Italy Maximum
I Love Touring Italy - Basilicata
If you are contemplating touring Europe, you should consider the Basilicata region of southern Italy. Basilicata forms the instep of the Italian boot and has two small seacoasts, one on the Ionian Sea in the east and one on the Tyrrhenian Sea in the west. Depending on your interests, Basilicata may be an ideal vacation spot. You can get classic Italian food, and wash it down with fine local wine. Basilicata is among the few regions of Italy as yet undiscovered by tourists. There's a tradeoff; you won't have to fight the crowds to see what you want to see. On the other hand, you'll have a hard time finding fancy hotels. And its roads are not always the best, hardly surprising when you consider the region's mountainous terrain.
Basilicata's population is only slightly above six hundred thousand. While quite mountainous this is the only region of Italy in which farm workers outnumber industrial workers. Up until the 1970s it steadily lost population to other Italian regions and to emigration abroad. But all is not lost. Its east coast has become an important agricultural area. And the mountainous interior with poor soil and lots of sun; what could be better for producing fine wine? Let's not forget that many consider Basilicata's native Aglianico (also found in Campania) to be Italy's third best red grape, after Nebbiolo and Sangiovese. It sounds like there could be a major breakthrough in Basilicata's wine industry.
We'll start our tour of this region in the northeast at Matera. Then we head south and east to Potenza. From there we go southeast to Aliano and then south and east to Terranova di Pollino and the Parco Nazionale. If you want a bit of seaside you could continue to the little town of Maratea on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. When driving in this part of the world, you'll need a good map and good reflexes; the roads here don't always go directly from Point A to Point B and rarely go in a straight line.
Matera, population sixty thousand, lies just south of the Apulia border. This area has been settled since Palaeolithic times, in other words for at least twelve thousand years. The Romans claimed to have founded the city in the Third Century B. C. Like so many other parts of Italy it was occupied by an almost never-ending stream of invaders. One of the proudest moments in Matera's history was in September 1943 when it rose against the German invaders, the first Italian city to do so. We'll start by visiting some typical sights and finish with something truly unique.
Matera's Duomo (Cathedral) dates from the Thirteenth Century and was built in the Apulian-Romanesque style (Apulia is the region north of Basilicata, its architecture reflects Greek, Arab, and Norman influences.) There are frescoes and sculptures to admire. Check to see if the Thirteenth Century Romanesque Church of San Giovanni Battista has been reopened for tourists. If so, stop by. But these sights pale in comparison to Matera's unique old town in which the streets are often rooftops and the houses, churches, and chic restaurants are caves, hewn out of solid rock.
The Sassi di Matera (Stones of Matera) are caves that have been occupied continuously by human beings for an estimated nine thousand years. At twenty years per generation, (remember they didn't wait to finish law school before starting a family in those days) this works out to an incredible 450 generations possibly living in the same neighborhood. The area has been named a World Heritage Site and numerous bars and restaurants now take advantage of this unique location. What a turnaround from the days when Matera because of the Sassi was called ''la vergogna nazionale,'' Italy's shame.
Potenza with a population slightly under 70 thousand is the capital of Basilicata. Here in a famous battle Carthage definitively lost to Rome. The city has known numerous invasions and earthquakes, the latest in 1980. During the Second World War the Allies heavily bombarded Potenza. Monuments to see include the Twelfth Century St. Gerard Cathedral, and the Eleventh Century Church of San Francesco which includes a Renaissance painting entitled Madonna del Terremoto (Our Lady of the Earthquake). The Romanesque Church St. Michael the Archangel was also built in the Twelfth Century as was the Church of St. Mary of the Sepulcher. You should also see the Castle's Tower built prior to the year 1000 and the ruins of a Norman fort, probably built on Roman and Byzantine foundations. All in all there's a lot of old stuff to see for a small provincial capital that was almost destroyed by earthquakes.
