Basilicata

Lucania or Basilicata?

Today known as Basilicata, this fascinating region of Southern Italy was historically called Lucania, a name still deeply connected to its cultural identity. Located between Campania, Puglia, and Calabria, Basilicata is a land of mountains, rivers, forests, and rolling hills that have shaped its history for thousands of years.

Its territory is crossed by important rivers such as the Bradano, Basento, Agri, and Sinni, while the Apennine mountain range has always influenced both the climate and the way people lived. The combination of natural beauty and geographical isolation helped preserve traditions that can still be experienced today.

Prehistoric Origins

Human presence in Basilicata dates back to the Neolithic period, between 8000 and 3500 BC. Archaeological discoveries around Matera, Melfi, and other parts of the region reveal that some of the earliest communities in Southern Italy settled here.

Over time, these populations evolved from simple farming communities into societies based on both agriculture and livestock breeding. During the Bronze Age, stable settlements became increasingly common, taking advantage of fertile valleys and natural resources.

By the Iron Age, the region was inhabited by ancient peoples such as the Enotrians and later the Lucanians, who developed a strong connection with the land and established the foundations of the region's cultural identity.

The Greek Colonization and Magna Graecia

One of the most significant chapters in Basilicata's history began with the arrival of Greek settlers during the 8th century BC. They established prosperous colonies along the Ionian coast and transformed the region into an important part of Magna Graecia.

Agriculture expanded dramatically, trade flourished, and new cultural influences spread throughout the territory. Cities such as Metapontum became centers of learning, commerce, and innovation, attracting philosophers, merchants, and artisans from across the Mediterranean.

The Greek legacy can still be seen today in archaeological sites, temples, and museums that preserve the memory of this extraordinary period.

The Roman Era

Beginning in the 3rd century BC, Basilicata gradually came under Roman control. The Romans strengthened the road network, founded strategic settlements such as Venosa and Grumentum, and integrated the region into the growing Roman Empire.

Large agricultural estates developed throughout the territory, while agriculture and livestock farming became the backbone of the local economy. Roman influence helped define many of the territorial and cultural characteristics that still distinguish Basilicata today.

As the Roman Empire declined, many once-thriving settlements were abandoned, opening the door to a new era marked by invasions, migrations, and political change.