View source for Basilicata

{{short description|Region of Italy}}
{{For|the electoral constituency|Basilicata (Chamber of Deputies constituency)}}
{{use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| official_name      = Basilicata
| native_name        = 
| native_name_lang   = it
| other_name         = Lucania
| settlement_type    = [[Regions of Italy|Region]]
| image_skyline      = 
| image_alt          = 
| image_caption      = 
| image_flag         = Flag of Basilicata.svg
| flag_alt           = 
| flag_size          = 
| image_shield       = Regione-Basilicata-Stemma.svg
| shield_size        = 50px
| shield_alt         = 
| image_blank_emblem = 
| blank_emblem_size  = 
| blank_emblem_type  = 
| blank_emblem_alt   = 
| nickname           = 
| motto              = 
| anthem             = 
| image_map          = Basilicata in Italy.svg
| mapsize            = 
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption        = 
| pushpin_map        = 
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_alt    = 
| pushpin_mapsize    = 
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|40.5|N|16|E|display=inline, title}}
| coor_pinpoint      = 
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Italy}}
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
| founder            = 
| named_for          = 
| seat_type          = Capital
| seat               = [[Potenza]]
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_party       = [[Forza Italia (2013)|FI]]
| leader_title       = President
| leader_name        = [[Vito Bardi]]
| leader_title1      = Vice President
| leader_name1       = [[Pasquale Pepe]]
| total_type         = 
| unit_pref          = 
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="area">{{cite web|url=https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224|title=Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011|language=it|publisher=[[Italian National Institute of Statistics|ISTAT]]}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 10073.32
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_max_m    = 
| elevation_min_m    = 
| population_footnotes = <ref name="population">{{cite web|title=Resident population|url=https://demo.istat.it/app/?i=POS&l=en|publisher=[[Italian National Institute of Statistics|ISTAT]]}}</ref>
| population_total   = 529897
| population_as_of   = 2025
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym = {{langx|en|Lucanian}}<br />{{langx|it|lucano}} ({{abbr|m.|masculine}} sing.), {{lang|it|lucani}} (m. pl.), {{lang|it|lucana}} ({{abbr|f.|feminine}} sing.), {{lang|it|lucane}} (f. pl.); {{lang|it|basilicatese}} (sing.), {{lang|it|basilicatesi}} (pl.)
| population_note    = 
| population_blank1_title = 
| population_blank1  = 
| demographics_type1 = 
| demographics1_footnotes = 
| demographics1_title1 = 
| demographics1_info1 = 
| demographics1_title2 = 
| demographics1_info2 = 
| demographics1_title3 = 
| demographics1_info3 = 
| demographics_type2 = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{citation|title=Population on 1 January by age, sex and NUTS 2 region|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/DEMO_R_D2JAN/default/table?lang=en|website=www.ec.europa.eu}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = Total
| demographics2_info1 = €13.022 billion (2021)
| timezone1          = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset1        = +1
| timezone1_DST      = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset1_DST    = +2
| postal_code_type   = 
| postal_code        = 
| area_code_type     = [[ISO 3166 code]]
| area_code          = IT-77
| blank2_name_sec1   = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2021)
| blank2_info_sec1   = 0.865<ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{Cite web|url=https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/|title=Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|language=en|access-date=2023-03-05}}</ref><br/>{{color|green|very high}} · [[List of Italian regions by Human Development Index|17th of 21]]
| blank_name_sec2    = [[First-level NUTS of the European Union#Italy|NUTS Region]]
| blank_info_sec2    = ITF
| website            = {{URL|https://www.regione.basilicata.it/}}
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Basilicata''' ({{IPAc-en|UK|b|ə|ˌ|s|ɪ|l|ɪ|ˈ|k|ɑː|t|ə}} {{respell|bə|SIL|ih|KAH|tə}},<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |url= http://www.lexico.com/definition/Basilicata |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200322182312/https://www.lexico.com/definition/basilicata |url-status=dead |archive-date= 2020-03-22 |title= Basilicata |dictionary= [[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref> {{IPAc-en|US|-|ˌ|z|ɪ|l|-}} {{respell|-|ZIL|-}},<ref>{{Cite American Heritage Dictionary|Basilicata|access-date=6 May 2019}}</ref> {{IPA|it|baziliˈkaːta|lang}}), also known by [[Lucania|its ancient name]] '''Lucania''' ({{IPAc-en|l|uː|ˈ|k|eɪ|n|i|ə}} {{respell|loo|KAY|nee|ə}}, {{IPAc-en|USalso|l|uː|ˈ|k|ɑː|n|j|ə}} {{respell|loo|KAHN|yə}},<ref name="MerWeb">{{Cite Merriam-Webster|Basilicata|access-date= 6 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/lucania|title=Lucania|work=[[Collins English Dictionary]]|publisher= [[HarperCollins]]|access-date=6 May 2019}}</ref> {{IPA|it|luˈkaːnja|lang}}), is an administrative [[Regions of Italy| region]] in [[Southern Italy]], bordering on [[Campania]] to the west, [[Apulia]] to the north and east, and [[Calabria]] to the south. It has two coastlines: a 30-kilometre stretch on the [[Gulf of Policastro]] ([[Tyrrhenian Sea]]) between Campania and Calabria, and a longer coastline along the [[Gulf of Taranto]] ([[Ionian Sea]]) between Calabria and Apulia. The region can be thought of as "the arch" of "the boot" of Italy, with Calabria functioning as "the toe" and Apulia "the heel".

The region has a population of 529,897 in an area of {{convert|10073.32|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="population" /><ref name="area" /> The regional capital is [[Potenza]]. The region comprises two provinces:[[Province of Potenza| Potenza]] and[[Province of Matera| Matera]].<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.treccani.it//enciclopedia/basilicata|title= Basilicata nell'Enciclopedia Treccani|website=www.treccani.it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.treccani.it//vocabolario/lucano |title= lucano in Vocabolario – Treccani|website=www.treccani.it}}</ref> Its inhabitants are generally known as Lucanians ({{langx|it|lucani}}), and to a lesser extent as {{lang|it|basilicatesi}} or by other very rare terms.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://accademiadellacrusca.it/it/consulenza/ci-sono-solo-lucani-in-basilicata/1415|title=Ci sono solo lucani in Basilicata?|website= Accademia della Crusca|language= it|access-date= 2021-10-29}}</ref>

In ancient times, part of its territory belonged to [[Magna Graecia]], subject to coastal [[Greek colonisation|Greek colonies]] (including [[Sybaris]]). Later the region was conquered by the [[ancient Romans]]. It was then conquered by the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantines]], and then by the [[Normans]] around the year 1000 with the [[Hauteville family]]. Their presence explains the persistence of the [[Gallo-Italic of Basilicata| Gallo-Italic linguistic enclaves of Basilicata]]. The area was later dominated by the [[Kingdom of Aragon| Aragonese]] and by the [[Spanish Empire|Spanish]]. Subsequently, it became part of the [[Kingdom of the Two Sicilies]], before annexation to the unified [[Kingdom of Italy]] (proclaimed in 1861) after the 1860 [[Expedition of the Thousand]].

