HISTORY: Today’s Basilicata occupies more or less the area of the ancient Lucania, the land of the Lucanians, an Italic tribe who lived in the region around the 5th century BC. However, the first human settlements in Basilicata are much older, dating back to the 5th millenium BC, a fact evidenced by the cave dwellings discovered in Matera .
Between 300 BC and the 5th century AD, the area was dominated by the Romans and, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the region remained in Byzantine possession until 568, when it was conquered by the Lombards, becoming part of the Duchy of Benevento. In 968, Lucania returned to the Byzantines and, in 1059, the region was conquered by the Normans. Read More [...]
In 1663, the province of Basilicata was created, with its capital in Matera. In 1735, under the Burbons, Basilicata became part of the Kingdom of Naples. In 1860, along with the nearby regions, Basilicata became part of the Kindom of Italy.
GEOGRAPHY: Basilicata borders with Campania to the west, Apulia to the northeast, Calabria to the south and with the Ionian Sea to the southeast. The region is divided between two provinces, Potenza and Matera, and has its capital in Potenza. Besides Potenza and Matera, other important cities are Melfi, Pisticci, Maratea and Policoro.
TRANSPORT: Basilicata is a mountainous territory and the connections between the cities within the region and also with other regions were always difficult. The area has only a small airport in Pisticci and it relies on the nearby regions for air transport. Therefore, the two main airports serving the region are the Karol Wojtyla Airport, located near Bari, and Capodichino Airport, located near Naples. The railway connections are carried out by Trenitalia and Ferrovie Appulo Lucane, operating to and from the Apulia region.
MORE INFO: Bari Airport | Naples Airport | Car Hire | Train Timetables & Fares | Hotels in Basilicata | Tours & Activities in Basilicata