Northwestern Basilicata

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The Province of Potenza occupies the western part of Basilicata, with the regional capital located in the northwest. The territory around Potenza is mostly hilly and mountainous, and features various small towns with some historic attractions. This area is also known for its natural environment and the beauty of its mountains.

Potenza

Potenza is the capital and largest city of Basilicata, located among the mountains in the northwest of the region. The city is the highest regional capital in Italy, with its old town placed on the highest altitude and the other neighborhoods on lower elevations. Potenza was founded in ancient times, and has been a small but important regional center throughout its history, under the Romans, Lombards, and Normans, and later as part of the Kingdom of Naples. The city became the capital of Basilicata in 1806, and houses some historic attractions and museums.

Potenza Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of San Gerardo (Cattedrale di San Gerardo)

The Potenza Cathedral (Duomo di Potenza) is the main church in the city, located in the old town. The church was built during the Late Middle Ages in Romanesque style over a previous building. The cathedral was later reworked with Neoclassical and Baroque additions, and was restored in the 20th century. Adjacent to the church is the Palazzo Vescovile, which was built between the 17th and 18th century and houses a Roman sarcophagus.

National Archaeological Museum of Basilicata

The National Archaeological Museum of Basilicata (Museo Archeologico Nazionale della Basilicata) is a museum in Potenza, hosted in the historic Palazzo Loffredo next to the cathedral. The museum houses numerous archaeological findings from all of Basilicata, with many objects dating from prehistory and the pre-Roman era.

Provincial Archaeological Museum of Potenza

The Provincial Archaeological Museum of Potenza (Museo Archeologico Provinciale di Potenza) is an archaeological museum located on the northern part of Potenza. Its collection includes several objects unearthed around the city and dating from prehistory to the Roman age.

Vaglio Basilicata

Vaglio Basilicata is a tiny town in Basilicata, located east of Potenza. This area has been inhabited since ancient times, but the modern town emerged in the Middle Ages.

Museum of the Ancient Peoples of Lucania

The Museum of the Ancient Peoples of Lucania (Museo delle Antiche Genti di Lucania) is a museum in Vaglio Basilicata. Its collection includes many archaeological findings unearthed in Basilicata, but also a portrait of Leonardo da Vinci from the 15th or 16th century.

Acerenza

Acerenza is a small town located on top of a mountain northeast of Potenza. Founded in ancient times, it was an important stronghold in the Middle Ages, and now it is known for its beautiful old town.

Acerenza Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta e San Canio Vescovo (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta e San Canio Vescovo)

The Acerenza Cathedral (Duomo di Acerenza) is a large Romanesque church erected in Acerenza between the 11th and 13th century. The church was later reworked, but it retains most of its imposing medieval appearance. Inside, the cathedral houses various artworks and a decorated crypt.

Genzano di Lucania

Genzano di Lucania is a small town located among the hills northeast of Potenza. While it houses some historic attractions, the main landmark of its territory is a castle in the countryside east of the town.

Monteserico Castle

The Monteserico Castle is a medieval castle located in the countryside east of Genzano di Lucania. The castle was built around the 11th century and was later destroyed and rebuilt. The small fort is placed on top a hill and offers a great view on the nearby hills.

Castel Lagopesole

Castel Lagopesole is a small town north of Potenza, part of the municipality of Avigliano. An important fortified position during the Middle Ages, in the 13th century it hosted one of the residences of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. The town later declined, but it is still known for its historic castle.

Lagopesole Castle

The Lagopesole Castle is a medieval castle located on the highest part of the town of Castel Lagopesole. The castle was built in the 13th century under the rule of Frederick II, and remained a royal residence for decades, but later declined. Now restored, the castle is still well preserved and hosts a museum and cultural exhibitions.

Venosa

Venosa is a town in northern Basilicata, located east of the Vulture massif. Inhabited since ancient times, it was an important center under the Romans, and the birthplace of poet Horace. During the Middle Ages, the city was sacked various times, but remained relevant as a cultural center for centuries. Venosa is now known for its beautiful old town, and for hosting various historic landmarks.

Abbey of Santissima Trinità

The Abbey of Santissima Trinità (Abbazia della Santissima Trinità) is a religious complex located at the eastern edge of Venosa. Founded during the Middle Ages over some older structures, the site was reworked and expanded several times. The complex includes a Romanesque church that houses the tombs of various Norman nobles and some ancient frescoes. Adjacent to this building is the Incompiuta, an unfinished church that was built in the Late Middle Ages but never completed. The abbey is part of the Archaeological Park of Venosa (Parco Archeologico di Venosa), which also features the ruins of various Roman structures, including an amphitheater and a building with a large mosaic.