==Etymology==
The name probably derives from ''[[Basileus|basilikos]]'' ({{langx|el|βασιλικός}}), which refers to the ''[[basileus]]'', the [[List of Byzantine emperors|Byzantine emperor]]s, who [[Catepanate of Italy|ruled the region]] for 200 years, from 536/552 to 571/590 and from 879 to 1059.<ref>{{Cite book|title=La Basilicata dalla caduta dell'impero romano agli Angioini
|author=Tommaso Pedìo|year=1997|page=21}}</ref> Others argue that the name may refer to the Basilica of [[Acerenza]], which held judicial power in the [[Middle Ages]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Basilicata - Calabria 
|author=Touring Club Italiano|year=1980|page=46}}</ref>

During the ancient [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] and [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] eras, Basilicata was known as [[Lucania]]. This was possibly derived from ''leukos'' (Greek: λευκός), meaning "white", from ''lykos'' (Greek: λύκος), meaning "[[wolf]]", or from Latin ''lūcus'', meaning "[[Sacred grove|sacred wood]]".<ref>{{Cite book|title=Inchiesta Zanardelli sulla Basilicata 
|author=Paola Corti|year=1976|page=86}}</ref> More probably, the name Lucania derived, like the forename (''[[praenomen]]'') [[Lucius]], from the [[Latin]] word ''Lux'' (gen. ''lucis''), meaning "[[light]]" (from [[Proto-Indo-European language|PIE]] ''*leuk-'', "brightness", also the root of the Latin verb ''lucere'', "to shine"), which is a [[cognate]] of the name [[Lucas (given name)|Lucas]]. Another proposed etymology is a derivation from the [[Etruscan language|Etruscan]] word ''Lauchum'' (or ''Lauchme''), meaning "[[king]]", which passed into Latin as ''Lucumo''.<ref>[[Giuliano Bonfante|Bonfante G.]], [[Larissa Bonfante|Bonfante L.]], ''The Etruscan Language: An Introduction'', 1983, p. 59.</ref>

==Geography==
{{Unsourced section|date=February 2025}}
[[File:Dolomiti lucane e Pietrapertosa.jpg|thumb|left|[[Dolomiti lucane]] and [[Pietrapertosa]]]]
Basilicata covers an extensive part of the southern [[Apennine Mountains]], between the [[Ofanto]] river in the north and the [[Pollino]] massif in the south. It is bordered on the east by a large part of the [[Bradano]] river depression, which is traversed by numerous streams and declines to the southeastern coastal plains on the [[Ionian Sea]]. The region also has a short coastline to the southwest on the [[Tyrrhenian Sea]] side of the peninsula.

Basilicata is the most mountainous region in the south of [[Italy]], with 47% of its area of {{convert|9,992|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} covered by mountains. Of the remaining area, 45% is hilly, and 8% is made up of plains. Notable mountains and ranges include the [[Pollino]] massif, the [[Dolomiti lucane]], [[Monte Vulture]], [[Monte Alpi]], [[Monte Carmine]], [[Monti Li Foj]] and [[Toppa Pizzuta]].
[[File:Calanchi1.jpg|thumb|[[Badlands]] in [[Aliano]]]]
Geological features of the region include the volcanic formations of [[Monte Vulture]], and the seismic faults in the [[Melfi]] and [[Potenza]] areas in the north, and around Pollino in the south. Much of the region was devastated in the [[1857 Basilicata earthquake]]. More recently, the [[1980 Irpinia earthquake]] destroyed many towns in the northwest of the region.

The mountainous terrain combined with weak rock and soil types makes [[landslide]]s prevalent. The lithological structure of the substratum and its chaotic tectonic deformation predispose the slope to landslides, and this problem is compounded by the lack of forested land. In common with many another Mediterranean region, Basilicata was once rich in forests, but they were largely felled and made barren during the time of Roman rule.

The variable climate is influenced by three coastlines ([[Adriatic Sea|Adriatic]], Ionian and Tyrrhenian) and the complexity of the region's physical features. In general, the climate is [[Continental climate|continental]] in the mountains and [[Mediterranean climate|Mediterranean]] along the coasts.

==History==
{{more citations needed|section|date=September 2022}}

===Prehistory===
The first traces of human presence in Basilicata date to the late [[Paleolithic]], with findings of ''[[Homo erectus]]''. Late [[Cenozoic]] fossils, found at [[Venosa]] and other locations, include elephants, rhinoceros and species now extinct such as a [[saber-toothed cat]] of the [[genus]] ''[[Machairodus]]''. Examples of [[rock art]] from the [[Mesolithic]] have been discovered near [[Filiano]]. From the fifth millennium, people stopped living in caves and built settlements of huts up to the rivers leading to the interior ([[Tolve]], [[Tricarico]], [[Aliano]], [[Melfi]], [[Metaponto]]). In this period, [[Homo sapiens#Anatomical modernity|anatomically modern humans]] lived by cultivating cereals and animal husbandry ([[Bovinae]] and [[Caprinae]]). [[Chalcolithic]] sites include the grottoes of [[Latronico]] and the funerary findings of the Cervaro grotto near [[Lagonegro]].

The first known stable market center of the [[Apennine culture]] on the sea, consisting of huts on the promontory of {{ill|Capo la Timpa|it|Area archeologica di Capo la Timpa|vertical-align=sup}}, near to [[Maratea]], dates to the [[Bronze Age]]. The first indigenous [[Iron Age]] communities lived in large villages in plateaus located at the borders of the plains and the rivers, in places fitting their breeding and agricultural activities. Such settlements include that of [[Tursi]], known at the time as Anglona, located between the fertile valleys of [[Agri (river)|Agri]] and [[Sinni (river)|Sinni]], of [[Siris (Magna Graecia)|Siris]] and, on the coast of the [[Ionian Sea]], of Incoronata-San Teodoro. The first presence of Greek colonists, coming from [[list of islands of Greece|the Greek islands]] and [[Anatolia]], date from the late eighth century BC.

