I murales depict the bond of the local people with nature; they tell of legends and ancient stories; they speak of traditional crafts; they testify to devotion and religious feeling.
These large works created on urban architectures are therefore indicative of a precise and careful attention to local history, in order to tell it through vibrant images of ever-increasing artistic quality, made with care to withstand the test of time, although exposed to atmospheric agents.
The Murals of the Melandro Valley
Visiting the Melandro Valley in Basilicata will allow the traveler to immerse themselves in a large open-air museum. This is in fact an area rich in particular and evident artistic expressions, represented by the numerous murals that appear on the walls of the buildings in the towns of the area. To appreciate creativity, tradition, and technique, one should visit the municipalities of Satriano di Lucania, Sant’Angelo Le Fratte and Savoia di Lucania, in the province of Potenza.
These three locations currently feature about 400 works, with an additional 40 murals nearing completion.
Murals Satriano di Lucania
A tour of the Melandro Valley in search of murals can only start from Satriano di Lucania (Pz), as this town hosts the largest number of this type of artwork: approximately 160 to date.
Since the 1980s, citizens and administrations have embraced this unique path of enhancement — both of buildings and of art and the very tradition of the town, told through images — allowing over time to refine techniques and conservation methods.
The activity nowadays sees an ever more vivid and renewed interest, even more so as it is coordinated by the Artistic Cultural Association “Arte per la Valle”.
Many artists since 1988 have contributed to the project, painting entire facades of houses and thus enhancing the entire territory.
Murals Sant’Angelo le Fratte
In the nearby municipality of Sant’Angelo le Fratte, works have also been created that tell of the connection of these places with the figure of Bishop Juan Caramuel, on apostolic mission here from 1657 to 1672. In particular, it is advisable to go to Via Cupa as some thematic works were made right here.
Finally, a stroll through the village of Savoia di Lucania will allow the visitor to take part in the creative process itself, appreciating the overall project: new paintings are currently being set up that will enrich the facades of the buildings in this location.
A tour of the Melandro Valley is therefore a unique opportunity to feel literally surrounded and immersed in ancient stories, depicted on entire buildings: certainly an exciting itinerary full of archaic charm.
Murals Savoia di Lucania
Also in Savoia di Lucania, the ancient Salvia, it is possible to appreciate this form of mural art. In this small Lucanian centre, the murals mainly tell the story of Passannante, the attacker of Umberto I who was born here. Among the narrow streets of the small village, one encounters colorful figures and history.
