Discover Basilicata

Basilicata - also known by its historic name of Lucania - is one of the least populated areas of Italy and renowned for its natural beauty, stress-free lifestyle, guaranteed sunshine and authentic cuisine. The area is dotted with Agriturismo offering generous portions of delicious locally-grown food and wine and a comfortable bed for the night at very attractive prices.

The beauty of Basilicata lies in its stunning and varied natural settings. It boasts of dramatic forest-covered mountains, including 9 protected nature reserves and parks covering approx. 30% of the total region, innumerable rivers and lakes, and 2 coastal sea sides - one of which is in the process of submission as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Basilicata takes pride in its natural beauty and works hard to prioritize and maintain the ecological integrity of the region. 

By consequence, there is a plethora of natural wildlife here; boars, deer, porcupines, black squirrels, foxes, otters, wolves, mouflon, badgers, golden eagles, grouse, kites, kestrels, buzzards, and falcons to name but a few. The mountains are also renowned for mushrooms and truffles, and contain many berries, walnut, acorn and chestnut trees, etc.

Although southern Italy can be very hot in the summer, Basilicata's elevation offers cooler continental temperatures that make living here very pleasant while the seaside offers coastal Mediterranean climes. In fact all seasons are enjoyed here, with skiing on Mount Sirino in the winter, a good growing season for a vegetable garden in spring and summer, and a beautiful autumn when the forested mountains turn yellow, burnt-orange and red. 

As in all of Italy, there is an abundance of historical and cultural wealth in Basilicata. Matera was European Cultural Capitol in 2019 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Its caves are considered the most outstanding prehistoric settlement in the Mediterranean and the magical town evidences human civilization through the millennia and has been used as movie set for various blockbuster movies. Then there are other archaeological sites of Magna Grecia and the Roman Empire,  and most towns have medieval castles and churches.

Basilicata is mostly made up of quaint hill-top towns and scattered field farms. The benefits of living in a rural community in southern Italy are many - the people are warm, welcoming and hospitable and share a sense of community not found in large towns or cities. People work hard but have a healthy life balance prioritizing family and happiness first. The food is excellent and the wine sublime.  Many people prefer to grow their own fruit and vegetables and raise chickens, pigs, sheep goats, rabbits, etc., so the quality of fresh seasonal foods available is very high and the cost very low at farmer's markets, supermarkets, bars and restaurants.

 
Property, land and cost of living is also surprisingly low so your money goes much farther when it comes to investment and bills. 

Italy is very socially-forward and guarantees all legal residents the same social security and welfare benefits equal to Italian citizens. The accessibility and ease of dealing with any public office is also a huge benefit to living and buying property in Basilicata: being rural, administrative offices are usually available over the phone or on a walk-in basis, personable and helpful, and many civil processes are run via modern online systems with user portals that ensures efficiency and transparency. The rural healthcare system is very good and provides access to specialist centers in the capital of Potenza and throughout Italy.