In the far north of the region rises Monte Vulture, an extinct volcano whose slopes are covered with chestnut woods and vineyards. Two crater lakes, the Laghi di Monticchio, lie in its old caldera beside the abbey of San Michele. Its volcanic soils give Aglianico del Vulture, a powerful red wine.
Melfi was an important Norman stronghold, and in its castle the emperor Frederick II issued the Constitutions of Melfi in 1231. Today the castle holds the national archaeological museum of the area. Venosa, birthplace of the Roman poet Horace, has an Aragonese castle, Roman remains and the abbey of the Santissima Trinità with its unfinished church, the Incompiuta.
Highlights
- Melfi castle: Norman fortress and archaeological museum.
- Venosa: castle, Roman park and Horace’s town.
- The Incompiuta: a vast church left unfinished.
- Monticchio lakes: crater lakes and an abbey in the woods.
- Aglianico del Vulture: winery visits and tastings.
- Rionero and Barile: wine towns with cellars dug into the tuff.
Quick facts
| Province | Potenza, northern Basilicata |
|---|---|
| Wine | Aglianico del Vulture |
| From Potenza | About 1 hour by car |
| Ideal stay | One or two nights |
| Best for | Castles, wine, Norman and Roman history |
| Getting around | Car; trains link Potenza with Melfi and Rionero |
How long to stay & where to base yourself
One or two nights work well. Venosa is the more attractive town to sleep in, with good guesthouses; Melfi is close to the lakes. Wine lovers can stay at an agriturismo among the vineyards.
