History
Its birth probably came about during the Roman era (IV century BC), even though it seems proven the existence of a prior Potentia close to Vaglio. The ancient centre (X century BC), was probably destroyed by the Romans and its inhabitants left and founded the present day centre of habitation in the Murate locality (IV century BC). t became a Municipium (I century BC) and enjoyed a period of development due to its central geographic position. However, during the Imperial Era it progressively lost its importance. It was plundered by the Goths of Alarico during 402 AD and became an Episcopal Seat (V century). After the brief Ostrogoth Reign (496-535) it passed for a short period to the Byzantines and finally to the Longobard Dukedom of Benevento (VI century). The arrival of the Normans (XI century) coincided for Potenza with a period of economic and town planning development, which also continued with the Swabians. For this reason, its inhabitants opposed the descent in Italy of the Angioiniansans by leading the Ghibelline Revolt of 1268. Carlo 1 d’Angio’s response was besiegement and devastation (1269) of the central habitation. This wound was aggravated by an earthquake in 1273. It was rebuilt and given in fief to Pipino by the Angioiniansans. It was then property of the following families: Sanseverino, Voivoda, Guevara (1435), Lannoy and finally the Loffredo family, who kept it until the end of feudalism (1806). During these centuries, Potenza demonstrated its Republican vocation by participating in the anti-Spanish motions (1647), the Republican motions of 1799 and the Renaissance ones of 1848. It was also the first city of Basilicata to rebel against the Bourbons during 1860. It was bombed during the Second World War (1943) and it was mostly rebuilt after having being destroyed by the earthquakes of 1980. The Cathedral, built in the 12th Century and renovated during the Neoclassical age, houses interesting works of art, while the Torre Guevara is evidence of the Medieval castle. The Roman Villa of Malvaccaro, rather, is characterized by beautiful mosaics, and the Edicola of San Gerardo, a minuscule temple, was built in the 19th Century to exhibit the revered Saint’s statue. Then, the National Archaeological Museum and the Provincial Archaeological Museum boast numerous finds that narrates the city’s history, as does the Archivio di Stato, with documents dating back to the 14th Century. The Romanesque Church of San Michele Arcangelo, constructed in the 12th Century in the Romanesque, is home to many important works of art: the Madonna del Carmine and the Madonna of the Rosary and the Fifteen Mysteries. At the same time, the 12th-Century Church of Santa Maria del Sepolcro (12th Century) displays a lovely marble bas-relief of the Madonna with Child and Angels. Quite close to Potenza, it’s worth paying a visit to the ancient villages of Tolve and Vaglio Basilicata, with a native residential area and one of the most ancient sanctuaries of the region (Sanctuary of the Mephitis Goddess). In the northeastern area of Potenza are many villages surrounded by nature, by green and deep valleys or by forests of turkey oaks, chestnut trees, beech trees and fir trees. Muro Lucano is renowned for its Castle, its Cathedral and the National Archaeological Museum. In the south of Potenza, visit the Medieval Borgo of Brienza, Picerno and Vietri di Potenza. In the southeastern area of the Province, see the Lucanian Dolomites, heart of the Regional Natural Park bearing the same name, along with the beautiful villages of Brindisi di Montagna, Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa, the highest-altitude municipality of the Basilicata Region (3,570 ft). In the southern part of the Province Monte Vulture stands; it is an extinct volcano completely covered with forests. Two castles are its neighbors: Castel Lagopesole in the Comune of Avigliano, built by Frederick II of Swabia in 1242, atop the ancient ruins of a previous construction. The complex reveals an exceptional interior structure that includes a church; and Castello di Melfi, also erected by Frederick II over another previous fortification, in the heart of the suggestive Medieval village bearing the same name. Not to miss, as well, the Castle of Venosa, renowned because Horace, the Latin poet, was born here. Besides the Castle, housing the National Archaeological Museum, it’s worth to pay a visit to the Cathedral, the Trinity Abbey and the Archaeological Park, an extensive excavation area with ruins of a thermal baths complex, a domus, a residential and an episcopal compound, an unfinished church and an amphitheatre. Furthermore, nearby to Venosa one shouldn’t miss the Christian and Jewish catacombs in the same area, the Cathedral of Acerenza. Still in this province, close to the Tyrrhenian coast, the Archaeological Area of Grumentum, an ancient Roman city built in the 3rd century BC of which some ruins remain: the theatre, the italic little temple, the domus with some mosaics, the area of the Forum with the Capitolium, the Augusteum, the Basilica and the amphitheatre. Nearby, the National Museum of Alta Val D’Agri. The villages of Moliterno, Marsico Nuovo, Viggiano, Rivello and Lagonegro are worth to be mentioned, too. Finally, right on the Tyrrhenian coast, the wonderful city of Maratea, with its historic center and its very narrow streets dating back to its medieval foundation. Maratea is also known as the “city of the 44 churches” for its many religious buildings. Among them: the Church of the Annunziata, the Church of the Immacolata, and the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. Close to the centre of the town, on San Biagio Mountain, one reaches the ruins of ancient Maratea, the Sanctuary of San Biagio and the Statue of the Redeemer.