Capital of theBasilicata, Potenza is the city of the 100 stairs. The characteristic historic center will frame your trip to the Lucanian city. Here is a guide for you that will support you in the organization of your holiday, helping you understand what to see in Potenza and what to visit in the Lucanian city.
The first thing we have to deepen iswhere Potenza is located. Located 819 meters above sea level, it develops north-west of theLucanian Dolomites. The origins of Potenza (ancientPotentia) date back to the 4th century BC and come, most likely, from the distribution of the neighborVaglio greenhouse(11th century BC).Power It was severely affected by the 1980 earthquake and the previous ones of the past centuries but has completely resumed and the most important places are now completely accessible thanks to targeted anti -seismic interventions. Potenza is the regional capital of Basilicata and is located 100 kilometers from the other capital city (of the province),Matera.
Power what to see
Potenza is a "vertical" city, with climbs, descents and many stairs. It is very quiet and undoubtedly suitable for those who seek relaxation and harmony from the holiday. We have made a guide that can help you understandWhat to do with power and what to see.
What to visit in Potenza: places of interest
TO Power, things to seeThere are many, although this city is not large. Among the many we advise you not to lose.
Churches of Potenza
1Church of San Michele Arcangelo
The Church of San MicheleIt is the oldest in the city of Potenza and is among the longest -lived monuments that you will find yourself visiting.St. Michael's Church, in Romanesque style, was erected in 1178. In 1849 the church suffered an expansion. It presents itself to three naves and contains several value works: paintings, sculptures, wooden carvings, most of the 16th century. It is located a few steps from the center fromPiazza Mario Pagano, the main of the city, a place where theNight life of Potenza, Basilicata.
2 St. Gerard's Cathedral
The St. Gerard's Cathedraland the Cathedralof the city and is undoubtedly the most important religious monument ofPower. Majestic and elegant, it is dedicated toPatron Saintof the Lucanian city,Saint Gerard(to the centuryGerardo Della Porta) who operated here as a bishop of the city. TheCathedralHe sinks his origins in the twelfth century but has been reworked several times, until he acquired the neoclassical style that we know today. On the entrance portal there is a seventeenth -century coat of arms of thebishop Bonaventure. There Chapel of San GerardoIt is located in the transept located on the right of the church while in the left transept it is hosted theBlessed Sacrament. The celebrations for the patron occur on May 30 and are preceded, during the eve, by the historic "parade of the Turks".
3 Church of San Francesco d'Assisi
The Church of San Francesco in PotenzaIt is one of the oldest in the Lucanian city. It dates back to 1274 and is presented with a stone facade. Made of a single nave is a church in full Franciscan style. To the left of the church is the "Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian"Of Giovanni Todisco, Lucanian painter. On the right is the "Madonna with Child"Of the thirteenth century also called"The Madonna of the Earthquake” by the natives. ThereChurch of San Francesco d'AssisiIt is enriched by a 16th century portal consisting of eight series of tiles representing the Christological monogram of San Bernardino da Siena and a bell tower, in stone, located on the back of the place of worship. ThereChurch of San FrancescoIt is found in a hidden corner ofPiazza Mario Pagano.
4 Church ofSaint Lucia
The Church of Santa LuciaIn Potenza it was located outside the city walls (today in the historic center, in the districtSalt racka) around 1200Sauce holder. It is a single nave. Behind the main altar, in a newsstand, there is a seventeenth -century wooden statue ofSaint Lucia, whose paternity is unknown. The waterstorm from the church of Santa Maria del Sepolcro.The opening hours of the church of Santa Lucia: from 9.00 to 13.00 and from 17.00 to 20.00.
5 Church ofSanta Maria del Sepolcro
There is no certainty about the origin of theChurch of Santa Maria del Sepolcrolocated inSanta Maria district, outside the city walls. The church is located in a crossroads between the ancient Roman streets Appia Nuova and Herculean. It is here that hagiography wants thebishop Gerard, then Saint Gerard the patron saint, he performed the miracle of the transmutation of the water in wine or made him come from a rock. There are those who even hypothesize a foundation due to the Templars (XII century), according to more recent studies. The Church, however, has undergone several touches.
A first reconstruction dates back to 1488 (as per epigraph) and a subsequent restoration in 1652, on the will of the Count of Potenza,Antonio de Guevara. The facade ofChurch of the SepulchreIt has three arches in the portico. Initially the church was presented to a single nave but the seventeenth -century restoration has annexed a left nave. The church has several valuable invoice altars, almost all dating back to the seventeenth century. The main altar, in Baroque style, has several decorations of stucco. Here is kept an urn containing the relic ofBlood of Christplaced in this place in June 1656 fromMonsignor Bonaventura Claverio.