With less than twelve hundred inhabitants you might be tempted to skip the village of Aliano. Don't, it's living proof of the phrase - good things come in small packages. The scenery is spectacular; cliffs and rivers, and gullies, and local growing things include olive, peach, and citrus trees. This lovely scenery may be typical of the region. However, unlike any neighboring village Aliano is famous thanks to an involuntary visitor who stopped by more than seventy years ago. Between May, 1935 and October, 1936 Aliano was the home in exile of the well-known author Carlo Levi. Levi, a painter educated as a doctor, was a founder of an Italian anti-Mussolini movement. This explains his unintentional extended Aliano visit. Once released from exile Levi spent two years in France but returned to Italy and was imprisoned once again. After the war he wrote a book, Christ Stopped at Eboli, about his Aliano experiences. This book exposed the problem of poverty in Southern Italy to the relatively prosperous North. Levi served nine years in the Italian Senate where he continued his fight against poverty. He is buried in the village. The house where he lived is still standing; it is now the Museo Storico Carlo Levi (Carlo Levi Historical Museum).
Terranova di Pollino is a mountain village in southern Basilicata very close to Calabria. It lies at the entrance to the Parco Nazionale del Pollino (Pollino National Park) the largest in Italy at just under 750 square miles (more than 1900 square kilometers.) Let's quote their website "With its 192,565 hectares, Pollino National Park, the largest protected area in Italy between Calabria and Basilicata, has a wealth of landscapes to offer: great areas of wilderness where the cuirassed pine -the true emblem of the park- clings to the rocky slopes as the wind shapes its twisted trunk; close by there are rolling hills and valleys, lush slopes with flowering plants in springtime, and then endless upland plains where the sheep still graze like in ancient times."
But that's not all. The park is home to a wide variety of Endangered Species. Many fossils have been found including a very well preserved skeleton of a giant elephant that lived between 400,000 and 700,000 years ago. Other fossils date from the time when dinosaurs ruled the earth. Historic churches abound in the neighboring villages. Many of these villages are home to ethnic Albanians who managed to maintain their language and culture for over five hundred years. Look for their festivals during the spring and summer months.
What about food? Basilicata is very traditional when it comes to cooking. As expected in an economically deprived area meat consumption is limited. The major meat is pork and the locals know how to extract the maximum from their porkers. Hot peppers are popular and can be quite hot. Basilicata bread is consumed in many parts of Italy. Locals make a special pasta from wheat and lard. The Pollino mountains are famous for their wild mushrooms and for game.
Let's suggest a sample menu, one of many. Start with Zuppa di Pesce alla Santavenere (Ionian Fish and Seafood Soup). Then try Spezzatino di Agnello (Lamb stewed in an earthenware pot). For dessert indulge yourself with Frittelle alla Lucana (Doughnuts). Be sure to increase your dining pleasure by including local wines with your meal.
We'll conclude with a quick look at Basilicata wine. Basilicata ranks 17th among the 20 Italian regions for the acreage devoted to wine grapes and for total annual wine production. About 73% of the wine produced is red or ros?leaving 27% white. The region produces two DOC wines, Aglianico del Vulture and Terre dell Alta Val d'Agri. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine. Only 2.4% of Bascilicata wine carries the DOC designation.
If you like powerful wines, try the Aglianico del Vulture from a local grape that grows on the extinct Mount Vulture volcano or its surrounding hills. This wine may be cellared for up to twenty years. The sparkling version may be either dry or sweet. The red Terre dell Alta Val d'Agri is made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and possibly some local red grapes. The rose version may include some local white grapes as well.
About the Author
Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten computer and Internet books, but between you and me, he prefers fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods and good company. He knows what dieting is, and is glad that for the time being he can eat and drink what he wants, in moderation. He loves teaching computer classes at an Ontario French-language community college. Visit his new wine, diet, health, and nutrition website www.wineinyourdiet.com and his global wine website www.theworldwidewine.com.
Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera (Italy) VS Nissan Skyline GT-R (Japan)
 |
 2 Italy VATICAN Maximum Cards 1967 Saint Peters TWO CARDS z22 $15.00 Time Remaining: 29d 23h 55m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 Buy It Now |
 Italy Costumi Abrurresi il Tombolo Abruzzi and Molise Maximum Postcard 1952 $0.99 Time Remaining: 3d 14h 53m |
 painter Italy Michelangelo 1957 Maximum Card 46174 $6.00 Time Remaining: 28d 3h 4m Buy It Now for only: $6.00 Buy It Now |
 Brill Magazine 1908 May Reprint Montgomery Italy Vancouver Maximum traction truc $15.00 Time Remaining: 19d 22h 30m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 Buy It Now |
 paintings Alberto Burri Italy painter maximum card 47186 $3.00 Time Remaining: 28d 3h 4m Buy It Now for only: $3.00 Buy It Now |
 NEW Italy Design Ladies Sunglasses MAXIMUM UV PROTECTION $10.00 Time Remaining: 6d 28m Buy It Now for only: $10.00 Buy It Now |
 NEW Italy Design Ladies Sunglasses MAXIMUM UV PROTECTION $10.00 Time Remaining: 6d 37m Buy It Now for only: $10.00 Buy It Now |
 JUDAICA SYNAGOGUE 2004 ISRAEL ITALY COMBO MAXIMUM CARD FDC $3.95 Time Remaining: 12d 12h 24m Buy It Now for only: $3.95 Buy It Now |
 ITALY POPE PAUL PONTIFEX MAXIMUM PAVLVS VI PONTMAXIMVS CATHOLIC MEDAL DRAGON $9.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 23h 48m |
 Italy 1985 Italia Stamp Exhibition Stamp on Stamp 1v Maximum Card FDC $4.00 Time Remaining: 5d 19h 3m Buy It Now for only: $4.00 Buy It Now |
 MAXIMUM CARD FRANCE ITALY ITALIE ITALIA ROMA ROME $6.55 Time Remaining: 28d 18h 35m Buy It Now for only: $6.55 Buy It Now |
 writer Italy poetry Petrarque 1956 maximum card 46172 $5.00 Time Remaining: 28d 2h 59m Buy It Now for only: $5.00 Buy It Now |
 GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI ITALY UNITY 150th ANNIV LA MADDALENA POSTMARK MAXIMUM CARD $13.00 Time Remaining: 15d 14h 32m Buy It Now for only: $13.00 Buy It Now |
 URUGUAY 1982 ITALY GRALGIUSEPPE GARIBALDI MAXIMUM CARD $7.50 Time Remaining: 7d 18h 11m Buy It Now for only: $7.50 Buy It Now |
 NEW Italy Design Ladies Sunglasses MAXIMUM UV PROTECTION $10.00 Time Remaining: 6d 24m Buy It Now for only: $10.00 Buy It Now |
 1990 YUGOSLAVIA MAXIMUM CARD MC FOR FIFA SOCCER World Cup IN ITALY $3.50 Time Remaining: 9h 18m |
 ITALY 1982 2 Maximum Cards FV192 $3.16 Time Remaining: 22d 6h 17m Buy It Now for only: $3.16 Buy It Now |
 NEW Italy Design Ladies Sunglasses MAXIMUM UV PROTECTION $10.00 Time Remaining: 6d 34m Buy It Now for only: $10.00 Buy It Now |
 ITALY HISTORY REPUBLICAN CARLO CATTANEO MAXIMUM CARD LIMITED EDITION $12.00 Time Remaining: 19d 23h 12m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 Buy It Now |
 Italy 1963 Golden Series Maximum Card Keys of St Peter Sc 363 364 $6.00 Time Remaining: 9d 22h 2m Buy It Now for only: $6.00 Buy It Now |
 PAINTINGS TITIAN SOLOME ST JOHN BAPTIST ITALY MAXIMUM CARD $13.50 Time Remaining: 29d 22h 29m Buy It Now for only: $13.50 Buy It Now |
 Italy 1984 Fountain Architecture 1v Maximum Card FDC $5.90 Time Remaining: 20d 17h 2m Buy It Now for only: $5.90 Buy It Now |
 1990 YUGOSLAVIA MAXIMUM CARD MC FOR FIFA SOCCER WORLD CUP IN ITALY $3.50 Time Remaining: 9h 18m |
 ITALY HISTORY Painting Hayez COUNTESS MAFFEI MAXIMUM CARD Limited Edition $12.00 Time Remaining: 6d 19h 19m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 Buy It Now |
 ITALY HISTORY CAMILLO BENSO EARL OF CAVOUR MAXIMUM CARD LIMITED EDITION $12.00 Time Remaining: 19d 23h 10m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 Buy It Now |
 Italy 1985 Homeless 1v Maximum Card FDC $5.90 Time Remaining: 9d 12h 53m Buy It Now for only: $5.90 Buy It Now |
 Italy 1962 St Catherine of Siena Religion 1v Maximum Card FDC $9.90 Time Remaining: 29d 17h 47m Buy It Now for only: $9.90 Buy It Now |