There are virtually no traces of survival of the 11th–8th century BC archaeological sites of the settlements (aside from a necropolis at [[Castelluccio culture|Castelluccio]] on the coast of the [[Tyrrhenian Sea]]): this was perhaps caused by the increasing presence of Greek colonies, which changed the balance of the trades.

===Ancient history===
[[File:Lucania da The Historical Atlas, by William R. Shepherd, 1911.png|thumb|left|The ancient region of [[Lucania]]]]
In ancient historical times, the region was originally known as [[Lucania]], named for the [[Lucanians|Lucani]], an [[Oscan language|Oscan-speaking]] population from [[central Italy]].

Starting from the late eighth century BC, the Greeks established a settlement first at [[Siris (Magna Graecia)|Siris]], founded by fugitives from [[Colophon (city)|Colophon]]. Then with the foundation of [[Metaponto]] from [[Achaeans (Homer)|Achaean]] colonists, they started the conquest of the whole Ionian coast. There were also indigenous [[Oenotrians|Oenotrian]] foundations on the coast, which exploited the nearby presence of Greek settlements, such as [[Velia]] and [[Policastro Bussentino|Pyxous]], for their maritime trades. The region became one of the centers of [[Magna Graecia]], with the foundation along its coasts of many Greek city-states ([[Polis|póleis]]).

The first contacts between the Lucanians and the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] date from the latter half of the fourth century BC. After the conquest of [[Taranto]] in 272, Roman rule was extended to the whole region: the [[Appian Way]] reached [[Brindisi]] and the colonies of Potentia (modern [[Potenza]]) and [[Grumentum]] were founded.

===Middle Ages===
[[File:Robert Guiscard claimed as a Duke.jpg|thumb|[[Pope Nicholas II]] investing [[Robert Guiscard]] as duke in [[Melfi]]]]
After the fall of the [[Western Roman Empire]] in 476, Basilicata fell to Germanic rule, which ended in the mid-6th century when the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantines]] [[Gothic War (535–554)|reconquered it]] from the [[Ostrogoths]] between 536 and 552 during the apocalyptic Byzantine-Gothic war under the leadership of Byzantine generals Belisarius and Narses. The region, deeply Christianized since as early as the 5th century, became part of the [[Lombards|Lombard]] [[Duchy of Benevento]] founded by the invading Lombards between 571 and 590.

In the following centuries, [[Saracen]] raids led part of the population to move from the plain and coastal settlements to more protected centers located on hills. The towns of [[Tricarico]] and [[Tursi]] were under Muslim rule for a short period: later the "Saracen" population would be expelled.<ref>{{cite book|publisher=Società napoletana di storia patria|title=Archivio storico per le province napoletane|url=https://archive.org/details/archiviostoricop25rdepuoft|year=1876}}</ref> The region was conquered once more for Byzantium from the Saracens and the Lombards in the late 9th century, with the campaigns of [[Nikephoros Phokas the Elder]] and his successors, and became part of the theme of [[Longobardia]]. In 968 the ''[[theme (Byzantine district)|theme]]'' of [[Lucania]] was established, with the capital at Tursikon (Tursi).

In the 11th century, Basilicata, together with the rest of much of [[southern Italy]], was conquered by the [[Normans]]. [[Melfi]] became the first capital of the County of Apulia (later [[County of Apulia and Calabria]]) in 1043, where [[Robert Guiscard]] was named "Duke" by [[Pope Nicholas II]]. Inherited by the [[Hohenstaufen]], [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick II]] reorganized the administrative structure of his predecessors and the [[Justiciarate|Justiciarate of Basilicata]], whose borders coincided almost entirely with the actual region, was created. In Melfi, the Emperor promulgated the ''Liber Augustalis'' (commonly known as ''[[Constitutions of Melfi]]''), code of laws for the [[Kingdom of Sicily]]. The [[Swabians]] were ousted in the 13th century by the [[Capetian House of Anjou]]. Since then, Basilicata began to lose importance and was marked by an irreversible socio-political decline.

===Modern and contemporary times===
[[File:Banda Totaro.jpg|thumb|left|Band of brigands from Basilicata, {{circa|1860}}]]
In 1485, Basilicata was the seat of plotters against King [[Ferdinand I of Naples]], the so-called ''[[conspiracy of the Barons]]'', which included the [[House of Sanseverino|Sanseverino]] of Tricarico, the [[House of Caracciolo|Caracciolo]] of [[Melfi]], the Gesualdo of [[Caggiano]], the {{ill|Orsini Del Balzo|it|vertical-align=sup}} of [[Altamura]] and [[Venosa]] and other anti-Aragonese families. Later, [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]] stripped most of the barons of their lands, replacing them with the [[House of Carafa|Carafa]], Revertera, [[House of Pignatelli|Pignatelli]] and [[Colonna family|Colonna]] among others. After the formation of the [[Neapolitan Republic (1647)]], Basilicata also rebelled, but the revolt was suppressed. In 1663 a new province was created in Basilicata with its capital in [[Matera]].

The region came under the dominion of the [[House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies|House of Bourbon]] in 1735. Basilicata autonomously declared its annexation to the [[Kingdom of Italy]] on August 18, 1860, with the Potenza insurrection. It was during this period that the state confiscated and sold off vast tracts of Basilicata's territory formerly owned by the [[Catholic Church]]. As the new owners were a handful of wealthy aristocratic families, the average citizen did not see any immediate economic and social improvements after unification, and poverty continued unabated.

This gave rise to the phenomenon of [[Brigandage in Southern Italy after 1861|brigandage]], which actually turned into a civil war in the form of a guerrilla fighting, whereby the Bourbon in exile and the Church encouraged the peasants to rise up against the [[Kingdom of Italy]]. This strong opposition movement continued for many years. The revolt in Basilicata was led by [[Carmine Crocco]], who was the most important chief in the region and the most impressive band leader in southern Italy.<ref>Eric Hobsbawm, ''Bandits'', Penguin, 1985, p. 25.</ref>

It was only really after [[World War II]] that things slowly began to improve thanks to land reform. In 1952, the inhabitants of the [[Sassi di Matera]] were rehoused by the state, but many of Basilicata's population had emigrated or were in the process of emigrating, which led to a demographic crisis from which it is still recovering.

