The territory of Pisticci is characterised in particular by the presence of gullies, clayey rocks formed by soil erosion, which give the landscape an evocative lunar aspect. In the historic centre of the town, built on the hills of Serra Cipolla, San Francesco and Monte Como, we find the Mother Church of Saints Pietro and Paolo, in Romanesque-Renaissance style built on a pre-existing church in the Dirupo district. Its large and tall hemispherical dome stands out and peeps out from every corner of the historic centre; precious are the altars and the Baroque style canvases preserved inside. The Abbey of Santa Maria del Casale most likely has very ancient origins, indeed it seems to have been built around 1087 by Rodolfo Maccabeo and Emma d’Altavilla on the ruins of an ancient Greek-Byzantine monastery. The church, in Apulian Romanesque style, preserves a valuable wooden statue of the Virgin dating back to the 12th century. In the central square of the town is the Church of Sant’Antonio, until 1860 part of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, with three naves and preserving numerous Baroque style frescoes and altars made of Carrara marble. The heart of the village is Piazza Umberto I, which features buildings of great historical importance, such as the Palazzocchio, seat of an archive of the sixteenth century and Palazzo Giannantonio, dating back to the end of the 17th century, today the seat of the municipality. Very impressive is the small square on two levels called the “Terrazzo del melograno”, characterised by arches and beautiful murals, depicting pomegranate flowers and fruits.
Between the historic centre and the immediate surroundings there is a system of defensive towers such as the Torre Bruni, Accio and Minnaia.
The castle of San Basilio was built by the Basilian monks in the 7th century as a fortified farmhouse; later, with the advent of the Normans, it increasingly assumed the characteristics of a manor as the building was enlarged with a central tower. After the Norman domination the castle was donated to the Benedictine community of the abbey of Santa Maria del Casale di Pisticci.
The Marina of Pisticci consists of eight kilometres of sandy beaches framed by a crystalline sea, such as those of San Basilio, San Teodoro and Macchia. A strategic point is Porto degli Argonauti, which welcomes the crews who have chosen Basilicata for their holidays. Landing place for small-medium coastal boats, it is able to accommodate up to 450 vessels even longer than 30 meters.
One of the most famous Basilicata products in the world was born in Pisticci: the Amaro Lucano, symbol of the region and its characteristics of tradition and genuineness. The recipe based on herbs and a mysterious ingredient is handed down from year to year by the members of the Vena family, who jealously guard it.