 Italy 1978 Christmas Art 1v Maximum Card FDC $5.90 Time Remaining: 9d 12h 28m Buy It Now for only: $5.90 Buy It Now |
 3 BOB USPS maximum souvenir cards MILAN ITALY BELGIUM PARIS France USA 1972 6 $3.99 Time Remaining: 11d 12h 44m Buy It Now for only: $3.99 Buy It Now |
 Italy 1983 Castle Procession Horses 1v Maximum Card FDC $5.90 Time Remaining: 15d 18h 53m Buy It Now for only: $5.90 Buy It Now |
 Italy 1957 Europa set on Maximum Card FDC $6.00 Time Remaining: 15h 39m Buy It Now for only: $7.00 Buy It Now |
 Italy 1984 Santa Rosa Monument Costumes 1v Maximum Card FDC $5.90 Time Remaining: 15d 18h 53m Buy It Now for only: $5.90 Buy It Now |
 ROYALTY KING VICTOR EMMANUEL II ITALY UNITY 150th ANNIV MAXIMUM CARD $12.00 Time Remaining: 29d 18h 14m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 Buy It Now |
 FOOTBALL SOCCER INTER 2011 ITALY CUP WINNER MAXIMUM CARD LIMITED EDITION $12.00 Time Remaining: 29d 18h 8m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 Buy It Now |
 PATRIOT CARLO PISACANE ITALY UNITY 150th ANNIVERSARY MAXIMUM CARD Limited Editio $12.00 Time Remaining: 25d 19h 39m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 Buy It Now |
 Italy 1983 Automobile Industry Maps 2v Maximum Card FDC $7.90 Time Remaining: 19d 19h 6m Buy It Now for only: $7.90 Buy It Now |
 MAXI CARD Maximum postcard 1961 Medea Lodi Italy France $6.00 Time Remaining: 15d 11h 1m Buy It Now for only: $6.00 Buy It Now |
 Italy 1955 Seventh Birth centenary of Marco Polo maximum postcard cover $1.56 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 2d 14h 56m |
 Italy 1984 Architecture 1v Maximum Card FDC $5.90 Time Remaining: 20d 17h 2m Buy It Now for only: $5.90 Buy It Now |
 Italy 1984 Padula Architecture 1v Maximum Card FDC $5.90 Time Remaining: 20d 17h 2m Buy It Now for only: $5.90 Buy It Now |
 Italy 1982 Villa Reale Architecture 1v Maximum Card FDC $5.90 Time Remaining: 20d 17h 2m Buy It Now for only: $5.90 Buy It Now |
 Italy 1980 St Catherine of Sienna Art Religion 1v Maximum Card FDC $6.90 Time Remaining: 27d 17h 18m Buy It Now for only: $6.90 Buy It Now |
 Italy 1985 Ham Radio Communications 1v Maximum Card FDC $8.90 Time Remaining: 9d 14h 6m Buy It Now for only: $8.90 Buy It Now |
 FOOTBALL SOCCER ITALY WORLD CHAMPS MAXIMUM CARD $14.00 Time Remaining: 26d 17h 18m Buy It Now for only: $14.00 Buy It Now |
 Italy 1954 Fifth birth centenary of Amerigo Vespucci maximum postcard cover $1.56 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3d 15h 49m |
 MAXIMUM CARD ITALY ITALIA ROMA ROME SANCTA SANCTORUM $6.99 Time Remaining: 5d 21h 42m Buy It Now for only: $6.99 Buy It Now |
 WOMEN NILDE JOTTI STATESPERSON Italy MAXIMUM CARD $13.00 Time Remaining: 2d 21h 58m Buy It Now for only: $13.00 Buy It Now |
 MOUNTAINS ALPS TARVISIO LUSSARI MOUNT ITALY 2011 MAXIMUM CARD $12.00 Time Remaining: 24d 17h 48m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 Buy It Now |
 ANIMALS BEAR ITALY MAXIMUM CARD $15.00 Time Remaining: 21d 14h 30m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 Buy It Now |
 ITALY HISTORY Painting Hayez WRITER CRISTINA BELGIOIOSO MAXIMUM CARD $12.50 Time Remaining: 26d 11h 37m Buy It Now for only: $12.50 Buy It Now |
 Carte Maximum Card Italy 1946 Lucca architecture $29.99 Time Remaining: 27d 9h 43m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 Buy It Now |
 VCT Universal 6 Outlet Power Strip / Surge Protector, 15Amp-110/240V For Worldwide Use. Model-USP-600 Sale Price: $26.95  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description110V-250V Surge protector for Worldwide Use Input Voltage-110V-250V Maximum Capacity 3500 watts 6 gang universal outlet extension set w/ window shutter & circuit breaker 3500W Universal outlets accept plugs from any country Hard wired with the grounded american plug...  |