==Government==
{{Main|Politics of Basilicata}}

The regional government operates within a framework of a [[Presidential system|presidential]] [[representative democracy]], whereby the president is the [[head of government]], and of a pluriform [[multi-party system]]. [[Executive power]] is exercised by the government. [[Legislative power]] is vested in both the government and the regional council.

=== Administrative divisions ===
[[File:Map of region of Basilicata, Italy, with provinces-it.svg|thumb|Map of the provinces of Basilicata]]
Basilicata is divided into two provinces:
{| class="wikitable centered"
|-
! style="background:#ccf;" |Province
! style="background:#ccf;" |Population
! style="background:#ccf;" |Area (km<sup>2</sup>)
! style="background:#ccf;" |Density
(inh./km<sup>2</sup>)
! style="background:#ccf;" |Capital
! style="background:#ccf;" |Municipalities
|-
|[[Province of Matera]]
|189,098
|3,478.89
|54.4
|[[Matera]]
|31
|-
|[[Province of Potenza]]
|340,799
|6,594.44
|51.7
|[[Potenza]]
|100
|}

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|1861|509060|1871|524033|1881|539258|1901|491558|1911|485911|1921|492132
|1931|513712|1936|543262|1951|627586|1961|644297|1971|603064|1981|610186|1991|610528|2001|597768|2011|578036|2021|541168|source=[[National Institute of Statistics (Italy)|ISTAT]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Popolazione residente dei comuni. Censimenti dal 1861 al 1991|trans-title=Resident population of the municipalities. Censuses from 1861 to 1991|url=https://ebiblio.istat.it/digibib/Censimenti%20popolazione/Censimentipopolazioneresidentedal1861/RML0050288Pop_res_cens_1861_1991.pdf|lang=it|publisher=[[National Institute of Statistics (Italy)|ISTAT]]}}</ref><ref name="timeseries">{{cite web |title=Resident population - Time series|url=https://esploradati.istat.it/databrowser/#/en/censpop/dashboards|publisher=[[National Institute of Statistics (Italy)|ISTAT]]}}</ref>|cols=1|align=right}}

As of 2025, Basilicata has a population of 529,897, of whom 49.6% are male and 50.4% are female. Minors make up 13.6% of the population, and seniors make up 25.9%, compared to the Italian average of 14.9% and 24.7% respectively.<ref name="population" />

Although Basilicata has never had a large population, there have nevertheless been quite considerable fluctuations in the demographic pattern of the region. In 1881, there were 539,258 inhabitants but by 1911 the population had decreased by 11% to 485,911, mainly as a result of emigration overseas. There was a slow increase in the population until World War II, after which there was a resurgence of emigration to other countries in Europe, which continued until 1971 and the start of another period of steady increase until the 1980s at 610,000 inhabitants. Since the 1990s the population has been declining again, as a result of low birth rates and high emigration, especially towards northern Italy, the UK, Germany and Switzerland.<ref>{{cite web |title=Migrazioni interne e internazionali della popolazione residente. Anni 2022-2023 |url=https://www.istat.it/it/files/2024/05/Migrazioni-interne-e-internazionali-della-popolazione-residente.pdf |publisher=[[Istat]] |access-date=27 February 2025}}</ref>

The population density is very low compared to that of Italy as a whole: With 52.6 inhabitants per km<sup>2</sup> compared to the nationwide density of 195.1, it is the 2nd-least densely populated region of Italy after the [[Aosta Valley]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Brinkhoff |first=Thomas |title=Italy: Administrative Division (Regions and Provinces) - Population Statistics, Charts and Map |url=https://citypopulation.de/en/italy/admin/ |website=City Population}}</ref>

Religion, particularly Roman Catholicism still maintains a solid role in the culture and everyday lives of people in Basilicata. Italian National Statistical Institute (ISTAT) in 2018 found that 24.9% of the population went weekly to church, synagogue, mosque, temple or other place of worship, with the share of practicing believers higher in Basilicata (27.9%){{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

=== Foreign population ===
As of 2024, the foreign-born population is 35,637, equal to 6.7% of the population. The 5 largest foreign nationalities are [[Romanians]] (6,618), [[Swiss people|Swiss]] (3,110), [[Albanians]] (3,083), [[Germans]] (2,802) and [[Moroccans]] (1,859).<ref name="foreignborn">{{cite web |title=Resident population by sex, municipality and citizenship |url=https://demo.istat.it/app/?i=RCS&a=2024&l=en |publisher=[[Italian National Institute of Statistics|ISTAT]]}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable floatright"
|+Foreign population by country of birth (2024)<ref name="foreignborn" />
!Country of birth
!Population
|-
|{{flag|Romania}}
|6,618
|-
|{{flag|Switzerland}}
|3,110
|-
|{{flag|Albania}}
|3,083
|-
|{{flag|Germany}}
|2,802
|-
|{{flag|Morocco}}
|1,859
|-
|{{flag|Argentina}}
|1,371
|-
|{{flag|Ukraine}}
|1,286
|-
|{{flag|Bangladesh}}
|1,204
|-
|{{flag|Nigeria}}
|886
|-
|{{flag|India}}
|880
|-
|{{flag|China}}
|821
|-
|{{flag|Pakistan}}
|737
|-
|{{flag|Tunisia}}
|706
|-
|{{flag|Venezuela}}
|696
|-
|{{flag|Brazil}}
|658
|}

==Economy==
[[File:Sata Melfi.jpg|thumb|left|[[Fiat Automobiles|FIAT]] plant in [[Melfi]]]]
Cultivation consists mainly of sowables (especially wheat), which represent 46% of the total land. Potatoes and maize are produced in the mountain areas. Olives and wine production is relatively small with about {{Convert|31,000|ha}} under cultivation.<ref>[http://www.fao.org/tempref/docrep/fao/009/A0007E/A0007e01.pdf FAO.org: Olive production]: ''Olive Production: Extension, Consumption, and Exportation'' (pp.14)- Retrieved 2018-07-03</ref> The terrain is mountainous and hilly with poor transportation routes that hinders harvesting. Most oils are sold unbranded and only 3% is exported. The main olive cultivars are Ogliarola del Vulture, Ogliarola del Bradano, Majatica di Ferrandina and Farasana with only Ogliarola del Vulture having the [[Protected Designation of Origin]] (PDO).<ref>[https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/olive-oil-basics/basilicata-wild-olive-southern-italy/42742 Olive oil Times: Basilicata]- Retrieved 2018-07-03</ref> Other varieties are the Arnasca, Ascolana, Augellina, Cellina, [[Frantoio]], [[Leccino]], Majatica, Nostrale, Ogliarola (Ogliarola Barese), [[Palmarola]] or Fasolina, Rapolese di Lavello, and Sargano (Sargano di Fermo and Sargano di San Benedetto).<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20151102230120/http://oliveoilsindia.com/Italian-Olives.htm Italian olives]}}- Retrieved 2018=07-03</ref>

