Travel To Basilicata

Potenza is the capital of the region, with its rich history made evident through the main churches and monuments of the region, such as the Cattedrale di S. Gerardo and the Chiesa di S. Michele dating back to the 12th century, and Chiesa di S. Francesco and Chiesa di S. Maria del Sepolcro from the 13th century. Another centre of major attraction in Basilicata is Matera, famous for the caves where people used to live in dwellings created by cutting through the rock.

The regional economy is largely based on agriculture with crops of citrus fruits, grapes, olives, vegetables and cereals. Moreover, some typical local products such as mushrooms, truffles and medicinal plants are also becoming important sources of income, and sheep and goat farming is performed on a large-scale. Industrial development is limited, though there are still some flourishing crafts sectors, such as ceramics, woodwork and textiles.

The FIAT automobile plant at Melfi is one of the most modern in Europe and famous among industrial conglomerates. The Region produces hydroelectric energy and deposits of natural gas and oil were recently discovered, making Basilicata one of the most dynamic regions in the south of Italy.

Basilicata also boasts wines and foods that have been appreciated since ancient times. Among the finest products of the region are the sausages known as ucanica or luganega, which can be eaten fresh, cured, or preserved in oil. Then there are the soppressate, pork sausages dried and then preserved in extra virgin olive oil. Other treasures of the region are the “pezzenta“, made from slices of pork, and its many cheeses: pecorinomade from goat’s milk and casiddi and caciocavallo made from milk derived from from the Podolica breed of cows.

Basilicata also produces part of the Caciocavallo Silano DOP. Finally, also worth a mention are the manteca, a creamy pasta filata cheese with a filling of butter, and the burrino farcito, filled with butter and salame.

Basilicata produces one DOC wine of increasingly better quality. Historically, there were no native grapes in this region, and the now local Aglianico plant was actually brought over by the Greeks and, therefore, this grape was turned into wine long before many native varieties in the northern regions. The Greeks planted vines around the Mount Volture, from where some of the best Aglianico still comes today, and the DOC Aglianico del Volture, was named after the area.