 The 2009 Import and Export Market for Hoods with Fans Having a Maximum Horizontal Side Up to 120 cms in Italy Sale Price: $219.00 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Available for download now See Reviews For This Product DescriptionOn the demand side, exporters and strategic planners focusing on hoods with fans having a maximum horizontal side up to 120 cms in Italy face a number of questions. Which countries are supplying hoods with fans having a maximum horizontal side up to 120 cms to Italy? How important is Italy compared to others in terms of the entire global and regional market? How much do the imports of hoods with fans having a maximum horizontal side up to 120 cms vary from one country of origin to another in Italy? On the supply side, Italy also exports hoods with fans having a maximum horizontal side up to 120 cms... |
 Maximum remedium Sale Price: $0.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product |
![Maximum Velocity (V-Max) ( Velocità massima ) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Italy ]](http://www.historythroughstamps.com/media/images/i/51QCMNNDJPL._SL75_.jpg) Maximum Velocity (V-Max) ( Velocità massima ) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Italy ] Sale Price: $28.99 See Reviews For This Product DescriptionItaly released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada: LANGUAGES: Italian ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), English ( Subtitles ), French ( Subtitles ), Italian ( Subtitles ), ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN (1... |
 Battles in Italy See Reviews For This Product DescriptionBattles in Italy is the latest title in the award-wining Decisive Battles in WWII series from Strategic Studies Group. It takes you to three of the toughest fought battles in the Mediterranean -- the invasion of Sicily, codenamed Operation Husky, the landings at Salerno, codenamed Operation Avalanche and the landings at Anzio, codenamed Operation Shingle... |
 Chicco Ct0.6 Capri Lightweight Stroller, Topazio List Price: Sale Price: $64.99 You save: $5.00 (7%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThe Chicco C6 Lightweight Stroller, designed in Italy, has a rugged yet lightweight annodized aluminum frame that weighs only 11lbs but comes loaded with features you would only expect to find on a full-size stroller! |
 Italy - Wilson Maximum Novelty Golf Ball Sale Price: $17.95 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionItaly Novelty Wilson Maximum Golf Balls - The Wilson Maximum Golf Balls are made for distance. This two piece, distance golf ball offers a cut-proof ionomer cover and a high powered core for maximum distance... |
 Samsung a167 Prepaid GoPhone (AT&T) with $15 Airtime Credit List Price: Sale Price: $55.00 See Reviews For This Product DescriptionKeep your friends and family close even when you're away with the stylish, easy-to-use Samsung A167 clamshell phone, with access to popular instant messaging services as well as text messaging and voice communications... |
 Poise Pads Ultimate Absorbency, 36-Count Packages (Pack of 4) List Price: Sale Price: $48.50 You save: $19.46 (29%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionUltimate Protection POISE pantiliners help you stand tall and face the day with confidence. POISE bladder control pads and POISE pantiliners provide comfortable protection for women in a variety of absorbency levels... |
 Step Down 500 watts Voltage Transformer Sale Price: $24.95 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description500 Watt maximum capacity heavy-duty continuous use transformer » Converts 220/240 Volts down to 110/120 Volts » One grounded outlet in front of unit (accepts 3 or 2 prong US and Euro plugs) » Hard wired with a European Shucko plug also good for Asian outlets » Built-in fuse protection » Durable design with a heavy-duty cord Weight: 8 Lbs Dimensions(LxBxH): 6" X 6" X 5" |
