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Basilicata, region of basilicata, basilicata region

Region of Basilicata

Location of Basilicata

Basilicata, also known by its historic name, Lucania, is situated in the 'Mezzogiorno', an area in the south of Italy renowned for its stress-free lifestyle, guaranteed sunshine, deliciously fresh food and excellent wine.

Find a hotel in Basilicata

Basilicata covers an area of 9,995 square kilometres but has a population of only 600,000 making it one of the least populated areas of Italy. Campania and Naples lie to the north west, Puglia to the north east and Calabria to the south.

Basilicata only has two provinces; Matera and Potenza. The capital of Basilicata is Potenza which is located in the northwest of the region.

Basilicata, region of basilicata, lucania, basilicata region
Matera

The other major town of Matera is well known as the site of the 'Sassi' cave dwellings, made famous by Carlo Levi in his book 'Christ Stopped at Eboli'. In Levi's time, the people in Aliano lived in abject poverty, many suffering from a host of crippling diseases including malaria. But since then, a lot of money has been invested in the region. The environment is clean, the houses are all well appointed, the shops plentiful and well stocked, and the infrastructure superior to many other parts of Italy.

Basilicata, region of basilicata, lucania, basilicata region
Maratea

The town of Maratea on the Tyrrhenian side of Basilicata is a popular, upmarket holiday destination for many Italians.

Description of Basilicata

The region is largely unspoilt and shepherds still stand at the roadside all day long, watching their flocks in the sunshine, while herds of goats and long-horned cattle roam idly down the country roads, sometimes only accompanied by dogs. It is an area where local culture and traditions have remained unchanged over centuries and where the people are intensely proud of their history and independence. It is easy to imagine that any change would be fiercely resisted.

Basilicata, region of basilicata, lucania, basilicata region

Attractions of Basilicata

The Basilicata countryside is very rich in natural beauty, and is surrounded by three National Parks: The Cilento, the Pollino and the Sila.

Basilicata, region of basilicata, lucania, basilicata region
The Cilento National Park
Basilicata, region of basilicata, lucania, basilicata region
The Pollino National Park
Basilicata, region of basilicata, lucania, basilicata region
The Sila National Park

These parks contain vast areas of unspoilt forest and spectacular views across the mountains where wolves, eagles and wild cats are plentiful. There are facilities for white water rafting, horse riding and trekking and a ski slope on Mount Sirino which is open during the winter months.

Basilicata, region of basilicata, lucania, basilicata region

The region lies between two coasts, the Ionian side of the Basilicata coast is to the east, which is largely flat and uninteresting, and the Tyrrhenian side of the Basilicata coast is to the west, and is extremely beautiful even by Italian standards. It is here that the upmarket resort of Maratea attracts large numbers of wealthy Italian tourists in the summer. The whole area is full of restaurants and Agriturismos, offering delicious local food and wine at ridiculously low prices as well as a comfortable bed for the night.

Basilicata, region of basilicata, lucania, basilicata region
Agriturismo

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Basilicata, region of basilicata, lucania, basilicata region

More Details

Flag of Basilicata
  • Regional Information

    • Area: 9,995 km²
      Population: 600,000
      Density: 59/km²
      Capital: Potenza

      National Parks:
      The Pollino National Park

Location of Basilicata
Provinces of Basilicata
  • Comunes of Basilicata
    • Matera (MT)
      • Accettura
        Aliano
        Bernalda
        Calciano
        Cirigliano
        Colobraro
        Craco
        Ferrandina
        Garaguso
        Gorgoglione
        Grassano
        Grottole
        Irsina
        Matera
        Miglionico
        Montalbano Jonico
        Montescaglioso
        Nova Siri
        Oliveto Lucano
        Pisticci
        Policoro
        Pomarico
        Rotondella
        Salandra
        San Giorgio Lucano
        San Mauro Forte
        Scanzano Jonico
        Stigliano
        Tricarico
        Tursi
        Valsinni

    • Potenza (PZ)
      • Abriola
        Acerenza
        Albano di Lucania
        Anzi
        Armento
        Atella
        Avigliano
        Balvano
        Banzi
        Baragiano
        Barile
        Bella
        Brienza
        Brindisi Montagna
        Calvello
        Calvera
        Campomaggiore
        Cancellara
        Carbone
        Castelgrande
        Castelluccio Inferiore
        Castelluccio Superiore
        Castelmezzano
        Castelsaraceno
        Castronuovo di Sant’Andrea
        Cersosimo
        Chiaromonte
        Corleto Perticara
        Episcopia
        Fardella
        Filiano
        Forenza
        Francavilla in Sinni
        Gallicchio
        Genzano di Lucania
        Ginestra
        Grumento Nova
        Guardia Perticara
        Lagonegro
        Latronico
        Laurenzana
        Lauria
        Lavello
        Maratea
        Marsico Nuovo
        Marsicovetere
        Maschito
        Melfi
        Missanello
        Moliterno
        Montemilone
        Montemurro
        Muro Lucano
        Nemoli
        Noepoli
        Oppido Lucano
        Palazzo San Gervasio
        Paterno
        Pescopagano
        Picerno
        Pietragalla
        Pietrapertosa
        Pignola
        Potenza
        Rapolla
        Rapone
        Rionero in Vulture
        Ripacandida
        Rivello
        Roccanova
        Rotonda
        Ruoti
        Ruvo del Monte
        San Chirico Nuovo
        San Chirico Raparo
        San Costantino Albanese
        San Fele
        San Martino d’Agri
        San Paolo Albanese
        San Severino Lucano
        Sant’Angelo Le Fratte
        Sant’Arcangelo
        Sarconi
        Sasso di Castalda
        Satriano di Lucania
        Savoia di Lucania
        Senise
        Spinoso
        Teana
        Terranova di Pollino
        Tito
        Tolve
        Tramutola
        Trecchina
        Trivigno
        Vaglio Basilicata
        Venosa
        Vietri di Potenza
        Viggianello
        Viggiano
Airports in Basilicata
Hotels in Basilicata
BASILICATAWEATHER
Basilicata Climate (Potenza)
  High Low Sun Rain
Jan 6 1 - 63
Feb 7 1 - 54
Mar 9 2 - 53
Apr 13 5 - 60
May 18 9 - 46
Jun 22 13 - 42
Jul 25 15 - 29
Aug 25 15 - 36
Sep 21 13 - 45
Oct 16 9 - 70
Nov 11 5 - 80
Dec 8 2 - 74
Table Key:
High - Average monthly high temperatures
Low - Average monthly low temperatures
Sun - Average hours of sunshine per day
Rain - Average monthly rainfall in mm
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