What to see and what to do in Potentino

Originally from the 13th century and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Assumption, it was later named after St. Gerard, patron saint of Potenza. It was rebuilt in the 18th century by Magri, a student of Vanvitelli and thus transformed from a Romanesque basilica to three naves to a neoclassical building.

The Provincial Archaeological Museum was established in 1901 thanks to the research of Inspector Michele Lacava. The collection was enriched with materials found during the excavations of Garaguso and Latronico. Over the years the structure was closed several times and inaugurated again. Since 1997, the Museum has been open to the public, and is part of a museum system, together with the Provincial Art Gallery and the Covo degli Arditi.

The only Roman villa recovered in the Potenza territory is that of Malvaccaro. Researched to light right in the center of Potenza, it presents the remains of beautiful colored mosaics.

At the top of Lagopesole there is a castle, attributed to Frederick II and probably built between 1242 and 1250. In the courtyard of the castle of Lagopesole, the scene of the Sanhedrin of the film The Gospel According to Matthew (1964) by Pier Paolo Pasolini was shot. The director used non-professional actors chosen among the population of the medieval village.

The Museum of Peasant Civilization in Lavello was built by the CIDIS Social Cooperative in 1994. Inside there are objects that were used by farmers until the last century. The Museum is divided into two different rooms: one of the objects of the peasant house and the other of works on the fields.

The National Archaeological Museum of Basilicata was inaugurated in 2005 in Potenza. The museum offers a general picture of the archaeological findings of the entire region of Basilicata and a greater study on the oldest history of the territory of Potenza. The exhibition is divided into two floors and follows a chronological and geographical order.

The Pantano di Pignola Regional Reserve is considered a protected area since 1984. The area has an area of 155 hectares, surrounded by peaks that reach 1000 meters in height. The vegetation is characterized by trees with a hygrophilous matrix and the plunge, which is a symbol of the Oasis. The reserve is open all year round.

The name of Castello Federiciano takes the name of the one who built the building in the eleventh century, mainly used as a military structure. In the area it is more known as The Castle of Lagopesole, due to the lake near the castle. The style is clearly Romanesque and, inside, we also find a church.

The Castle of Lavello was erected during the Norman era by Lord Arnolino. During the fire in 1298, the castle was seriously damaged. Between the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries the building was restored by the Del Balzo-Orsini. Today, the castle is in excellent condition and inside is the headquarters of the Town Hall and a small Museum.

The Guevara Tower was built in the 9th AD century, and was part of the Castle. In 1980, the structure was partially destroyed due to a strong earthquake. Subsequently, the tower underwent restoration work that brought it back to its former glory. The structure has a height of twenty meters, and is currently home to an art gallery and the Lucan association of astronomy.

The temple dedicated to San Gerardo, patron saint of the city, was created by the potent artist Michele Basciolano. The work, according to the epigraph located to the right of the statue of the saint, was completed in 1865 and depicts a Neo-Renaissance bust of San Gerardo della Porta, bishop of the city of Potenza from 1111 to 1119