Inside the Church a series of pictorial works ofAntonio Stabile and Onofrio Palumbo. One stands outImmaculate with Saint Francis and San Rocco(second half of the 16th century), theMadonna delle Grazie with San Francesco and San Patrizio Bishop(1582) and aAdoration of the shepherds of Giovanni Ricca(17th century).
6 Church of the Holy Trinity
The Church of the Holy TrinityIt is located in the heart of the historic center of Potenza, inVia Pretoriaand close to thePiazzetta di Duca della vegetables(1844) also known as “fish square"Because the city market took place here. The origins of the Church are ancient, around the 12th century but was completely reconstructed following the earthquake of 1857. The interior presents itself with a single nave and is adorned with baroque altars.
7 Temple of San Gerardo
The Temple of San Gerardo, patron of the city, is located on what was once a snowfall, at the corner ofPiazza Matteottiand on the well -known wall of the city. The half -bust of the saint was made byMichele BusciolanoAnd 1865 is dated. The two dates placed on the left are interesting who recall topical moments of the city of Potenza: the invasion of the brigands in 1809 and the insurrection of 18 August 1860.
8 Chapel of the Blessed Bonaventura
The chapel of the Blessed BonaventuraHe is located where his birthplace was. The chapel is located in an alley, homonymous, ofVia Pretoria. Inside there are two environments. The red stone altar with baroque design and the aquasatterar come frommonastery of San Luca. In this chapel some relics of Blessed are kept in a wooden urn located in a newsstand on the wall and in two small wood and metal relics. Inside is located theLast supper, painted byMario Prayer.
9 Via Pretoria
Via PretoriaIt is the best known road in the city. It was almost certainly the "Decumanus"Romano and assumed the current conformation only at the end of the nineteenth century, following the demolition of somedoors and cuntane (alleys). Located in the center of Potenza, also called "above Potenza", via Pretoria has long been the road to shopping Potenino.
Over time the city has extended to the foot of the hill that hosts it and many clubs have moved down, especially long wayVia del Gallitello. Via Pretoria, however, a completely pedestrian road that starts from what was once an access door of the city,Porta Salza(no longer present but the area is well known to the potentials) to arrive by skirting the main squares (Piazza Mario Pagano and Seat Square) On the opposite side of the ridge, the road to shopping and power coffee remains.
Also thanks to cultural attractions such as theFrancesco Stabile Theatre, cinema and museums, as well as some main institutional places (Town Hall, from the province and Prefecture). An aperitif inVia Pretoriashould be included in the listPower: what to do".
Main squares of Potenza
10 Piazza Mario Pagano
Piazza Mario PaganoIt is the best known of power. Also known as "Prefecture square“, It is located in the heart of the historic center of Potenza. It divides in twoVia Pretoriaand hosts theGovernment Palace, The Stable TheatreAnd some noble palaces. Designed byIntendant IurloIn 1838 it was followed in the work by the architectD'Errico. The square, yesMarket SquareSince it welcomed the Sunday market, it was dedicated in 1870 aMario Paganojurist born inBrienzaIn 1778 and executed in 1799 because they are an activist and advocate of the Constitution of the Neapolitan Republic. In the southern area of the square there are the well -known arcades like thoseof Upimbecause of the department stores that have been hosted here for decades. In the squareMario Pagano and Via Pretoria"The Potentine Sture" takes place.
11 Piazza Matteotti
From Via Pretoria, coming fromSauce holderand immediately after the building that houses theBank of Italy, Here you arePiazza Matteottialso known as “seat square"Place where the aristocracy met to elect representatives.Piazza MatteottiIt presents itself with an elongated shape and is the oldest square in the historic center (preceding the most famous PPiazza Mario Pagano), dating back to the Middle Ages. In the square, buildings of the nineteenth century overlook, including the building that houses the city government.
12 Francesco Stabile Theatre
The Francesco Stabile TheatreFollowing a petition of potential citizens, in 1856. The following year, however, the violent earthquake that fell on several centers in the region, forced manufacturers to interrupt the construction works. The resumption of the works came after theUnification of Italy, in 1865, withGiuseppe Pisanti. TheFrancesco Stabile Theatreit was inaugurated by kingUmberto Iin 1881. It was only in 1990, after yet another earthquake, that theStable TheatreHe revised the light and showed his beauty. Albeit in miniature, it reminiscent of the noble very closeSan Carlo Theater in Naples. The Stable Theatreis located inPiazza Mario PaganoAnd it also has a reduced, of a hundred seats.
