BASILICATA OR LUCANIA
HISTORY
The name Lucania (another name for Basilicata) refers to the Lyki, a group of refugees from Anatolia who settled the inland mountain areas around the 14th-13th centuries B.C. The Greeks arrived to found their colonies (Metaponto, Siris, Eraclea) along the coast six hundred years later. Soon after they came into conflict with the descendants of the Lyki, rechristened Lucani, who were ensconced in their fortified towns of Serra di Vaglio, Anzi, and Torre di Striano. The Lucani resisted for many years, but were no match for the Romans who first razed their cities to the ground and then annexed their territories to the Roman Empire under Augustus. Thereafter abandoned to itself, Lucania was at the mercy of the barbarians and Saracens, until the Early Middle Ages when founding of Basilian and Benedictine monasteries sparked a short-lived but intense economic and cultural recovery. Thereafter, the region became a Byzantine possession ruled by a governor, the Basilikos (from which name Basilicata is believed to derive). In the 9th century the Norman Reign was established. Its first capital was Melfi (later moved to Palermo). Under the Anjous, the region was once more abandoned to itself. Many centers became ghost cities and the once cultivated plains were reduced to malaria-infested marshlands. Later on Basilicata was associated with the Kingdom of Naples, but failed to participate in the main political events affecting it. In the 19th century the peasants' rebellion against the few, all-powerful land barons eventually led to the ousting of the Bourbons and the adhesion of the region to the Kingdom of Italy (1860). Italian unification did not, however, mean that all the region's problems were instantly solved. Many were to plague Basilicata for decades - emigration and crime being two of the most difficult to eradicate. Today, despite strides in land reclamation, redistribution of farmlands, industrialization, and tourism-related activities, Basilicata is still one of the most economically-disadvantaged regions of the peninsula.
ART
For several hundred years (8th-3rd centuries B.C.), the art of the region - not only in the coastal colonies of Metaponto, Siris, and Eraclea, but also inland - had a strictly Greek imprint. Although no clamorous masterpieces have come to light, the level of workmanship of the objects excavated in the region (ceramics, votive statues, bronzes) is a clear sign that a steady flow of Greek artworks existed. Local artists in fact, had achieved such skill that often Greek- and locally-crafted pieces cannot be told apart. In addition to the excavations themselves, the museums of Potenza and Policoro provide a comprehensive picture of the art of Greek Lucania. Contrarily, there are few notable remains of the Roman period. In the Early Middle Ages, the period of the spread of monasteries and domination of the Byzantines, the first "rock churches" appeared among the so-called "Sassi" i.e., dwellings hollowed into rock characterizing the area around Matera. The Norman period (11th century) was artistically quite active: dozens of churches and castles, e.g., Venosa, Acerenza, Potenza, Melfi, Matera, were erected, and thereafter Romanesque and Gothic art had notable influence on art and architecture. In the 15th century, great fortifications were built in cities such as Potenza and Venosa and works were commissioned of important painters such as Bartolomeo Vivarini and Cima da Conegliano of the Venetian school (although in truth they failed to leave any lasting influence on the local painters). Some architectural projects (mainly religious buildings) were undertaken during the Baroque period, but, aside from sporadic outbursts here and there, no major schools or trends in Basilicata art have since emerged.
CUISINE/FOLKLORE
Basilicata, traditions dating back hundreds of years continue to govern people's everyday lives and events from cradle to tomb. Magical-propitiatory rites are often curiously mixed with orthodox religious practices. The most interesting - and spectacular - of the religious ceremonies are the Holy Week processions such as the Procession of the Mysteries in Barile (province of Potenza), during which people representing religious characters parade through town dressed in medieval costumes, often replete with precious jewels. Turning to cuisine, cold cuts, cheeses (butirri, mozzarella, provolone and caciocavallo), and produce (cabbage, fennel, lentils, beans, hot peppers, olives) are specialties of the region. Several pasta dishes (fusilli, recchietelle, strascinati, maccheroni) are popular first courses. Entrees include pork, lamb, chicken, and fish. The local wines, e.g. Aglianico (red) and Asprino (white), are rather heady.
NATURAL.ENVIRONMENT
Basilicata is completely mountainous, with mountains which rise to over 2,000 m. (Pollino Massif 2,248m, Mount Sirino 2,2005m) Most Basilicata rivers flow into the Ionian Sea. The Bradano, Basento, Covone, Agri and Sinni flow into the Gulf of Taranto. The Ofanto river, flows into the Adriatic Sea and the Platano and Noce rivers, flow into the Tyrrhenian Sea. Of the natural lakes the two picturesque are the very small Monticchio , crater lakes in the Vulture area and Lake Sirino on the western border of the Sirino mountain. Crater lakes in the Vulture area and Lake Sirino in the western border. Basilicata also has many artificial basins for example the lake of San Giuliano, Gannano & Pertusillo. The climate is continental in the higher and most internal parts of the region, while in the coastal areas it is mainly Mediterranean. The forests cover only 8% of the territory. The Mount Pollino area has rich woodland and green pastures full of flowers and an incomparable scenery. The Pollino forests are still inhabited by rare animals as the wolf, wild boar, otter, and European wild cats, and roe deer. In the bird family the golden eagle, black woodpecker, raven, peregrine falcon and kites can be found. The Lucanian Dolomites are a small but picturesque chain of high needles and rugged peaks . Some blossoms on the bare rocks include red valerian, honesty, the long-spurred pansy and the pale toadflax. The steep rocks offer a habitat for many birds including the peregrine, Inner falcons, the and rock pigeon.