Frederick II was fascinated by this land. Proof of this are the various castles, especially in the northern area of Basilicata, particularly in the Vulture area, which still today recall the life of times gone by. Although used as hunting reserves, today they represent one of many reasons to discover this land, rich in charm and mystery, unknown to the inattentive eye but captivating. Ancient Lucania, in reality, covered a much larger area so much so that to the west it extended over the entire Cilento, an area reminiscent in customs, traditions, and territory very much of Basilicata.
History has erased some borders but gifted many other stories, such as the notorious uprisings of the bandits which today, thanks to careful research, are reenacted in a unique open-air show, “la Storia Bandita,” with hundreds of performers acting in the forest of Grancia, featuring stage effects worthy of high cinematic fiction.
The reenactments blend well with the rest of the landscape which, morphologically, does not tire those eager to explore, with its two seas (Ionian and Tyrrhenian) that recognize Maratea as the “queen” location, with both artificial and natural lakes of very ancient and volcanic origins, such as those of Monticchio in Vulture, followed by plains and mountains, rivers and ravines. In one of these ravines stands Matera, whose charm as a remote land is highlighted by the “Sassi,” tuff houses strictly protected by UNESCO.
Whether to emulate angels or hawks that for centuries have been in perfect symbiosis with the surrounding nature in the land of Basilicata, here emerges the “flight of the Angel,” a tourist attraction that allows you to fly over the Lucanian Dolomites at over a thousand meters altitude.
Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa, the two gems of the Lucanian Dolomites (so called because they resemble the much more famous northern peaks), welcome tourists throughout the summer who, driven by an adventurous spirit or a love of nature, can fly over the two villages with just a harness thanks to a cable connecting the highest points of the settlements. Finally, the food and wine culture, the pride of this land, poor but dignified, hospitable, and still little trodden and globalized. The tables are laden with cheese (strictly pecorino), salami (well known is the luganega which originated here and is still prepared in most Lucanian homes), peppers (original and unique are the “cruschi” ones), beans (notably those recognized from Sarconi), homemade pasta (cavatelli, fusilli, orecchiette).
All washed down with the “Aglianico del Vulture” wine much praised by Horace, who was born in this land, a full-bodied and delightful nectar on the palate, perfect to enjoy with meats and game.
