Potenza
Potenza is the capital city of Basilicata, sometimes called Lucania.
Understand
Having a somewhat rebellious history through the ages, Potenza was once reduced by ancient Rome to a military colony. From pillages in the Middle Ages to a number of earthquakes wreaking havoc, Potenza has emerged to the provincial capital and important railway corridor it is today.
Get in
Potenza is served by Potenza Centrale Railway station (formerly Potenza Inferiore), with intercity service from Rome, Naples, Salerno, and Bari. There is also regional train service to nearby towns.
Bus service is available from Rome Tiburtina bus station daily.
- 🌍 Potenza Centrale railway station (Stazione di Potenza Centrale).
Get around
There are a series of escalators "Scale Mobili" which bring you to the top of the old town from the train station at the bottom.
There are extremely few street signs in Potenza. If you do not know where you are going, bring your own map and navigate via landmarks, instead of street names.
See
Stadio Alfredo Viviani - The soccer stadium; the local club plays in the Italian 3rd division ("Serie C").
Old town - The old town is located at the top of the town and features one main street Via Pretoria for a "passeggiata" at any time in the weekends, and in the evenings in weekdays. Try to walk in the quiet alleys around the main street, to discover the 🌍 Cattedrale di San Gerardo, reconstructed in the 18th century from its original 12th-13th century origin, the 🌍 Convento di San Michele, of medieval making from the 12th century with a Byzantine Madonna and De Grasis sepulchre. Another notable landmark is 🌍 Torre Guevara.
- 🌍 Musmeci Bridge. Otherworldly bridge spectacle where the underpinnings you can appreciate from the passegiata del Basento (path) resemble something like moose antlers.
Eat
On Sundays, one can treat oneself by enjoying one of the restaurants near Old Town, such as La Tettoia. There is a pizza place next to Stadio Alfredo Viviani which is open on Sundays, however, where pizzas are cheap (€4).
In the old town, in the central piazza, there is a restaurant/pub that opens at 19:30 daily.
While making your "passeggiata" on the main street of the old town, you will pass a couple of gelaterias.
Sleep
- 🌍 B&B Al Convento, Vicolo S. Michele Arcangelo, ☏ +39 348 330 7693. This is an intriguing accommodation as it occupies a former convent from the early 1800s and subsequent restaurant. €40-60/night.
- 🌍 B&B Casa Retrò, Via Pretoria, 133, ☏ +39 328 422 7643. Another B&B that fits in with the historic center.