Welcome to
Potenza
From Jesse's Journeys in Italy
Population: 69,295
(2003)
Official site:
Potenza
Wikipedia:
Potenza
Map:
MapQuest
Potenza, was first settled by the
Lucanians who, during the 3rd
Century BC, took refuge here after the
Romans
destroyed other parts of what was then
Lucania. However, by the
2nd Century BC even this redoubt fell
under Roman control. But the
Romans, in due course, lost their
empire, and the city was sacked by the
Goths, then
over the centuries fell under the
control of succeeding powers: the
Longobards,
Byzantines,
Normans,
Holy Roman Empire,
the Aragonese and the Bourbons.
Long prone to damage from earthquake, it
was utterly shaken by a quake in 1694,
and another in 1980. In between,
the allies devastated the Potenza with
heavey air bombardments in 1943 during
the 2nd World War.
The "modern" rebuilt city, featuring
many featureless apartment buildings,
office complexes and light industrial
establishments but also much of its
medieval aspect,
spreads over several hills at an
elevation of over 820 meters (2700 feet)
on the flanks of the southern
Appenines in
an area that from an economic point of
view, remains quite poor. The City
is the capital of the
Region of
Basilicata and Potenza Province.
The Centro Storico centers around
Piazza Matteotti fronted by the
Palazzo del Comune. Nearby
is the Duomo, dedicated to
Saint Gerard, who is Potenza's patron
saint. Originally constructed in
the 12th Century, the cathedral was
rebuilt in the late 1770s.
The Church of San Francesco, started in
the late 11th Century 1274 which has
survived both earthquakes and bombings.
Inside, one finds a Renaissance
sepulchre and a number of paintings
including the aptly named Madonna del
Terremoto (Our Lady of the
Earthquake) done in the Byzantine style
during the 13th century.
The
Provincial Archaeological Museum,
displaying artifacts of Lucanian, Greek,
Roman, Byzantine and later artifacts is
near the Chiesa Santa Maria built
in the 12th Century. Another
church of interest, Saint Michael the
Archangel was built in the
Romanesque style
in the 12th Century.
At the top of the City are the ruins of
an old Norman fort, probably built on
the foundations of the Roman and
Byzantine fortresses that preceded it.
The Castle tower, which has more or less
survived, was built prior to the 11th
Century.
Potenza, with its mild climate, and as
the capital city of Basilicata, is a
growing university town with a vibrant
and friendly atmosphere. It merits
a visit, if for no other reason than to
pass through the spectacular, earthquake
fractured landscape, consisting of
rugged mountains and wide, verdant
valleys where the durable people of the
area have farmed for centuries.
Leaving Potenza and traveling north on
the Potenza-Candela superstrada,
past the turn-off for Castel Lago
Pesole, where
Frederick II built a massive Swabian
castle, one encounters an enormous
valley surrounded by seven peaks in the
Vulture range. In the valley,
there are two glittering alpine lakes,
but also miles of cultivated feeds,
vineyards and olive groves.
Sometimes, the rebuilt cities of the
Mezzogiorno - the South of Italy - have
a kind of off-putting rawness, a seeming
lack of sophistication. But, stand
in their midst, mindful of their history
and the various devastations that have
been visited upon them, and you might
see through the mist of sentimentality
through which visitors see Italy.
What one sees of course, is ultimately
life affirming.
by Vian Andrews, September 25th, 2005 |
