Basilicata - the sole of Italy
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14/04/2011 15:49:00
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Basilicata Ionian Coast
Hidden in the foot of Italy is an area that encapsulates elements of the Mediterranean and North Africa and is full of rich historical artefacts. The region is arid and mountainous with two coastlines, one on the Tyrrhenian Sea and the other on the Gulf of Taranto in the Ionian Sea.
| The region is split into two provinces, Potenza (which is the regional capital) and Matera. The area’s rich and often turbulent history has left scars and remnants which enable the visitor to take a journey back in time to the Greek and Roman time. There are noteworthy examples of medieval art in Venosa and Cerenza as well as architecture with Arab-Byzantine and French influences in Matera, Melfi and Lagopesole. | |
| There are several museums with excellent exhibitions featuring unique relics such as the Provincial Archaeological Museum of Potenza; the Ridola National Museum in Matera which includes Paleolithic and Neolithic relics. There is also a magnificent display of painting attributed to the Neapolitan school of the seventeenth and eighteenth century. |  |
| A MUST SEE in the area are the Sassi di Matera, prehistoric stone cave ‘houses’, which are reputed to have been some of the first inhabited dwellings on the Italian peninsula. | |
| Getting there: BY AIR – the area is easily accessible by car or train from Naples which would be the nearest international airport. BY TRAIN – the area is accessible using the Napoli-Reggio Calabria line. Useful links: Basilicata Regional Tourist Board Italian Tourist Board Italian Railways |
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Cindy
www.gofastek.com
www.roawatches.com
Pebbles
www.joeydavila.net
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