Provinces of Basilicata: authentic travel between Matera and Potenza
The provinces of Basilicatanestled between Apulia, Campania and Calabria, form an unspoilt region of southern Italy. A land of history, mountains and flavors, the Basilicata (or Lucania) is divided into two provinces: Materafamous for its UNESCO-listed troglodyte dwellings, and Potenzathe regional capital dominated by the Pollino and Sirino peaks.
Between heritage, wilderness and gastronomy, each province reveals a unique facet of this authentic region.
The province of Matera: troglodyte towns and local flavours
The cultural heart of the region province of Matera thanks to its capital, Materaa UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. Its famous Sassitroglodytic quarters carved out of the limestone rock, offer a fascinating spectacle: a labyrinth of alleyways, stairways and rock churches where time seems suspended.
Elected European Capital of Culture 2019the city symbolizes the renaissance of southern Italy and attracts travelers from all over the world.
But the province of Matera is more than just the city. The arid plateaus of the Murgia Materanathe fertile valleys of the Bradano and the Ionian beaches of Metapontoinherited from the Magna Greciareveal a land where culture and nature unite.
Typical flavours of Matera :
Pane di Matera IGP, with its rustic, authentic taste,
Crunchy peperoni cruschi,
Lucanica, a traditional sausage inherited from Rome,
Baccalà alla lucana, a festive cod dish.
The province of Potenza: mountains, forests and hilltop villages
Larger and more mountainous, the province of Potenza is the kingdom of wild landscapes. Home to the Pollino National ParkNational Park Monte Sirino and the Dolomiti Lucane - perfect natural gems for nature lovers.
The Pollino beech forestsare a rare ecosystem where biodiversity has survived without human intervention for centuries.
The hilltop villages of Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosaclinging to the cliffs of the Dolomiti Lucane, are among the most beautiful in Italy. Further south, Maratea and its statue of Christ the Redeemer dominate the Tyrrhenian Sea, offering a breathtaking panorama.
Typical Potenza flavours:
Caciocavallo podolico, a strong-tasting mountain cheese,
Agnello alla lucana, lamb simmered with herbs,
Strascinati, traditional handmade pasta,
Aglianico del Vulture DOC, an emblematic volcanic red wine.
Basilicata: a land of a thousand faces
The troglodytic caves of Matera to the mountains of Potenzathe provinces of Basilicata embody the diversity and richness of southern Italy.
It's a land where farming traditions meet spirituality, where gastronomy tells the story of the land, and where Lucan hospitality remains intact.
Travelling in Basilicata means discovering an authentic Italy, far from the beaten track, a blend of culture, nature and art of living. culture, nature and art of living.
