Basilicata Review
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Basilicata Review is a guide to the southern Italian region of Basilicata. The site aims to bring some of the region's hidden gems to life with photos and descriptions that will hopefully inspire people to visit this relatively forgotten region which is just waiting to be discovered.
The number one visitor destination in Basilicata is without a doubt the city of Matera. Celebrated in the world of film and also by UNESCO, its Rupestrian churches and Sassi now draw visitors from all over the world. Matera is quite a unique sight and largely atypical of Basilicata but it does share some traits with the evocative ghost town of Craco which has also featured on the big screen. In terms of sightseeing, Basilicata scores most heavily with its Hill Towns and slightly smaller Borghi. Among the most famous hill towns are Melfi with its medieval centre and Venosa with its Aragonese Castle in the town centre. Another charming feature of Basilicata's landscape is the proliferation of quirky hillside villages such as Pietrapertsosa, Rivello and Muro Lucano. |
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Basilicata's slightly unusual geographic layout means that it has two coastlines; the first and longest of those is the Ionian Coast where you'll find a series of beach resorts, while over on the Tyrrhenian Coast there's the town of Maratea which is the region's best-known seaside resort. Maratea can also boast the imposing Statua del Cristo Redentore, not quite as large or famous as its counterpart in Rio de Janeiro but situated at the top of a seemingly impossible road and affording some of the best views the region can offer.
The locations mentioned above just give a slight taste of what to expect from Basilicata but there's much more to find and be fascinated by with some further investigation. I've packed as many of the most interesting sights in the region throughout the site and I hope you find Basilicata Review to be a useful resource when planning a trip here.
Dion Protani: founder of Basilicata Review.
The locations mentioned above just give a slight taste of what to expect from Basilicata but there's much more to find and be fascinated by with some further investigation. I've packed as many of the most interesting sights in the region throughout the site and I hope you find Basilicata Review to be a useful resource when planning a trip here.
Dion Protani: founder of Basilicata Review.
Basilicata Highlights
Basilicata In - FocusMatera is situated on the eastern side of Basilicata, close to the regional border with Puglia.
In recent years the city has become the number one tourist destination in Basilicata after seminal moments such as being listed in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites (1993) and its appearance in several Hollywood films including Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" in 2004. Previous to this, the city had spent many years in the doldrums and was considered among Italy's most poverty-stricken. |
Matera
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These days tourists flock to see Matera's "Sassi", the ancient town that dates back to the Troglodyte period around 10BC, making it one of the oldest cities in the world. This fascinating area is a honeycomb of tight, narrow streets where no two houses appear to be the same size or shape, creating a mysterious overall visual effect. The other big attraction of Matera is its Rupestrian Churches. Carved out of the city's limestone rock, these churches built inside caves are unlike any you'll find elsewhere and also serve to tell the story of Matera's incredible history.
Other places to visit include the beautiful and recently renovated Cathedral which dates back to the 13th century while the square that surrounds it, Piazza Duomo is one of the best spots from which to view the Sassi. Also of interest is the Parco della Murgia Materana which lies just to the side of the city and forms part of the complex where the Rupestrian Churches are situated.
You can reach Matera by the usual means of public transport including the train. Although most visitors head for the Sassi there is also a much more modern side to the city which is interesting to visit in its own right. This is after all an important administrative location being the capital of the eponymous province and the second most populous city in Basilicata after Potenza.
Other places to visit include the beautiful and recently renovated Cathedral which dates back to the 13th century while the square that surrounds it, Piazza Duomo is one of the best spots from which to view the Sassi. Also of interest is the Parco della Murgia Materana which lies just to the side of the city and forms part of the complex where the Rupestrian Churches are situated.
You can reach Matera by the usual means of public transport including the train. Although most visitors head for the Sassi there is also a much more modern side to the city which is interesting to visit in its own right. This is after all an important administrative location being the capital of the eponymous province and the second most populous city in Basilicata after Potenza.
THINGS TO SEE IN BASILICATAThis is the section where I've showcased the very best of Basilicata, featuring hill towns such as Melfi, seaside towns like Maratea, the region's parks and archaeological sites including Metaponto.
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BASILICATA ACCOMMODATIONIf you've decided to visit Basilicata you'll probably need a place to stay. You can use the Booking.com search engine for Basilicata Hotels with a wide variety of accommodation to choose from.
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