Acerenza |
If you looked at a map, you might have trouble figuring out why
people so often speak of "Basilicata and Molise." Nowhere do the two tiny regions touch each other; at their closest they are separated by a generous stretch of the Campania-Apulia border. Molise sits on the "rear" of
the Italian calf muscle, its eastern edge lapped by the Adriatic. Basilica forms
a sort of misshapen half moon stretching from the boot's instep to the top of
the foot, and its two tiny coastlines face the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas. Perhaps
what associates these two regions in so many minds is little more than the way
they have been overlooked in the illustrious lineup of Italy's regions. Even
we at In Italy have neglected them. Last but not least or, as they say in Italy, dolce in fondo (save the sweet for the end of the meal).
Tursi |
If we had to be very very honest, there is only one reason we
could find for telling certain travelers not to bother with these two regions:
with a few renowned exceptions such as Matera and Maratea, they are not accustomed
to hosting foreigners. You won't find suave and sophisticated polyglot hoteliers
and restauranteurs here. The beds may be a bit lumpy. There may be only one place
to eat in town and it may have a limited menu featuring dishes you've never heard
of. Then there are the usual suspects: no screens on the windows, not enough
water pressure, sporadic "inefficiency"....
To sum up, these are regions for true travelers. If you fall
into that category, you can be very richly rewarded by allotting several days
to Basilicata and Molise. You'll find the archeological digs, medieval towns,
Romanesque churches, Renaissance frescoes and gourmet cuisine are as impressive
here as anyplace in Italy. You'll also find unparalleled natural wilderness,
and a few attractions you can find nowhere else on earth. We'll tell you all
about them in this issue.
- On a day's drive through Basilicata, you can easily combine history, art and breathtaking landscapes.
- The beautiful region of Molise is so far off the beaten track that not even many Italians have ever been there.
- A Basilicata Photo Album.
- In Remembering Italy, Rosemary Torigian actually takes us to Tuscany, but it's to celebrate an ageold tradition you can find in any town of Basilicata or Molise.
- One of UNESCO's World Heritage List locations is in Basilicata, and there's nothing like it anywhere else in Europe.
- Maratea is as beautiful as the Amalfi Coast, Capri or Portofino, but it has one added advantage: you can go swimming in the crystal-clear water!
- In Tiny Molise, you can see examples of virtually all the history
of religious architecture, all in the space of one day.
- A handful of Italy's most illustrious and oldest ancient sites is hidden along this area's beautiful seacoast.
- A virtual tour of ancient Venosa.
- Ever tried chicken alla cacciatora? This month Sims Brannon shows you a special Basilicata way to make it.
- If you're trying to find the location, zip code, area code,
province or region of a specific town, Click here.
- Looking for a Basilicata or Molise flag? Click here to find one, along with hundreds of other flags from Italy and around the world.
- Here's an extensive guide to the area's local festivals and costumed events.
- Ceramics, kitchen utensils, hand-made linens, antique bric-a-brac:
what better place to find souvenirs for your friends and yourself than a flea
market, set in the shadow of a 16th-century cathedral, perchance? Keep this calendar
of outdoor markets in Basilicata & Molise for your files.
- The basic facts about Basilicata and Molise.
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[Regions of Italy]
