Paterno
Welcome to the province of Potenza!
The province of Potenza, called "Provìngë e' Putènzë" in the local dialect, is located in the Italian region of Basilicata with a population of 345,818 people. Situated in the southwest of the Tyrrhenian Sea, it borders Campania to the west, Puglia to the north, Matera to the east, and Calabria to the south. Despite having been affected by various earthquakes, the province remains a fascinating place to explore with its wild nature, lakes, historical and cultural heritage, and cuisine.
The geography of the province of Potenza
The province of Potenza is the second largest province in Basilicata in terms of area. It has a variety of landscapes, from the industrial center of San Nicola di Melfi, to the coast of Maratea (the only outlet to the sea), to the lucanian forest, the massif of Monte Sirino, and the vast Pollino National Park (shared with Calabria). The main city of the province is Potenza, where public services are concentrated. Melfi is the second largest city due to the presence of the Fiat plant and activities related to the automotive industry. The province of Potenza is crossed by the A3 highway and the Raccordo autostradale 5, which leads to the Basentana state road.
The municipalities of the province of Potenza
The province of Potenza has the largest number of municipalities in Basilicata, with a total of 100. Five of these are of Arbëreshë origin: Barile, Ginestra, Maschito, San Costantino Albanese, and San Paolo Albanese. The most populous municipalities are Potenza (66,246 inhabitants), Melfi (17,865 inhabitants), Tito (10,018 inhabitants), and Rionero in Vulture (9,903 inhabitants).
The history and culture of the province of Potenza
The territory of the province of Potenza shows a strong presence of religious art and architecture, as demonstrated by the Cathedral of San Gerardo in Potenza, the Church of San Francesco d'Assisi in Melfi, the Church of Santa Maria della Consolazione in Acerenza, and the Church of Sant'Angelo in Laurenzana. The historic cities of Venosa, Melfi, and Potenza are part of the province's cultural heritage. Lucanian cuisine is known for its simple and tasty dishes such as pasta with sardines, cima di rape, peperoni cruschi, and bread with breadcrumbs. The musical tradition is also maintained through the festival of Maestro Francesco Stabile in Teana and the festival of Madonna del Carmine in Potenza.
Discover the province of Potenza!
The province of Potenza offers visitors many opportunities to discover unspoiled nature, culture, and history. You can visit the lakes of Monticchio, the massif of Monte Sirino, the Pollino National Park, and the historic cities. For lovers of cuisine, the province offers a great variety of traditional dishes. Come and discover the beauty of the province of Potenza!