Among industrial activities, the manufacturing sector contributes to the gross value added of the secondary sector with 64% of the total, while the building sector contributes 24%. Within the services sector, the main activities in terms of gross value added are business activities, distributive trade, education and public administration. In the last few years, new productive sectors have developed: manufacturing, automotive, and especially [[Extraction of petroleum|oil extraction]]. In 2009, [[Eni]] employed 230 people in this area (of whom over 50% were from Basilicata), and about 1,800 were employed in activities directly generated by Eni's operations, distributed in 80 companies of which over 50% were from Basilicata.<ref>[http://www.eni.com/en_IT/sustainability/communities/basilicata-model/basilicata-model.shtml] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120411115622/http://www.eni.com/en_IT/sustainability/communities/basilicata-model/basilicata-model.shtml|date=11 April 2012}}</ref> The region produced about {{convert|100000|oilbbl/d|abbr=on}}, meeting 11 percent of Italy's domestic oil demand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fossilfreeeib.org/fp_detail.php?fpID=17|title=Oil Exploration in Basilicata, Italy|publisher=Fossilfreeeib.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726062259/http://www.fossilfreeeib.org/fp_detail.php?fpID=17|archive-date=July 26, 2011|url-status = dead}}</ref>

FIAT plant in [[Melfi]] has 7,200 employees and manufactured 229,848 [[Jeep Renegade]], [[Jeep Compass]] and [[Fiat 500X]] in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.startmag.it/smartcity/stellantis-cosa-succedera-agli-stabilimenti-fca-di-torino-pomigliano-e-melfi/|title=Stellantis production statistics 2020| date=11 January 2021 |language=it}}</ref>

The [[gross domestic product]] (GDP) of the region was 12.6&nbsp;billion euros in 2018, accounting for 0.7% of Italy's economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was 22,200 euros or 74% of the EU27 average in the same year. The GDP per employee was 95% of the EU average.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/10474907/1-05032020-AP-EN.pdf/81807e19-e4c8-2e53-c98a-933f5bf30f58|title=Regional GDP per capita ranged from 30% to 263% of the EU average in 2018|website=Eurostat}}</ref>

The unemployment rate stood at 8.6% in 2020, the lowest rate in [[South Italy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=lfst_r_lfu3rt&lang=en|title=Unemployment NUTS 2 regions Eurostat|language=en}}</ref>

===Transport===
The region doesn't have its own airport. However, other airports such as  [[Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport|Bari Airport]], [[Lamezia Terme International Airport]], and [[Naples International Airport]] are also used by air travellers from the region.

==Tourism==
Difficult accessibility and lack of extended promotion make Basilicata one of the most remote and least visited regions of Italy. However, tourism is slowly growing since the early 2000s. [[Matera]], once dubbed "national disgrace" by prime minister [[Alcide De Gasperi]] who urged to take strict development measures due to its extreme poverty,<ref>{{cite web|title=The miracle of Matera: from city of poverty and squalor to hip hub for cave-dwellers|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/17/matera-italy-culture-capital-cave-homes-from-squalor-to-airbnb-film-sets|website=theguardian.com|date=18 June 2017|access-date=19 November 2020}}</ref> is now Basilicata's main attraction and has gained fame worldwide for its historical center, the [[Sassi di Matera|Sassi]], designated in 1993 as a [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/670|title=The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera|last=Centre|first=UNESCO World Heritage|website=whc.unesco.org|language=en|access-date=2018-06-04}}</ref> In 2019, Matera was designated as the [[European Capital of Culture]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Plovdiv and Matera: European Capitals of Culture in 2019|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20181205STO20960/plovdiv-and-matera-european-capitals-of-culture-in-2019|website=europarl.europa.eu|date=7 January 2019|access-date=20 November 2020}}</ref>

Seaside tourism is mainly concentrated in [[Maratea]], nicknamed "The Pearl of Tyrrhenian Sea",<ref>{{cite web|title=Maratea, the Pearl of Tyrrhenian Sea|url=https://www.italiaslowtour.com/maratea-pearl-tyrrhenian-sea/|website=italiaslowtour.com|date=18 June 2017|access-date=19 November 2020}}</ref> but also the [[Ionian Sea|Ionian]] coast ([[Policoro]], [[Pisticci]], [[Bernalda]], [[Nova Siri]]) is fairly developed. Naturalistic attractions include [[Pollino]], that hosts the [[Pollino National Park|largest national park]] in Italy,<ref>{{cite web|title=Visit Italy's largest park - Parco del Pollino|url=https://www.italymagazine.com/italy/calabria/visit-italys-largest-park-parco-del-pollino|website=italymagazine.com|date=23 July 2009|access-date=19 November 2020}}</ref> [[Dolomiti lucane]] and [[Monte Vulture|Vulture]]. ''[[The New York Times]]'' ranked Basilicata third in its list of "52 Places to Go in 2018", describing it as "Italy's best-kept secret".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/travel/places-to-visit.html|title=52 Places to Go in 2018|newspaper=The New York Times|date=2018-01-10|access-date=21 January 2018}}</ref>
{{Gallery
|width=200 | height=130 
|align=center
|File:Sassi di Matera 2016 19.jpg|{{center|[[Sassi di Matera]]}}
|File:Cersuta.jpg|{{center|[[Maratea]]}}
|File:Monte Pollino (P.N.P.).jpg|{{center|[[Pollino]]}}
}}

===Archeological sites===
[[File:Tavole-palatine - Hera temple.jpg|thumb|[[Tavole Palatine]], [[Metaponto]]]]
Basilicata has a variety of archeological sites containing traces of Prehistoric, Greek, Roman and Jewish heritage:
*Civita, [[Tricarico]]
*[[Grumentum]]
*[[Heraclea Lucania|Heraclea]]
*[[Metapontum]]
*[[Jewish catacombs of Venosa]]
*Notarchirico
*Petre de la Mola
*Serra di [[Vaglio Basilicata|Vaglio]]
*[[Venusia]]