13 Government Palace and Villa del Prefect
The Government Palaceof Potenza is located inPiazza Mario Pagano. Headquarters ofPrefecturebut also of province. Like so many buildings of the Lucanian capital also theGovernment Palaceor of thePrefectureHe underwent the violent and devastating earthquake of 1857. Reconstructive and modernized in 1860, today it is one of the symbols of the city. Adjacent toGovernment Palaceis the "Prefect's Villa”, Another symbol of the Lucanian capital and the gardens ofGovernment Palace, made in the 19th century that are on some terraces due to the verticality of the city.
Museums in Potenza
14 National Archaeological Museum Dinu Adamesteanu
The National Archaeological Museum Dinu Adamesteanuis named after the first superintendent of theBasilicata, the Romanian archaeologistAdamesteanu. It preserves an important collection of ceramics, religious objects, jewels belonging to the Greek and Roman era, pottery and much more, found in various sites in the region. The museum is located inside theLoffredo Palace(17th century), located behindvia Pretoria. The museum winds on two floors and occupies about 2000 meters of surface, for a total of 8 sections and 22 rooms.The cost of the entrance ticketIt is 2.50 euros, reduced € 1.25.Opening days and hours:Monday 14.00-20.00; Tuesday-Sunday 9.00-20.00 weekly closing: Monday morning; Ticket office hours: Monday 14.00-19.30; Tuesday-Sunday 9.00-19.30;Reservation: None.Phone:0971 21719. A visit to this museum is to be included in the list "Power: what to see".
15 Provincial Archaeological Museum
The Provincial archaeological museumof power preserves finds from the major sites of the Province. Damaged by a fire at the beginning of the twentieth century and by the bombings of the Second World War, the museum was rearranged in a new headquarters (the current), in 1962. In 1980 it suffered the devastating earthquake and many finds were transferred to then be hosted in this space again, with inauguration of 1997. Inside there are many objects and finds from the Greek city ofMetapontum.
16 Diocesan Museum
The Diocesan Museum of Potenza,Set up in the ground floor room of the seventeenth -century building of the former seminar, it represents for those who will visit it, an important opportunity to 'recognize', through the works, the main peculiarities that distinguish the artistic culture of the region and the history of the ancient Potenza diocese mediated by the story of the micro -history of every single good. The museum route presents, in this first installation, furnishings and sacred objects of the cathedral and some parishes of the city: works from the 16th to the 20th century.
17 National Potenza Library
The National Potenza LibraryInitially it was the detached section of theNational Library of Naples. Since the end of 1985 it has been autonomous. Since 1995, for the unusability of the old location, he has been in the premises ofPalazzo Giuzio in via Del Gallitelloand extends over an area of over 6,000 square meters. It is placed on several floors and winds in seven rooms. Of interest theLucanian sectionwhich collects books and writings of the Region.
The 6 doors of the city of Potenza
The city of Potenza originally had 6 doors that allowed entry into the city:
- Sauce holder,
- Trinity Gate,
- Carrying it,
- Porta San Gerardo,
- Porta San Giovanni
- Porta San Luca.
Of these doors only 3 have come to us:Porta San Gerardo, Porta San Giovanni and Porta San Luca.
18 Sauce holder
Sauce holderIt stood between the homonymous village and the city walls.Sauce holderwas placed in the directionTaranto and Naples. Even if the door no longer exists, in Potenza its area is well known which, in fact, is located at the beginning ofvia Pretoria, in front of the exitEscalators of Santa Lucia. In this area is located theChurch of Santa Lucia.
19 Porta San Luca
The Porta San Lucaowes the name to the convent ofclarifiers of San Lucaplaced nearby. The monastery was suppressed with the decree of February 17, 1861, with which the monastic orders of both sexes were suppressed in the Neapolitan and Sicilian provinces. It is currently home to the provincial command of the carabinieri. Around 1925 the ancient monastery was embellished with the construction of arcades. The Carabinieri barracks was initially dedicated toMario Paganoand subsequently to the lieutenant of the carabinieri the potentinoOrazio Petruccelli, died in Kefalonia in 1943. ThePorta di San LucaIt is one of the three still visible and is located between Piazza Bonaventura and the end ofVia Pretoriaon the opposite side ofSauce holder.
20 Porta San Gerardo
The Porta San Gerardo, of the Norman era, owes the name toCathedralof the same name overlooks the square. It is located between theBishop's Palace and the Palazzo Scafarelli. Porta San Gerardofollows the medieval walls and connects the area of thePotenza Cathedralwith the parallel area ofVia Due Torri.
21 Porta San Giovanni
Porta San Giovanniis of Norman realization, like thePorta San Gerardo. The name of the door is due to the homonymous hospital that was outside the city walls and which no longer exists today. The door, originally flanked by two sighting towers, was reconstructed due to the serious damage reported following the earthquake of 23 November 1980 and is now incorporated into modern constructions. It is one of the access points aVia Pretoria, pedestrian artery of the Lucanian city.
