MATERA - HAMLETS AND CASTLES OF LUCANIA
TOUR 5 DAYS/ 4 NIGHTS
1st day - Melfi
Meeting participants in Melfi. Arrangement in hotel, dinner and night.
2nd day - Lakes of Monticchio - Melfi - Venosa
Melfi (or surroundings) - Breakfast in hotel. Departure for excursion to the lakes of Monticchio, two body of water or Vulcan origin at the feet of Monte Vulture. On the smaller one looks in the mirror the San Michele abbey of medieval origin. Its wonderful building, that today hosts the Museo di Storia Naturale del Vulture, is “hung” on a rocky crag and rolled up impenetrable woods. At the end of the visit transfer to Melfi and visit of its medieval centre. The visit is articulated between medieval walls, with the venosina door, the Palazzo del Vescovado and the Cathedral. It finish at the Castle, who overlooks the inhabited. The momument host actually the Museo Nazionale Archaeological del Melfese. Lunch in restaurant. During the afternoon departure to Venosa, the city of Orazio. Visit the Castle, the Cathedral and out of the centre the abbatial complex of S.S. Trinità, established from the “Chiesa Vecchia” of 1000 and the “Chiesa Incompiuta” of 1200. Return in hotel. Dinner and night.
3rd day - Lagopesole - Acerenza - Castelmezzano - Matera
Melfi (or surroundings) - Breakfast in hotel. Departure to Matera with a stop in Lagopesole for a visit of the castle who overlooks the entire valley. Continuing to Acerenza, one of the most beautiful village of Italy. The castle of early middle ages origin. To be visited the splendid Cathedral of XI century dedicated to Assunta and to San Canio in Romanique style. Lunch in restaurant. In the afternoon continuing to the small Dolomiti from Basilicata where will be visited Castelmezzano, medieval village set between mountains, that offers suggestive panoramas. Since some years is possible see the so-called “Volo dell’Angelo”, an amazing fly along a steel cable suspended between Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa, the other center of Dolomiti from Basilicata. After the visits transfer to Matera. Arrangement in hotel, dinner and night.
4th day- Matera
Matera - Breakfast in hotel. Guided visit dedicated to Matera. Will be discovered the districts of Sassi Caveoso and Barisano, from 1995 admitted from UNESCO World heritage. The visit includes the historical center with the cathedral and some rugged churches. Don’t miss the visit to the Casa Grotta Lunch in restaurant. During the afternoon possibility to take part of a guided tour of Parco della Murgia Materana. The itinerary twists in the panoramic area of Murgia Timone in front of the Sassi di Matera and consist of a section of approx. 600 mts. by walk. The tour includes the visit to the rugged complex of San Falcione, with one of the most ancient rugged church of the Murgia, and the visit of the rugged church of Madonna delle Tre Porte, enriched with admirable frescoes. Dinner in hotel and night.
5th day
Matera - Breakfast in hotel and check-out. Finish of the services.