This land of Lucania boasts an ancient territorial identity. Today’s inhabitants descend from the population of the same name that settled here in the fifth century BC. The place-name “Lucano” handed down over the centuries, is still used today to reaffirm the deep links this race has with its historical-cultural roots: the Lucana land still reminds of important events and glorious eras. There was a time when it was a flourishing land, with cities filled with unique monuments and architecture; but it has also witnessed decadence and poverty. For centuries it was subjected to man’s injustice and the ravages of nature. A wild, harsh land in the mountains, mild and gentle in the hills, it exists in contrast and from contrasts draws its best points. Ten thousand square kilometers with six hundred and forty thousand inhabitants, bathed by two seas and crossed by five rivers, dotted with lakes, springs, artificial and natural basins, it is a succession of secular forests and green pastures. Covered by the Mediterranean scrub on the hills sloping down to the sea, proud and threatening in the Dolomite area, it is magnanimous and generous along the coast, in that crystalline sea always blessed by the warmth of the sun.
Potenza
It is the highest regional capital in Italy (819 m) and often appears smothered by the number of new areas that have sprung up over the last twenty years. The old centre lies around Via Pretoria and was the hardest hit by the 1980 earthquake; it has several outstanding churches, many of which are now being restored. The city, which dates from ancient times, has always had an arduous existence. Some 20 km from Potenza lies the district of Serra di Vaglio. The earliest nucleus of the town, it was founded in the 11th century BC and later destroyed by the Romans. In the 4th century BC, the surviving inhabitants of Serra di Vaglio moved to the area of the modern-day town. By the end of the 3rd century BC, Potenza was on the list of Roman prefectures: Potentia, Grumentum and Atena were assigned to the Pomptinia tribe. In the 5th century AD, Potenza was invaded by the Visigoths; around 568 the Lombards of Alboin appeared and some years later Potenza was annexed to the Duchy of Benevento. Between the end of the 5th century and the beginning of the 6th century there already existed a diocese of Potenza, which was directly subject to the Holy Roman See until Acerenza became a metropolis. With the foundation of the Norman monarchy the ancient Lombard stronghold acquired major importance. The Normans and Hohenstaufen of Swabia were united by the marriage of Constance d’Altavilla with Henry VI, son of Frederick Barbarossa. Their son Frederick II restored all the fortifications in Puglia and Basilicata and had new constructions made. In 1231, after having devastated Potenza, the Emperor promulgated the Constitutiones Augustales from Melfi Castle. On 18 December 1273 Potenza was razed to the ground by an earthquake. At the end of the 14th century Potenza passed into the hands of the Sanseverino family, who in the struggle between the lords of Durazzo and the Angevins took sides with the latter. After Alfonso of Aragon’s entry into Naples, the population of Potenza acknowledged the new sovereign and the town declined into a small provincial centre. Potenza reappeared in the chronicles of the Kingdom when it was struck by another earthquake in 1694. In 1806, Potenza became the capital of Basilicata by Napoleonic decree. In 1868 work began on the construction of the Potenza-Napoli and Melfi-Pietragalla roads. The railway between Potenza and Salerno was opened in 1880. In 1843 the first plan was approved for the town’s expansion southwards. In September 1943 Potenza was bombed and a reconstruction plan was needed. On 14 December 1966, a new plan approved the construction of an industrial zone. On 23 November 1980 the city was once more struck by an earthquake and reconstruction began again.
LITERARY PRIZE
The town has an important national role in Italian culture: the famous ‘Premio Letterario Basilicata’ (Literary Prize) is awarded at the beginning of December. There is also the ‘Maggio Potentino’ (May Festival) with its characteristic Parade of the Turks.
SIGHTSEEING
The town has many interesting sights and a visit is highly recommended. These are some of the principal landmarks:
CATHEDRAL OF S. GERARDO:
dating from 1197 but rebuilt in the 18th century, it still has the original rose window in the façade and the apse.
CHURCH OF THE TRINITA’:
13th century but restored in 1975 in Neoclassical style; paintings by Pietrafesa are in the Provincial Museum.
CHURCH OF S. FRANCESCO:
bears witness to local art with evidence of Catalonian influence due to the presence of Spanish artists in Naples. Particularly fine are the Durazzo-style doorways and the carved wooden door (1499). More sober is the cloister doorway, while a third doorway into the presbytery is also Durazzo in style. The church houses the 16th century marble tomb of Donato of Grasiis, which has affinities with an earlier Neapolitan form.
CHURCH OF S. MARIA DEL SEPOLRCO:
13th century building on the site of a former oratory of the Templars. It has been restored but preserves the original triumphal arch. You can also admire a local-style statue of the Archangel Michael and a fine marble bas-relief of the Madonna with Child and Angels (probably late 14th century.
PROVINCIAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM:
objects and finds from all over the region. Local links with the Greek colonies are obvious. The Museum is pleasant and interesting to visit even for those with no specialized knowledge.
STATE ARCHIVE:
a visit to the Archive will complete your overall view of the region. The Archive contains documents from the 14th century onwards, including some 600 parchments.
SCALA DEL POPOLO:
a characteristic flight of steps.
Matera
The provincial capital of the Basilicata region (55,000 inhabitants) lies in the hills at a height of about 400 m above sea level. It is an extremely ancient town which originally rose on a prehistoric settlement, exhibits from which can be seen in the local museum. Both tourists and scholars will find much of interest here besides the charming appearance of the older part of the town, where you can admire the Cathedral and the old Castle. Then there is a medieval and Renaissance part of the town. Here you will find the most important monuments and the most interesting churches, which reflect a rich variety of architectural styles. Lastly there is the new town, on the higher surrounding areas.
MONUMENTS
Here is a short list of the most interesting monuments:
CATHEDRAL
Built in the 13th century in the Romanesque style typical of Puglia. The façade has a precious rose window made of stone showing the wheel of life, as well as statues of saints; on the right side there are two portals and one window, all finely decorated. The cathedral interior has three aisles that are divided by a majestic colonnade. Of particular interest are the 15th century wooden choir, a Renaissance chapel, a manger and an altar-piece, all carved in stone by Altobello Persio and his son Giulio; you will also see the fragment of 13th century fresco depicting the Madonna della Bruna, the patron saint of the town.
CHURCH OF GIOVANNI BATTISTA
Completed in 1233, this church preserves the vigorously impressive characteristics of Romanesque art in its beautiful stone decorations. Most of the remarkable capitals are original, as are the external decorations on the portal and the window in the apse.
CHURCH OF S. FRANCESCO D’ASSISI
During the 17th century, the Angevin-Gothic foundations of the church were covered by rich Baroque decorations which can be seen on the monumental façade and, on the inside, by a profusion of stuccoes, paintings and wooden artefacts. Of particular interest is the poliptych by Lazzaro Bastiani, which was dismantled and reassembled over the chancel.
THE TRAMONTANO CASTLE
This stands on the hill overlooking the city. An unfinished building dating from the late 15th century, it was built by the tyrannical Count Tramontano, who was killed in a popular revolt on his way out of the Cathedral in 1515 in the side street still known as “Via del Riscatto”, or “Street of Vengeance”.
