Basilicata is a kaleidoscope of alternating colours, shapes and sounds, creating countless sceneries to please the eye. Despite its modest size, it has an exceptionally rich historical, cultural and folk heritage.

Its pristine natural environment and fairy-tale landscapes – the green heart of the region – are both a peaceful oasis and a source of excitement. The region boasts to two national parks, namely Parco del Pollino (which has been a Unesco Geopark since 2015, with Bosnian pines as its emblem) and Parco dell’Appennino Lucano Val d’Agri Lagonegrese, and to three regional parks, namely Parco di Gallipoli Cognato Piccole Dolomiti Lucane, Parco Archeologico Storico Naturale delle Chiese Rupestri del Materano and Parco del Vulture, which also includes the volcanic lakes of Monticchio. The region is also home to several nature reserves such as Calanchi di Montalbano, Abetina di Laurenzana or Bosco Pantano di Policoro. Washed by the Ionian and the Tyrrhenian Sea, the coasts of Basilicata are respectively low-lying and sandy along the Ionian side, and higher and rugged around Maratea.

Matera, European capital of culture in 2019, deserves a special mention. Its iconic ‘Sassi’, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are an outstanding and world-unique example of rupestrian settlement.

To discover Basilicata, visit www.basilicataturistica.it.