===Religious buildings===
[[File:Abbazia della Santissima Trinità ( Venosa).jpg|thumb|[[Abbey of Santissima Trinità, Venosa|Abbey of Santissima Trinità]]]]
[[File:Cattedrale dal drone.jpg|thumb|[[Acerenza Cathedral]]]]
Basilicata hosts a series of religious structures. The [[abbey of Santissima Trinità, Venosa|Abbey of Santissima Trinità]], Venosa, is one of the most representative, which includes marks of Roman, early Christian, Romanesque, Lombard and Norman origin. It was chosen by Robert Guiscard as the [[Hauteville family]]'s burial (and he himself will be later buried there too).<ref>{{cite web|title=The Most Holy Trinity Complex in Venosa|url=https://www.portacoeli.it/venosa/en/the-context/the-most-holy-trinity-complex-in-venosa|website=portacoeli.it|access-date=17 November 2020}}</ref> Other relevant religious buildings are:
*[[Acerenza Cathedral]]
*[[Irsina Cathedral]]
*[[Matera Cathedral]]
*Melfi Cathedral
*Pierno Abbey, [[San Fele]]
*[[Potenza Cathedral]]
*[[Rapolla Cathedral]]
*[[San Michele Abbey, Monticchio|San Michele Abbey]], [[Monticchio]]
*[[San Pietro Caveoso|San Pietro Caveoso Church]], Matera
*Sanctuary of Anglona, [[Tursi]]
*[[Tricarico Cathedral]]
*[[Venosa Cathedral]]

===Castles===
[[File:Castello di melfi1.JPG|thumb|[[Melfi castle]]]]
Of many castles that existed in the region, mostly isolated towers and ruins have survived. The [[Melfi castle]] is perhaps the most iconic, where important events from the Middle Age took place, such as the five councils between the Normans and the Catholic Church and the [[constitutions of Melfi]] promulgated by Frederick II. The Malconsiglio castle, [[Miglionico]], hosted the [[conspiracy of the Barons]] against [[Ferrante of Aragon]].
Among the other best preserved castles of the region are:
*[[Bernalda]] castle
*[[Lagopesole]] castle
*[[Laurenzana Castle]]
*[[Castle of Muro Lucano|Muro Lucano castle]]
*[[Castello Tramontano|Tramontano Castle]]
*Venosa castle

===Other sights===
[[File:Castelmezzano - Province of Potenza, Italy - 3 July 2010.jpg|thumb|[[Castelmezzano]]]]
[[File:Uno sguardo su Craco Vecchia.jpg|thumb|[[Craco]]]]
Basilicata has many small and picturesque villages, nine of them have been selected by {{lang|it|[[I Borghi più belli d'Italia]]}} ({{langx|en|The most beautiful Villages of Italy}}),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://borghipiubelliditalia.it/basilicata/|title=Basilicata|date=10 January 2017 |access-date=1 August 2023|language=it}}</ref> a non-profit private association of small Italian towns of strong historical and artistic interest,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/viaggi/2023/01/16/news/borghi_piu_belli_italia_14_nuovi_2023-383794441/|title=Borghi più belli d'Italia. Le 14 novità 2023, dal Trentino alla Calabria|date=16 January 2023 |access-date=28 July 2023|language=it}}</ref> that was founded on the initiative of the Tourism Council of the National Association of Italian Municipalities.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://borghipiubelliditalia.it/ |title = I Borghi più belli d'Italia, la guida online ai piccoli centri dell'Italia nascosta|access-date=3 May 2018|language=it}}</ref> 

However, they have to face depopulation problems, while others such as [[Craco]] and [[Campomaggiore]] saw their old sites abandoned due to natural disasters. Nonetheless, filmmakers, writers and musicians have contributed to give a boost to the rebirth of Craco, making it one of the most popular [[ghost town]]s in the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=You're Guaranteed to Get Goosebumps While Visiting the World's 20 Eeriest Ghost Towns|url=https://www.fodors.com/news/photos/youre-guaranteed-to-get-goosebumps-while-visiting-the-worlds-20-eeriest-ghost-towns|website=fodors.com| date=3 October 2018 |access-date=26 March 2021}}</ref>

Other historical and distinctive villages are:
*[[Accettura]]
*[[Acerenza]]
*[[Aliano]]	
*[[Castelmezzano]]	
*[[Guardia Perticara]]	
*[[Pietrapertosa]]
*[[Rivello]]
*[[Rotondella]]
*[[Satriano di Lucania]]
*[[Valsinni]]	
*[[Viggianello, Basilicata|Viggianello]]

==Culture==
===Art===
[[File:Pittore di pisticci, pelike con due donne, 440-430 ac ca.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Lucanian red-figure [[pelike]] by the Pisticci Painter, {{circa|430 BC}}, Archaeological Museum "Domenico Ridola", Matera]]
[[Cave painting]]s were found in the Tuppo dei Sassi site (or Ranaldi shelter, after its discoverer Francesco Ranaldi, archaeologist and museum director), a prehistoric site in the [[Filiano]] territory, considered the oldest artistic trace in Basilicata. During the [[Greek colonisation]] era, artists like the [[Pisticci Painter]] and the [[Amykos Painter]] operated in the area of [[Metaponto]] around the 5th century BC. Metaponto is one of the largest and earliest Greek centres of vase painting in Italy;<ref>{{cite web|title=Lucanian red - figure nestoris|url=https://www.mfab.hu/artworks/lucanian-red-figure-nestoris/|website=mfab.hu|date=|accessdate=16 November 2020}}</ref> the [[Lucanian vase painting]] began around 430 BC, with the works of the Pisticci Painter. In the [[Armento]] area the [[Kritonios Crown]] and the [[Armento Rider]] were found, now exposed in [[Munich]] and [[London]] respectively.
[[File:達文西自畫像.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Lucan portrait of Leonardo da Vinci]], Museo delle Antiche Genti di Lucania, [[Vaglio Basilicata|Vaglio]]]]
The [[Jewish catacombs of Venosa]] are cited among the most significant signs of the Jewish presence in southern Italy.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jewish Catacombs of Venosa|url=https://www.visitjewishitaly.it/en/listing/catacombe-ebraiche-di-venosa/|website=visitjewishitaly.it|date=|accessdate=23 February 2021}}</ref> Around the 7th century, [[basilian monk]]s settled in Basilicata, leaving a high concentration of [[rupestrian art|rupestrian churches]] (155 ascertained today), in Matera, Pollino and the [[Agri (river)|Agri]] and [[Sinni (river)|Sinni]] Valleys.<ref>{{cite web|title=An Artistic Profile|url=https://www.aptbasilicata.it/Profilo-artistico.48+M52087573ab0.0.html?&bowhzyumzmqsntfr|website=aptbasilicata.it|date=|accessdate=23 February 2021}}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Frescoes from the [[Angevin Empire|Angevin period]] can be found in the [[Abbey of the Santissima Trinità (Venosa)|Abbey of the Santissima Trinità]] of Venosa, the Rupestrian churches of S. Mary of the Valley in Matera, S. Antuono in [[Oppido Lucano]], S. Lucia in [[Rapolla]] and S. Margherita in [[Melfi]].

