Tag: Basilicata

Follow this itinerary to discover what to see in Matera in two days! Here is a guide to experiencing a weekend in Matera, including the most beautiful and exciting attractions.   Matera is located on a plateau in eastern Basilicata, a small region of southern Italy rich in landscapes, art, culture, archeology and good food. The small town is a regular stop for tourists from all over the world who want to spend a weekend in Matera to see the famous "Sassi", the ancient cave dwellings declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993, together with the Park of the Rupestrian Churches. The Sassi are a complex of dwellings carved into the limestone rock dating back to the prehistoric age, the old and suggestive neighborhoods of the city. Giovanni Pascoli and Carlo Levi, two great names in Italian literature of the 20th century have been attracted to Matera over the centuries. And even many Italian and foreign directors have chosen this location for their films. The list would be too long considering that it starts from the early 1950s and goes up to the present day. Just to mention a few titles, "Christ Stopped at Eboli" (Francesco Rosi); "The Man of Stars" (Giuseppe Tornatore); "The Passion of Christ" (Mel Gibson); "Ben Hur" (Timur Bekmanbetov); the fiction "Imma Tataranni", but also the most iconic "Wonder Woman" and "007".   Table of Contents What to see in Matera in 2 days Things to do in Matera Local Food and Wine How to get to Matera       The reason for so much interest is to be found in the feelings that Matera arouses, it seems as if you are suspended in time, enchanted by unique and natural landscapes such as the Parco della Murgia Materana, the architecture of historical buildings, churches

Are you traveling to Basilicata and wondering what to see and do in Matera? I'll help you! Follow me and let me take you on this trip around Matera in Italy.   Before we begin our virtual tour through Matera and its surroundings, it is necessary to make an introduction about this unique city! Where is Matera in Italy? Matera is located in Basilicata, specifically on the border between Basilicata and Puglia. It is furrowed by the Bradano River, which, in the late 1950s, was dammed up. This led to the formation of an artificial lake, called Lake San Giuliano, which is part of the San Giuliano nature reserve.   Visiting the Sassi di Matera Matera is known worldwide as the "city of the Sassi", but... What are the Sassi di Matera? They consist of ancient dwellings carved into the tuff and dating back to prehistoric times - a jewel that has come intact to this day! It is therefore easy to understand what a spectacular place it can be, where walking around the town is like visiting an open-air museum. The origins of Matera are indeed very ancient, as evidenced by the discovery of several nomadic settlements as far back as the Palaeolithic age. In the Neolithic period, settlements became more stable, so much so that there are clear traces of several villages dating back to that period. With the Metal Age, the first urban nucleus was created, that of today's Civita, probably of Greek origin. Today, the Sassi of Matera are recognised as a UNESCO heritage site, yet it was not always so... There was a time, before the 1950s, when the city was referred to as a "national disgrace", due to the disastrous situation in which the town was plunged. The population lived in very poor conditions.

Between relaxing walks and extreme sports, we take you to the lakes of Basilicata   In Southern Italy, between Puglia and Calabria, Basilicata is a popular summer holiday destination. With a total of 9,995 km², of which 30% are protected areas, Basilicata is a region dedicated to the conservation of its uncontaminated, mainly mountainous and hilly environment. The short stretch of Basilicata's coast extends with a clear blue sea between Campania's and Calabria's Tyrrhenian coasts. Larger beaches are located on the south-east area of the region, where the Ionian sea completes the panorama. Basilicata has got only two provinces: Potenza, the regional capital, and Matera, the "City of Sassi", famous all over the world for being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Matera was also the 2019 European Capital of Culture. Want to visit Basilicata? Take a look at all the food experiences and trips!   Basilicata residents are only 556,934. The region is in fact the third least populated region of Italy. Two national parks, two regional parks and six nature reserves give this region the merit of being a place to discover with all kinds of outdoor activities. People come from all over Italy to try the Angel Flight over the Lucanian Dolomites, to go rafting in the Mercure river or to relax on the shores of the magnificent lakes of Basilicata. Many lakes in Basilicata are artificial lakes, but they are equally fascinating to visit. Below you will find a short guide to the most famous lakes of Basilicata.   Monticchio Lakes At the foot of the Benedictine Saint Michael's Abbey, in the Vulture crater (an extinct volcano), we find two famous lakes of Basilicata: the Monticchio lakes. A strip of land separates the large lake from the small lake, framed by chestnut woods. An