Pietrapertosa is the highest town in Basilicata and is part of the Gallipoli Cognato and Piccole Dolomiti Lucane Regional Park. Amazing from a naturalistic and landscape standpoint, so much so to be included among the most beautiful villages in Italy, it is characterised by its rocks with unusual shapes.
Traces of its Saracen origins remain in the district of Arabata, in the ruins of the tower and of the ancient fortress and in its castle carved into the rock. The latter was first used by the Saracens and later became a Norman-Swabian fortress. Unique and evocative for its panoramic position from which it is possible to admire the Little Lucanian Dolomites, it has always been used as a sighting spot.
Among the places of worship, the Mother Church of San Giacomo, with the interior featuring a single nave characterised by a wooden choir dating back to the sixteenth century of exquisite workmanship and several frescoes and canvases, including one by Ferro; the Convent of San Francesco and the annexed Church of the Observant Minor, a real treasure chest preserving some paintings by Pietrafesa, a polyptych by Giovanni Luce da Eboli, frescoes by Todisco and a carved wooden choir dating back to the sixteenth century. Due to its peculiarities, the church is considered one of the most important artistic expressions of Southern Italy. Remarkable, for its position just below the castle, is also the Church of San Cataldo.
Pietrapertosa owes its fame not only to the landscape of extraordinary beauty of the Little Lucanian Dolomites, but also to the Flight of the Angel: a steel cable that in just over a minute allows you to literally fly, suspended more than 100 meters above the ground, with a speed of 120 km per hour, to the village of Castelmezzano enjoying a unique and breathtaking scenery. For those who do not want to experience the adrenaline rush, the two villages are also connected by land through “The Path of the Seven Stones”. Through an ancient sheep track it is possible to take a journey of imagination and tradition that unfolds in seven stages, recovering a story taken from the text “Vito danced with the witches” by Lucanian journalist Mimmo Sammartino.
Every year in the village the ancestral rite of Maggio comes to life, the marriage of trees, U ‘Masc. The two trunks, the groom and the bride, are cut from the Montepiano wood, transported by oxen and joined “in marriage” in front of the bell tower of the Convent of San Francesco. After being raised, a “maggiaiolo” climbs the tree to reach its top full of prizes, in a festive atmosphere with songs, dances and tastings of excellent typical dishes.
Castle Ruins
Documented as a Saracen castle and later built up by the Normans, the castle of Pietrapertosa is now in ruins which overlook the town. Steps carved directly into the rock lead to a sandstone arch. The castle is not only worth visiting for the ruins themselves but for its incredible view, a combination of forests, mountains, streams, valleys and sky.
Sulle Tracce Degli Arabi (In the Footsteps of the Arab)
In August the town delves back into its Arabic influences with a cultural festival of traditional dress, food, music, enchanting dance performances and snake charmers.