The stone Nativity scene by [[Altobello Persio]] (1534) in the [[Matera Cathedral]] is an early example of [[Renaissance art]] in the region. Later Basilicata saw the imported and imitated art phenomenon with artists such as [[Giovanni Bellini]] and [[Cima da Conegliano]], and [[Flemish painting]] by [[Dirck Hendricksz]], [[Guglielmo Borremans]], [[Aert Mijtens]] among the others. Local painters such as [[Pietrafesa (painter)|Giovanni De Gregorio]], [[Andrea Miglionico]] and [[Carlo Sellitto]] had a Neapolitan school background. An [[Lucan portrait of Leonardo da Vinci|alleged portrait of Leonardo da Vinci]], dating back to the 1500s, was discovered in 2008, today exhibited in the Museo delle Antiche genti di Lucania, [[Vaglio Basilicata|Vaglio]].

Some artists from the 19th century include [[Vincenzo Marinelli]], [[Giacomo Di Chirico]] and [[Michele Tedesco]]. Several contemporary artists gained fame outside Italy, among them are worth to mention [[Marino Di Teana]], [[Eugenio Santoro]], [[Beniamino Bufano]] and [[Joseph Stella]], sometimes cited as the first [[Futurism|futurist]] painter in America.<ref>{{cite web|title=Joseph Stella (1877-1946)
|url=https://www.sullivangoss.com/artists/joseph-stella-1877-1946|website=sullivangoss.com|date=|accessdate=16 November 2020}}</ref> During his exile under the [[fascist regime]], [[Carlo Levi]], a painting passionate, left many works, today exposed in Matera.

===Music===
{{Main article|Music of Basilicata}}
[[File:BOURCARD(1853) p1.192 - I VIGGIANESI.jpg|thumb|left|''I Viggianesi'', by [[Filippo Palizzi]], 1853]]
Although Basilicata hosted classical composers such as [[Carlo Gesualdo]] and [[Egidio Romualdo Duni]], the region is primarily identified in popular music, which reflects the humble living conditions of its inhabitants. The ''arpa viggianese'' (commonly known as ''arpicedda'') is a typical harp from [[Viggiano]] of average size, with a thin and light structure that makes it easier to carry; it was the distinctive instrument of [[street musician]]s from the [[Val d'Agri]] area in the past centuries, who wandered around the world and many of whom were admitted to [[symphony orchestra]]s. Today, Viggiano is remembered as the "City of Harp and Music".<ref>{{cite web|title=From local traditions to "augmented reality". The MUVIG museum of Viggiano (Italy)|url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/82776779.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190312101356/https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/82776779.pdf |archive-date=2019-03-12 |url-status=live|website=core.ac.uk|access-date=16 November 2020}}</ref> Other traditional instruments are [[cupa cupa]], [[zampogna]] and [[Piffero|ciaramella]].

During the emigration wave of the late 19th century, some composers gained recognition in [[North America]]: [[Leonardo De Lorenzo]], flautist of several American [[philharmonic orchestra]]s and professor at the [[Eastman School of Music]], regarded as one of the most eminent flute pedagogues of the 1900s; [[Carlo Curti]], who helped to popularize the mandolin in the United States and Mexico, and founder of the ''Orquestra Típica Mexicana'', considered the "predecessor of the [[Mariachi]] bands".<ref>{{cite thesis|last=Castillo|first=Manuel M.|date=2014|title=Italian and Spanish works of Mexican composers: Maria Grever, Ignacio Fernandez Esperon "Tata Nacho," and Agustin Lara|journal=Theses and Dissertations--Music |url=http://uknowledge.uky.edu/music_etds/32/ |type=DMA dissertation |publisher=The University of Kentucky |via=UKnowledge |page=20|access-date=September 8, 2015|quote=The Orquesta Típica is the predecessor of the Mariachi bands and is the same orchestra that Tata Nacho conducted from 1960-1968.}}</ref> [[Comedy duo]] [[Lyons and Yosco]] became popular for their million-selling [[ragtime]] piece "Spaghetti Rag".<ref>{{cite book |last=Jasen |first=David A |date=1986 |title=Ragtime gems: original sheet music for 25 ragtime classics |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AVo30wDPbIMC&q=spaghetti+rag+recording&pg=PR3 |location=New York |publisher=Dover Publications |page=iii |isbn=978-0-486-25248-3}}</ref>

[[Mango (singer)|Pino Mango]] was the first modern pop artist from the region to achieve success in the Italian music scene. [[Arisa]] won both the "Newcomer" and the "Big Artist" section at the [[Sanremo Music Festival 2009|2009]] and the [[Sanremo Music Festival 2014|2014]] [[Sanremo Music Festival]] respectively. Mango's daughter [[Angelina Mango|Angelina]] also won the [[Sanremo Music Festival 2024|Sanremo Music Festival]] in 2024 and was ranked 7th in the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2024|Eurovision Song Contest]] in the same year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eurovision.tv/event/malmo-2024/grand-final|title=Malmö 2024 Scoreboard|website=Eurovision.tv|publisher=[[European Broadcasting Union]]|date=11 May 2024|access-date=12 May 2024|archive-date=30 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130185816/https://eurovision.tv/event/malmo-2024/grand-final|url-status=live}}</ref> Since the mid-1990s, Basilicata hosts the [[Agglutination Metal Festival]], one of the most long-lived [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] events in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://metalitalia.com/articolo/agglutination-metal-festival-2018-meet-greet-esclusivo-con-i-death-ss/|title=AGGLUTINATION METAL FESTIVAL 2018: meet & greet esclusivo con i DEATH SS|website=metalitalia.com|language=it|date=19 July 2018|access-date=2 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metalpit.it/xxiv-agglutination-metal-festival-il-programma-completo-del-festival/|title=XXIV AGGLUTINATION METAL FESTIVAL: il programma completo del festival|website=metalpit.it|language=it|date=12 June 2018|access-date=2 November 2018|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101054647/https://www.metalpit.it/xxiv-agglutination-metal-festival-il-programma-completo-del-festival/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Cinema===
Since the [[post–World War II]] era, Basilicata has become a set for many national and international film productions. [[Matera]] is the most coveted film location, especially for biblical-themed movies, being often compared with the ancient [[Jerusalem]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Basilicata Blockbusters: What To Watch Before Visiting|url=https://www.italymagazine.com/featured-story/basilicata-blockbusters-what-watch-visiting|website=italymagazine.com|access-date=16 November 2020}}</ref> Other locations include the [[ghost town]] of [[Craco]], [[Melfi]] and [[Maratea]]. The region hosted, among the others, the filming of ''[[Il demonio|Il Demonio]]'' (1963), ''[[The Gospel According to St. Matthew (film)|The Gospel According to St. Matthew]]'' (1964), ''[[Christ Stopped at Eboli (film)|Christ Stopped at Eboli]]'' (1979), ''[[I'm Not Scared]]'' (2003), ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'' (2004), ''[[The Omen (2006 film)|The Omen]]'' (2006), ''[[Quantum of Solace]]'' (2008), ''[[Wonder Woman (2017 film)|Wonder Woman]]'' (2017), ''[[No Time to Die]]'' (2021).