22 Musmeci Bridge
The Musmeci BridgeIt can be defined as a door of the city as it allows access to the capital, above the riverBasento,to motorists from the Sicignano-Potenza fitting (Potenza center exit). Interesting modern sculpture, fine engineering work, the bridge was designed in 1969 by the architects Musmeci and learned.
23 Escalators
The Potenza EscalatorsThey were inaugurated in 1994 to facilitate movements in the "vertical" city. There are several access points of the mobile stairs. The first is that ofViale Marconiwith completely underground mobile stairs that end in a building ofAugust 18th Square. From here, without going out, with the help of municipal lifts, you arrive inVia del Popolo, parallel tovia Pretoria, a stone's throw fromPiazza Mario Pagano. The mobile stairs of the valley (equipped bridge), on the other hand, are more recent and are presented with a modern structure in glass and laminated wood that allows you to be able to observe the outside, while you go up or go down. The exit of the mobile stairs, for those who come from the valley floor, is in the ancient village ofSauce holder(Santa Lucia). From here beginsvia Pretoria. The other mobile stairs are found invia Armellini, in the lower part ofvia Mazzini.
24 Guevara Tower
The Guevara TowerIt is the only remaining part of the ancient castle located in the highest area of the city; It was part of the defensive structure that has been demolished over the years. Inside the tower there are currently artistic and cultural assets that undoubtedly deserve a visit.
25 Via Due Torri
Via Due TorriIt is well known in the city. Placed in the immediate vicinity ofvia Pretoria, hosting, among others, the historic cinema and theater 2 Torri. The entire route of the medieval walls of Potenza follows and takes its name from the two towers of Aragonese origin who are located here. It runs alongside one of the city access doors,Porta San Gerardo. It is a very narrow way, like many others that wind in the historic center of the Lucanian capital.
26 Via Serrao and Largo Pignatari
Via Serrao, in Potenza, is another narrow road, of the historic center. The stone houses that have suffered restorations, especially after the 1980 earthquake. Followingvia Serraoyou get toLargo Pignatariwhere you notice theCiccotti palacedating back to the seventeenth century. It was here that the Sanfedists were defeated in 1799. Always followingvia Serraowe arriveLoffredo palacealso saidComitalwanted byGuevara accounts, today home to theAdamesteanu National Archaeological Museum.
27 Parade of the Turks
On the eve of the patron saint of Potenza,Saint Gerard(May 30), the historic takes placeParade of the Turksalso calledParade of the Turks. Until 1885 theParade of the TurksHe had another fixed date on May 12th. Since it is held in honor of the patron saint, it has been moved to a date closer to the celebrations ofSaint Gerard. Legend has it that, in May, a group of Saracens headed theGrand Turk, going up theBasento river,They arrived in the city. The potentials, warned by a light in heaven and angels, had time to organize themselves to drive away the enemy. This was said to be a miracle of San Gerardo. Thereparade of the Turks, starts from the Duomo, during the evening of May 29. He presents the protagonists of the story: slaves, Saracens, angels (children), knights, the great Turk with his carriage, ladies, archers, count, countess and, finally, the temple with the image ofSaint Gerardat the end of the parade.
Basilicata, Tourism: information in Pillole on Potenza
28Power: How to get there and how to move
Potenza, how to get there:The best way to reach the city is to use the railway service (Potenza is located on the route that connects Taranto to the most important Italian cities) or move by car, via the state road 407Basentana. If you want to reach the Lucanian capital by plane, theclosest airport to Potenzais that ofBari Paleseor alternatively that ofNaples Capodichino.
Power, how to move:The best way to visit the city of Potenza is on foot; The city is in fact small in size and a nice walk will allow you to fully enjoy the beauty of the city. Of great help are the mobile stairs that allow you to reach the center without having to struggle.
29Where to eat in Potenza
Potenza, where to eat: Basilicata is famous for her tasty and tasty cuisine. There are many thereforerestaurants in Potenzain which you can enjoy good dishes belonging to the Lucanian tradition. Among the many dishes to be included in the list "Power: what to eat” we remind you to enter:overpass crumb with the cruschi puppets,Prince's ingredient of Potenza and Lucana cuisine,FAVE AND CICRIERS, Canestrato di Moliterno or Pecorino di Filiano, typical recognized local cheese. Alternatively, there are severalpizzerias in Potenzawho present an offer according to local, Neapolitan or national tradition.
30Where to sleep in Potenza
Potenza, where to sleep: for your searchhotels in Potenza, we advise you to choose the center of the center and the accommodation facilities of the main course in order to savor the true atmosphere of the Lucanian capital. There are several alternatives to the traditional hotel, such as B&B, holiday homes or guest house.