Aragonese Castle

The Aragonese Castle is a 15th-century castle in Venosa, which was later turned into a noble residence. The fort features four imposing towers and it is surrounded by a now-drained moat. Inside, it hosts the National Archaeological Museum of Venosa (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Venosa), which houses many objects unearthed around the town and dating between prehistory and the Middle Ages.

Rapolla

Rapolla is a small town located on the slopes of Mount Vulture, an extinct volcano in northern Basilicata. The town has a long history, and it is known for its beautiful old town and for the production of wine.

Rapolla Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta)

The Rapolla Cathedral (Cattedrale di Rapolla) is a Romanesque church, and the main religious site in Rapolla. The church was built during the 13th century, and features a beautiful facade with a decorated portal, while inside it houses some artworks.

Melfi

Melfi is a town located just north of Mount Vulture, in northern Basilicata. Inhabited since ancient times, it emerged in the Late Middle Ages, and was the capital of the Norman County of Apulia and Calabria for a few decades. Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II proclaimed the Constitutions of Melfi, a new legal code, from this city during the 13th century. The importance of the town later declined, and now it is mainly an industrial center, but still features various historic attractions.

✪ Melfi Castle

The Melfi Castle is an imposing medieval castle erected by the Normans in the 11th century. This was for centuries one of the main forts in the region, serving as the seat of the County of Apulia and Calabria and also hosting various ecumenical councils. The castle was expanded under the rule of Frederick II and was later reworked again, but its importance declined. The structure is well preserved, and features many towers and fortifications. The castle now hosts the National Archaeological Museum of Melfi (Museo Archeologico Nazionale del Melfese), which houses various prehistoric archaeological findings unearthed around the town, and also artworks and objects from the Middle Ages and the modern era. The most notable artwork of the museum is an elaborate decorated Roman sarcophagus dating from the 2nd century.

Melfi Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta)

The Melfi Cathedral (Duomo di Melfi) is the main church in the city, originally erected in Romanesque style between the 11th and 12th century. The church was reworked in Baroque style during the 18th century, while the medieval bell tower retains its original appearance. Inside, the church houses various artworks and some relics. Adjacent to the cathedral is the Palazzo del Vescovado, which houses an art gallery and a museum of religious objects.

Walls of Melfi

Melfi was once surrounded by a series of defensive walls erected during the Middle Ages. Only a few sections of these walls now survive, with the most notable and best preserved part being Porta Venosina, a former city gate with an adjacent cylindrical tower.

Monticchio

Monticchio is a hamlet located on the slopes of Mount Vulture in Basilicata, divided between the municipalities of Rionero in Vulture and Atella. Inhabited since ancient times, it is known for its beautiful natural environment.

Monticchio Lakes

The Monticchio Lakes (Laghi di Monticchio) are two small lakes of volcanic origin located on Mount Vulture, near Monticchio. On the slopes of the mountain just east of the lakes is the Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo (Abbazia di San Michele Arcangelo), an abbey founded in the 8th century. Reworked several times, the complex now houses a museum dedicated to local natural history.

Sasso di Castalda

Sasso di Castalda is a tiny town located among the mountains of Basilicata, southwest of Potenza. It is known for its beautiful old town and gorgeous natural environment.

Ponte alla Luna

The Ponte alla Luna (“Bridge to the Moon”) is a system of simple suspension bridges that connects two mountains in Sasso di Castalda. The main bridge is 300 meters long and is suspended 100 meters above a deep gorge. A great view on the surrounding mountains can be enjoyed while crossing the bridge.

Pietrapertosa

Pietrapertosa is a small town located in central Basilicata, among the mountains southeast of Potenza. Inhabited since ancient times, it is known for its beautiful old town.

Pietrapertosa Castle

The Pietrapertosa Castle is a fortress erected by the Normans around the 11th century and later reworked. The castle is now ruined, having been abandoned in the 17th century, but it has been partly restored. Next to the castle is the starting point of Volo dell’Angelo (“Angel Flight”), one of the longest and highest zip lines in the world, which connects Pietrapertosa with the nearby town of Castelmezzano.