Some actors and film directors are from Basilicata, most notably [[Robert G. Vignola]], a prominent figure of the [[silent era]], [[Pasquale Festa Campanile]], associated with the ''[[commedia all'italiana]]'' genre, [[Ruggero Deodato]], known for his [[horror film]]s such as the controversial ''[[Cannibal Holocaust]]''. [[Tanio Boccia]], [[Rocco Papaleo]], [[Antonio Gerardi]], [[Antonio Petrocelli]], [[Alessandra Di Sanzo]] are other notable personalities in the Italian movie industry.

===Cuisine===
{{main|Cuisine of Basilicata}}
[[File:Le Lamie di Bitonte.jpg|thumb|[[Peperone crusco]], a staple of the cuisine of Basilicata]]
The local cuisine is mostly based on [[pork]] and [[sheep meat]], [[legumes]], [[cereals]], [[vegetables]] and [[tubers]]. It is commonly referred to as {{langnf|it|[[peasant food|cucina povera]]|cuisine of the poor}}, deeply anchored in peasant traditions. Bread crumb is considered a poor-man's cheese substitute, sprinkled over pasta dishes and used as a seasoning for meat and vegetables. [[Horseradish]] is often used as a spice and condiment, which is referred to as "poor man's truffle".<ref name ="greatitalianchefs">{{Cite web|url=https://www.greatitalianchefs.com/features/basilicata-food-guide|title=The complete foodie guide to Basilicata|website=greatitalianchefs.com|date=8 August 2019|access-date=16 November 2020}}</ref> The [[peperone crusco]] ([[Prodotti agroalimentari tradizionali|PAT]]) is a specialty of the regional cuisine, sometimes labeled as "the red gold of Basilicata".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lacucinaitaliana.com/trip-to-italy/southern-italy/crusco-peppers-the-red-necklaces-of-basilicata-towns?refresh_ce=|title=Crusco Peppers: the Red Necklaces of Basilicata Towns |website=lacucinaitaliana.com|date=16 September 2019|access-date=30 August 2020}}</ref> It is the dried form of the [[peperone di Senise]] ([[Protected Geographical Status|PGI]]), one of the most popular Italian pepper varieties.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tasteatlas.com/most-popular-peppers-in-italy|title=Top 3 most popular Italian peppers|website=tasteatlas.com|date=19 November 2020|access-date=19 November 2020}}</ref> Traditional recipes include pasta dishes like ''[[pasta con i peperoni cruschi]]'' and ''[[tumact me tulez]]'', and main courses such as ''[[rafanata]]'', ''[[acquasale]]''. ''[[U' pastizz 'rtunnar|Pastizz]]'' and ''falagone'' are common [[street food]]s.

Basilicata is best known for the [[Lucanica di Picerno]] (PGI) pork sausage that derives from [[lucanica]], an ancient recipe originated before the [[Roman empire]].<ref name ="greatitalianchefs"/> [[Pane di Matera]] (PGI) is a type of bread recognizable for its intense flavour and conical shape, as well as long preservation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.italianfoodexcellence.com/bread-of-matera-a-world-patrimony/|title=Bread of Matera, a world patrimony |website=italianfoodexcellence.com|date=14 November 2016|access-date=16 November 2020}}</ref> Other principal products are cheeses like [[pecorino di Filiano]] ([[Protected Geographical Status|PDO]]), [[canestrato di Moliterno]] (PGI), [[padraccio]] (PAT) and [[treccia dura]] (PAT); vegetables like [[melanzana rossa di Rotonda]] (PDO); and legumes like [[fagiolo di Sarconi]] (PGI) and [[fagiolo bianco di Rotonda]] (PDO). The region is also known for its naturally sparkling [[mineral water]] that springs from the streams of [[Mount Vulture]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aptbasilicata.it/Vulture-Mineral-Waters.651+M52087573ab0.0.html|title=Rionero in Vulture (PZ) - Vulture Mineral Waters|website=aptbasilicata.it|access-date=16 November 2020|archive-date=6 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606064537/http://www.aptbasilicata.it/Vulture-Mineral-Waters.651+M52087573ab0.0.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Alcoholic beverages include [[Aglianico del Vulture]], considered one of Italy's top red wines,<ref>{{cite web|title=Aglianico del Vulture: The Basilicata Region Produces One of the Great Undiscovered Wines of Italy|url=http://www.intowine.com/aglianico-del-vulture-basilicata-region-produces-one-great-undiscovered-wines-italy?page=0,2|website=intowine.com| date=22 May 2008 |access-date=4 March 2016}}</ref><ref name ="greatitalianchefs"/> and [[Amaro Lucano]] liqueur.

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{EB1911 poster|Basilicata}}
{{commons}}
*{{Official website|https://www.regione.basilicata.it}}
*[https://www.basilicataturistica.it/en/ Basilicata Tourist Office]
*[https://valesmonkeys.smugmug.com/Photography/Basilicata/ Photo gallery made by a UNESCO photographer]

{{Basilicata}}
{{regions of Italy}}
{{Italy topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Basilicata| ]]
[[Category:Regions of Italy]]
[[Category:NUTS 2 statistical regions of the European Union]]
[[Category:Wine regions of Italy]]