Authentic Basilicata: between wild mountains, cave villages, and the flavors of Italy
Basilicata: a little-known gem in southern Italy
Nestled between Campaniaand Apulia and Calabria Calabria, Basilicata (or Lucania) is a region of Italy of raw, sincere beauty. Bordered by two seas - the Ionian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea - and traversed by rugged mountains, it offers a striking diversity of landscapes: troglodyte villages, wild beaches, ancient forests and fertile valleys.
Here, time seems to stand still. Ancestral traditions, rustic cuisine and warm hospitality make this a region still untouched by mass tourism.
Heritage and UNESCO sites
Impossible to mention Basilicata without mentioning Materathe famous Città dei Sassi. Its troglodytic houses carved into the limestone rock are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage since 1993. This exceptional site bears witness to a way of life dating back thousands of years, and today attracts artists, travellers and film-makers from all over the world.
Another natural gem: the primary beech forests of Pollino and Monte Sirinolisted by UNESCO as part of the "ancient forests of the Carpathians and other parts of Europe". These areas are home to rare biodiversity and illustrate the natural and spiritual strength of the region.
Gastronomy between sea and mountains
The cuisine of Basilicata reflects its identity: simple, rustic, yet full of character. Each dish tells the story of rural life, harvests and the generosity of a mountainous land.
Signature dishes
Pane di Matera PGI - durum wheat bread with a golden crust, a symbol of local know-how.
Pasta fatta a mano - homemade pasta (cavatelli, strascinati) served with tomato sauce and peperone crusco, dried and fried bell pepper.
Lucanica - pork sausage with herbs and spices, inherited from ancient Rome.
Agnello alla lucana - roasted or simmered lamb, flavoured with mountain herbs.
Baccalà alla lucana - cod with cruschi peppers, a must-have holiday dish.
Typical products
Peperoni cruschi - crunchy, tasty sun-dried red peppers.
Caciocavallo podolico - an intensely flavored cheese made from the milk of podolico cows.
Aglianico del Vulture DOC - deep red wine born on the volcanic slopes of Mount Vulture.
Nature and exceptional villages
Basilicata is a land of contrasts. Visit
On the Ionian coastthe beaches of Metaponto recall the Greek heritage of Magna Greciawhile the Tyrrhenian coast seduces with its cliffs and the beaches of Marateanicknamed the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian.
Visit hilltop villagessuch as Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosanestled in the Dolomiti lucaneoffer spectacular panoramas and a timeless atmosphere.
Basilicata: a land of soul and light
Between sea and mountains, Basilicata embodies the most authentic Italy. A discreet but fascinating region, where landscapes tell the story of mankind and gastronomy reveals the love of the land.
Whether strolling through the narrow streets of Materaenjoying a dish oflamb à la lucanaor watching the sun set over the mountains of Pollinoevery moment becomes a journey through time and the senses.
