Hotels in Basilicata, Italy

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Basilicata

This mountainous and arid region cannot be more different to its northern counterparts.

Relatively undeveloped and sparsely populated, many of its inhabitants emigrated with the hope of finding a better life - its very terrain traditionally making life and communications difficult.

Beauty, however, is something it does not lack. It has two coastlines, one in the centre of the Gulf of Taranto in the Ionian Sea, and a tiny one on the Tyrrhenian Sea, with the famous sea resort of Maratea. The bare mountain landscapes slope down to the Ionian Sea. Basilicata is also region rich in archaeological relics, dating back to remote times.

History Like much of southern Italy, the history of Basilicata has been the theatre of conquests and conquerors. Upon the fall of the Roman Empire and a short Gothic foray, the region fell into the hands of the Lombards, who repelled a number of attacks throughout their tenure.

The region’s feudal system mitigated any meaningful economic and social development and it remained in relative poverty. The Spanish, with relative ease, managed to wrest control of Basilicata by the 16th century and ruled it for over two hundred years, even making it an official province of Spain. After a brief control by the Bourbons, Basilicata was eventually united with the Kingdom of Italy by 1860.

As with much of the south, it remains a relatively poor cousin of its northern neighbours. Culture The region is rich in archeological relics, dating back to the most remote times.

Remains of the Greek era can be found in Metaponto (the Palatine Tables), while ruins of the Roman Age are to be found in Venosa. There are also noteworthy examples of medieval art in Venosa and Cerenza (Romanesque style).

The architecture presents Arab-Byzantine and French influences in Matera, Melfi and Lagopesole. The Provincial Archaeologic Museum of Potenza houses an important prehistoric collection, an interesting ethnographic section and numerous Greek and Latin inscriptions whilst in Matera, the Ridola National Museum boasts numerous Paleolithic relics, and ceramics. The Pinacoteca d’Errico displays noteworthy paintings of the Neapolitan school of the seventeenth and eighteenth century.

The Archaeologic National Museum of Melfi houses prehistoric and Roman relics. Activities In Matera, the UNESCO world heritage town, visitors can enjoy the unique “Sassi”, the typical houses and churches dug into the “tufa” crag. In the Gulf of Policastro, tourists can enjoy the fascinating Maratea, an important resort of the Tyrrhenian Sea; on the Ionian Sea, the Antiquarium of Metaponto.

Hotels in Basilicata

• L'Hotel in Pietra
• Sassi Hotel

Hotels by City in Basilicata

• Matera Hotels

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