Of all of Italy’s regions that of Basilicata is arguably the least well known. Found in the arch of Italy’s “boot”, it is a small region with a coastline between Campania and Calabria on the Tyrrhenian sea and a larger one on the Gulf of Taranto.
For one of Basilicata’s attractions, the coastal town of Maratea is a piece of beachside bliss just south of the more famous Amalfi coast and yet more protected from tourist crowds. It has a great statue of Jesus atop its mountain to rival that of Rio de Janiero.
The rugged mountain ranges of Basilicata have a wide variety of cultural and scenic cycling routes that have been well documented by the local council. The Maratea to Rotonda route, for instance, begins in the beach area of Maratea, dips into two valleys, and finishes at the base of the Pollino National Park. Another variation passes the point where Spartacus was believed to have been killed.
For a slice of pre-history, the “Sassi” in the town of Matera are ancient Paleolithic rock homes. They are listed as part of UNESCO’s cultural world heritage and the town of Matera was used by Mel Gibson for the film The Passion of the Christ for its likeness to ancient Jerusalem.
An integral part of southern Italy are the traditional festivals and Basilicata region is no exception. One particular celebration is the marriage of the trees, an agricultural-based festival particularly strong in the village of Accettura. It’s a good excuse to also delve into more of Basilicata region’s “slow food” style.