Basilicata is a region that is steeped in history, with its architecture reflecting the influences of the ages. An example of this rich architectural heritage is the Cathedral of Matera, dating back to the 13th century and still standing proud at the highest point of the city. A few kilometres along the Appian Way from Matera is the so-called Sistine Chapel of Rupestrian Art, the Crypt of Original Sin, which features a 9th century series of frescoes painted on the walls of hollows in the limestone cliffs. Also in Matera is the Museum of Contemporary Sculpture, where modern day pieces are presented in contrast with the rock-hewn surroundings of the 16th century Palazzo Pomarici. In the north west of Basilicata lies the historic town of Melfi, once the capital of the Normans. Its cathedral was originally built in 1155 but only the bell tower has survived the numerous earthquakes over the centuries. It is now home to several works of art including a Byzantine icon of the Madonna. Nearby lie several other churches worth a visit, with impressive frescoes and sculptures spread among them - you could spend a full day touring here. A trip to Basilicata would not be complete without a visit to the Ghost Town of Craco, a small hilltop village which was abandoned after repeated earthquakes and landslides. The deserted town makes for an eerie guided tour (independent exploration is not permitted), and the town has been used as a backdrop for several films including Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ.
Basilicata isn't an area that you'll find listed in many tourism brochures. Tucked away in the far south of Italy at the southern end of the Apennines, it is a mainly inland region of timeless mountain villages and undeveloped forest wilderness. Much of the terrain is around 1,000m above sea level, with the Serra delle Ciavole at 2,127m the most notable mountain in Basilicata. The high scenery lends itself to walking, cycling, climbing and horse riding, with many paths both marked and unmarked winding through the forests before revealing breathtaking views. One of the most spectacular locations is the extinct volcano of Mount Vulture, whose two craters are now filled by the lakes Grande and Piccolo - two high stretches of water surrounded by thick, unspoiled vegetation. The many rivers and lakes of the region offer excellent rafting, canoeing, diving and fishing opportunities. It's not just about mountains though - for a change of scene, a brief journey will take you to Basilicata's short coastlines on the Ionian or Tyrrhenian seas where you can relax in quiet sandy coves well away from the tourist crowds. Basilicata is truly a land of "monte e mari" with something for everyone.
Basilicata in the far south of Italy is one of the country's most undeveloped areas, and is still relatively isolated. The area's cuisine reflects this by using almost exclusively local ingredients cooked simply but inventively, to produce delicious food that wastes nothing. Typical of this approach to food is the pezzanta salami that's unique to Basilicata, which combines various unfashionable varieties of pig offal flavoured with fennel, garlic and chilli. For less adventurous palates, the soppressata sausage uses similar spicings but with more usual cuts of pork. Wheat is widely grown, and the breads of Matera are famed countrywide, as are the Basilicatan speciality taralli and lingue biscuits. Another wheat product worth trying is strascinati, which unusually for a pasta is enriched with pork fat in much the same way that northern pasta uses eggs. The pasta is often served with a rich ragu of pork, lamb, or wild game from the Pollino Mountains. Peppers of all kinds feature strongly in Basilicata cooking, from sweet bell peppers to fiery chillis which are sun dried and crushed to make the hot flakes which are added to almost every dish. There isn't a great deal of well known wine produced in Basilicata, although one variety that's made its way to a wider audience is the excellent Agliano del Vulture DOC, a full bodied and rich red produced on the fertile slopes of the extinct volcano Monte Vulture, and this is also available aged in oak barrels when it is then known as Canneto. Both are worth seeking out for any wine lover visiting Basilicata.
A truly enchanting region of Southern Italy, Basilicata is a break away from the modern realities you are used to. This is a region for those who are looking for divine tranquillity and have a desire to find silence, scents, colours and flavours that are a far cry away from their everyday life. The mountains are covered in forest and lush vegetation and dotted in between this green blanket lie dozens of intriguing villages. Some of the highest localities are situated more than a kilometre above sea level and it is here where you will find the real heart of this mystical region. One of the predominant visiting points of Basilicata is Mount Vulture, an extinct volcano surrounded by a number of stunning bodies of water. Lakes Grande and Picolo are two alluring stretches of water which fill two of the craters around Mount Vulture. Combined with the fertile vegetation that surrounds these natural assets, this really is a picture perfect sight. For a good spot of sunshine, there's no better place to head than the famous resorts of Policoro and Metaponto for their lengthy, sandy beaches and myriad of Eucalyptus and Pinewood trees which give off a lovely refreshing scent. The town of Matera is thought to be one of the oldest in the world and dates back to the Palaeolithic era. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a strong contender for the European Capital of Culture recognition. Other places of interest include Melfi and Accettura.