Cultura

Cultura is a locality in the municipality of Marsicovetere, in the Province of Potenza, in Basilicata. If you are looking for hotels in Cultura, use the locality’s name as your destination and check the stated location of any specific offer. The municipality of Marsicovetere and the wider surrounding area offer a variety of landscapes and cultural points of interest.

Landscape and winter sports in the wider area

At 1,836 metres, Monte Volturino is the highest peak in the Volturino massif. Beech, chestnut, Turkey oak, maple and hornbeam trees shape the landscape on its slopes. The slopes are considered a habitat for otters, wolves, wildcats, hedgehogs, foxes, squirrels, wild boar and red kites.

The winter sports facilities at Monte Volturino include a main downhill run rated red by FISI, which is often used for winter competitions, a black run for experienced skiers and another run for beginners. The descriptions thus distinguish a competition run from slopes for experienced skiers and beginners. The summit, wooded slopes and ski runs show different sides of the massif.

Cultural heritage in the municipality of Marsicovetere

In the hamlet of Barricelle is the Villa Romana di Barricelle, a rural villa belonging to the Lucanian family Bruttii Praesentes. In the 2nd century AD, it was the residence of Empress Bruzia Crispina, wife of Emperor Commodus. The villa thus connects the history of the municipality with the Roman era and a named empress.

The Chiesa Madre dei Santi Pietro e Paolo in Marsicovetere is designed in the Neapolitan Baroque style and dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. It houses a wooden Madonna dating from the 14th century and 18th-century paintings created by followers of Caravaggio. Different artistic periods thus come together in the church. The Convento di Santa Maria di Costantinopoli offers a different architectural impression, with its regular square floor plan and central cloister.

The Chiesetta della Madonna della Neve dates from 1830. North of Marsicovetere, towards Calvello, the Cappella della Madonna del Saraceno stands on a rocky outcrop surrounded by holm oaks and beech trees. Its position on the rock and the surrounding tree species give this religious site a distinct connection to the landscape.

The palazzi in Marsicovetere also vary in age and detail. Palazzo Piccininni dates from the 17th to 18th centuries and was once a residence of the Caracciolo family. Palazzo Tranchitella on Corso Garibaldi dates from the 17th century and preserves a painting on stone. In the historic centre, Palazzo Ziella on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II and Palazzo Pascale on Via Roma each have a portal made of local stone by stonemasons from Marsicovetere. The buildings thus reflect both their former use as residences and the use of stone and the design of their portals.

Nature, protection and local cuisine

Marsicovetere lies within the protected area of the Appennino Lucano National Park. Civita di Marsicovetere was protected on 1 April 2021 because of its ecological, cultural and landscape features. Nature and cultural landscapes are therefore both among the municipality’s defining characteristics.

In Marsicovetere, dishes made with Scorzone and white truffles are prepared and served with Terre dell’alta Val D’Agri DOC and other wines from Lucania. A ham festival has been held there in August for many years. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the specific event dates.

Discover more destinations: San Martino D'agri, Laurenzana, Rionero In Vulture, Sant'Alfonso, Barile, Rapone, Francavilla In Sinni, Albano di Lucania

For the main travel overview: Potenza.