Basilicata

The exact origin of the word "Basilicata" is unclear. It is possible that it comes from a Greek word, "basilikos" (Greek: βασιλικός).

At some point in its history, Basilicata was known as Lucania .

Throughout much of the 1940s, Basilicata was an impoverished, poorly developed region. The region suffered from great poverty, there was a dearth of food, illiteracy was common, and suffered from high child mortality rates. Many residents had no access to water or electricity and there was widespread discontent. Alcide De Gasperi, Italy's prime minister at the time, once slammed the slums of Matera as a "national disgrace".

It wasn't until the 1950s that things began to change for the better. With money pouring in from the Marshall Plan, Alcide De Gasperi then embarked on an aggressive, controversial campaign to rapidly develop the region. In the years to follow, Matera became the region's most well-known city and in 2019 it became the European Capital of Culture.

Even though the region has great tourism potential, it is one of the least visited, least developed, and least populated areas in Italy; the region has some of the highest poverty and migration rates in Italy, and the fact that the local government doesn't do much to promote the region means that most tourists who visit Italy don't know about what all this beautiful region has to offer. This aside, the Lucanians are quite friendly and helpful and are happy with what they have.

• Basilicata tourism website

Bari-Palese International Airport (BRI ^IATA) is 64 km distant from Matera and is linked to the town by the regional bus company COTRAB. This airport is the best choice to reach the eastern-Ionian area of Basilicata, while Naples International Airport (NAP ^IATA) is the best option to exploring the western-Tyrrhenian area of the region. The Autolinee Liscio bus company provides linking from the Naples International Airport to the regional capital Potenza (170 km) in about two hours.

It is possible to reach Potenza from Rome in about 5 hours with one change at Salerno station, using the trains of the national operator. Ferrovie Appulo Lucane is a regional operator that provides connections from Potenza and Matera to Bari, but the trip can be quite long and sometimes uncomfortable since the service is far from efficient.

Three autostrade (toll roads) can be used to reach Basilicata from other parts of Italy:

• A2 — Motorway of the Mediterranean Sea, links Salerno to Reggio Calabria passing through the area of the Pollino National Park (southern part of the region). It has a ramification that directly connects Potenza to Salerno
• A14 — Adriatic Motorway, links Bologna to Taranto passing near Matera and Metaponto
• A16 — Motorway of the Two Seas, links Naples to Canosa passing near Melfi and the Vulture area

For more information you can check the website of Autostrade per l'Italia.

• Grumento Nova — Archeological park of the Roman city of Grumentum.
• Metaponto — Well preserved remains of the ancient Greek city of .
• Rupestrian Churches of Matera — A high number of troglodyte churches excavated in the rock during the early Middle Ages (UNESCO World Heritage).
• Policoro — Remains of the Greek city of Herakleia.
• Venosa — Paleolithic park of Notarchirico, remains of the Roman city of and .

• Castle of Lagopesole in Avigliano.
• Castle of Cancellara
• Castle of Lavello
• Castello Tramontano in Matera.
• Castello del Malconsiglio in Miglionico.
• Castle of Muro Lucano
• Castle of Valsinni
• Aragonese Castle in Venosa.

• Exhibition venue of Palazzo De Lieto in Maratea
• Exhibition venue of Palazzo Ducale in Tricarico
• Museum-Workshop of the Peasant Culture in Matera.
• National Archaeological Museum of Alta Val d'Agri
• National Archaeological Museum of Basilicata "Dinu Adamesteanu" in Potenza.
• National Archaeological Museum "Domenico Ridola" in Matera
• National Archaeological Museum of Melfese "Massimo Pallottino"
• National Archaeological Museum of Metaponto
• National Archaeological Museum of Muro Lucano
• National Archaeological Museum of Siritide in Policoro.
• National Archaeological Museum of Venosa
• National Museum of medieval and modern art in Matera

Approximately the 30% of Basilicata's total area is occupied by nature reserves. Here are the most relevant ones:

• Abetina di Laurenzana Regional reserve — Oasis rich of fauna such as the Italian wolf.
• | Appennino Lucano-Val d'Agri-Lagonegrese National Park — a 70,000 hectare protected area in the heart of Apennines.
• Murgia Materana Regional Park — Characterized by the presence of rupestrian churches surrounded by the impervious territory of the Murge plateau (UNESCO World Heritage).
• Pantano di Pignola Lake — A WWF oasis near Potenza.
• Pollino National Park — With peaks that reach the heights of 2.260 meters, it is the largest national park of Italy and an UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Regional park of Gallipoli Cognato e Piccole Dolomiti Lucane
• San Giuliano Lake Regional reserve — A WWF oasis ideal for birdwatching.
• Volcanic Lakes of Monticchio Regional reserve — Two small likes situated under the Mount Vulture and surrounded by a dense forest.

Check for a detailed map of Basilicata's natural protected areas:

• Acerenza — Town of ancient Greek origins with a remarkable cathedral. One of Italy's most beautiful villages.
• Aliano — Surrounded by the striking landscape of "calanchi" (badlands), it is famous for having being the home of Carlo Levi during his exile in the fascist period.
• Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa — Two of Italy's most beautiful villages, both located in the heart of Basilicata's Apennines.
• Guardia Perticara — Fascinating medieval town in the Val d'Agri territory, one of Italy's most beautiful villages.
• Rotondella — Known as the "Balcony of the Ionian Sea", it is perched on a hill with an amazing view over the Gulf of Taranto.
• — One of the best preserved medieval historic centers of the region.
• Viggianello — Enchanting town surmounted by the massif of Pollino. One of Italy's most beautiful villages.