Learn More About Basilicata’s Greek History When You Travel to Italy
Basilicata is a mountainous region of Southern Italy that is lucky enough to have not one, but two gorgeous coastlines. However, one of the most fascinating aspects of Basilicata is its Greek origins. When you travel to regions of Italy such as this, you can discover the country’s blend of cultures, visiting places such as the Temple of Hera, a tribute to Zeus’ wife, and the abandoned village of Craco, dating from 6th century Greek settlements. The name ‘Basilicata’ is believed to come from the Greek word for ‘King’.
Luxury Italy tours to Basilicata will often include a stop to Matera, which is often said to be the country’s best kept secret. Not only is Matera’s historic centre, Sassi di Matera, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, but the city itself was crowned European Capital of Culture for 2019. It’s here in Matera that you can visit the Metaponto archaeological site, and learn about the traditional architectural styles used to design the 9th century Crypt of the Original Sin church, and the 13th century cathedral.
Self-Styled Tours of Italy with Italia Mia - Basilicata
In contrast to the Greek city of Matera, Forenza is very much a Roman village which makes it an interesting place to visit when taking Italian holidays from Australia. Perched high on the hilltop, Forenza is the ideal base from which to explore other amazing destinations in the Basilicata region, such as Acerena with its baroque style churches, Melfi which is famous for its Aglianico del Vulture red wine, and Venosa, which allows you to delve into the rich Jewish history of both Basilicata and Southern Italy.