Delicious Italy - Religious Tourism in Basilicata

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Religious Tourism in Basilicata

Written by Philip Curnow

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Benedictine Abbey of Montescaglioso © Copyright Delicious Italy

Waves and waves of invaders have passed through Basilicata or Lucania and each has left a permanent mark. It is worth the effort to track them down and the Basilicata region tourism authority has produced a glossy leaflet which offers an interesting view of the development of faith and religion in the region.

It doesn't just list the places to see, but sets them in a sort of spiritual chronology through the lives of the inhabitants. The mix is intriguing. Try 'Murgia Materana' for Neolithic tombs, the 'Piana Metaponto' plain for the Greek Civiltà, the 'Chiesa della Trinità' at Venosa for architectural heritage and the Abbey of San Michele at Montescaglioso (pictured above), as well as many others.

There are 24 religious structures which open their doors to the tourist in Basilicata, which is a small portion of the 3000 across all the Italian regions.

If religious tourism is not everyone's taste historical reenactment tourism might be, or even recreating great moments in the Hollywood history of the world in their original locations.

Whatever, we would just like all our readers to note that Lucania Basilicata was where Spartacus met his end after the slaves revolt of 72 BC.

Kirk Douglas and his men were attempting to escape Italy by hot footing it to the port of Brindisi. They never made it. Spartacus was slain in battle by M. Licinius Crassus, and 6000 rebels were captured and strung up along the Appian Way from Capua. Very grim!

Last modified on 21 December 2012