CALITRI

From Saint Andrea of Conza to Calitri: 14.7 km, firstly taking the state of 401, on the peak of Ofanto and Vulture, followed by the state 399, onto Calitri. One decends north-east into the valleys of T.Guana and passes Ofanto at 10.5 km, taking the station of Calitri-Pescopagno; then with a series of winding roads, one rises at 14.7km to Calitri. 530m altitude and 5685 inhabitants, an agricultural and industrial centre (ceramics, materials, wood, iron, wool) situated on a hill between the valleys of Ofanto and those of the T.Cortino. It is assembled in a locality inhabited since ancient times, demonstrated by finds of vases, coins and epigraphs of the area. In the height of the Medieval era it was the castle advanced by Conza. From 1140 to 1239, it was the feudality of Balvano with the name Galestrum, in 1269 it was donated to Carlo of Angio at Galeotto of Fleury, who gave it to Gesualdo in 1304 who in turn held it until the end of 1629. The Ludovisi were next in control and, followed by the Mirelli from 1679 to 1806. Consequently, feudality came to a timely end then. It is the birthplace of the biologist Angelo Maria Muffucci (1845-1903) and the mathemetician Alfonso Maria del Re (1859-1921).

Both a cold sulfurous spring and a sodium chlorinated spring flow in the locality. One can be tantalized by the vast panorama seen from the nearby hills of Le Serre at 910m and Gagliano at 712m. One is able to the end of Cervialto, Vulture, Partenio, and on clear days as far as Manfredonia.

At 78.8km, a little after one enters in the region of Basilicata, and the winding western slopes of Mount Cavo at 1001m, one reaches Pescopagno at 954m altitude, with 2140 inhabitants, an agricultural and commericial centre, frequented by villagers, it lies in a beautiful spot on a cliff. Continuing on, one reaches the crossing of Granito at 1136m altitude; through curved busy roads one descends and touches Castelgrande at 94.9km.

At 950m altitude with 1232 inhabitants, it is an agricultural-pastoral centre with a vast panaroma by virtue of it resting a top a peak. Following a continual descent, with curves, one joins the Muro Lucano at 103.5 km. At 600m altitude with 6057 inhabitants, it is a centre of antique origin, singularly position on the slope of a rocky spur. From here, the State comes down along the stream of a wall and at a certain point one reaches beside the Napoil-Potenza trainstation; going up the valley of the river of Isca, one reaches, at 133.1 km, Ruoti, at 751 m altitude, with 3668 inhabitants, located in a beautiful position atop a hill. To conclude, on a final road amidst delightful wooded paths with stunning views, one completes the journey at 152.6km, at Potenza at 819m altitude, with 68920 inhabitants. It is the capital of the region of Basilica, an animated city which is predominatly modern. There is an interesting mix: an ancient core and a commercial and industrial centre. It lies on an elevated position along the back of a hill, Bascilicata Calabria, lying upon the same border.