POTENZA | BASILICATA

Discover Potenza

Potenza is the regional capital of Basilicata.
Potenza has the special characteristic of being the highest regional capital in Italy, situated at 819 metres above sea level.
Potenza’s very ancient origins are evident in the important monuments in its historic centre: the Cathedral in the Piazza del Duomo, the churches of St. Maria del Sepolcro and San Rocco, the Guevara Tower, its palaces and ancient city gates.
The city is experiencing a period of strong expansion.

All around Potenza the beautiful countryside hosts small, authentic towns and villages that have maintained their ancient traditions.
Visitors will find many opportunities for recreation: exploring the historic town centres, medieval villages and old Roman towns, enjoying Potenza’s lovely sea waters, or wandering in the protected nature reserves.
Maratea offers the spectacular combination of mountain and sea with sea coves and cliffs framing the clear waters.
Nature lovers can “lose their way” in the protected areas. There are nine protected areas in the Basilicata region, including the Pollino National Park.
The Pollino National Park is divided equally between the regions of Basilicata and Calabria. The highest peak on the Potenza side of the park is Mount Pollino at a height of 2248 metres. The Pollino National Park includes karstic plateau wildlife, ancient forests and rare species of orchids, peonies and herbs. The greatest protected rarity in the park is a forty metre high ancient Loricato pine tree. There are about twenty villages in the park, all still maintaining their ancient traditions, such as San Paulo Albanese and San Costantino Albanese.
At Rotonda you can visit the Pollino Natural History and Paleontological Museum, or taste the renowned "Paddraccio" cheese. Moliterno is another a small, picturesque town in the Potenza area, known for its production of Casieddu goats’ cheese.
Much of the economy of Potenza and its province is based on agricultural products. Love for the land has led to the cultivation of cereals: barley, wheat, maize and oats. Fruit production is on a large scale, in particular plums, pears, kiwis and citrus fruits. The main livestock reared are cattle.