TRIP IN THE VULTURE

TRIP IN THE VULTURE
The Vulture area for its historical, architectural, landscaping and naturalistic value, is a territory marked by a strong tourism connotation. This vocation, also enriched by interesting and characterizing aspects such as food, wine and hospitality, takes shape in providing thematic or highly suggestive itineraries. The ability to carry out numerous cultural and leisure activities in environmental contexts still largely intact and immune from mass tourism rhythm and contamination, is a virtuous tool that self-selects consumers which could, however, be further supported and encouraged in the direction of a sustainable development of the sector. The combination of nature and culture finds in the Vulture, a perfect place of sublimation. The inhabited centers, evenly distributed on the territory, reflect in the original urban planning of the nucleus and in the architectural evidence, their historical, social and cultural identity. Common element between them, even today, although slightly perceivable, is the close link with the territory and especially with the land as historical and essential source of sustenance. ? ?
RIONERO IN VULTURE
?Our long journey begins on the eastern slopes of Mount Vulture, in Rionero in Vulture, the town that maybe expresses territorially and not only for the name the closest connection with the ancient volcano that gave birth to Giustino Fortunato (1841-1932) , writer and parliamentarian committed on the issue of "questione meridionale" (southern problem). Its origins go back to 1152 as the country house of the Bishop of Rapolla, with the name of Santa Maria di Rivo Nigro. The old town still preserves the eighteenth-century palaces Granada and Fortunato, as well as the Church Madre, with the baroque facade, built in 1763. Then on the outskirts of town,  there is the church of Sant'Antonio Abate, probably from the Benedictine.

??Wineries to visit

??Cantine del Notaio ?Via Roma 159 – 85028 Rionero in Vulture (PZ) tel. +39 0972 723689 fax +39 0972 725435.? It's the realization of a successful project to enhance the Aglianico grape by Gerardo Giuratrabocchetti. The retrieval of ancient wineries dug into the volcanic tuff and the choice of vineyards all over the age of thirty years, have been the successful choices for an encounter between technology and tradition. Tours and tastings: by appointment.

Colli Cerentino srl ?Via Matteotti, 10 85028 Rionero in Vulture (PZ) tel. +39 0972 237587 cell. +39 329 3256624.?The company since its birth can count on the ownership of seven hectares of prestigious vineyards  and has adopted more suitable production techniques for the production of limited quantities of grapes of superior quality.

Terra dei Re ?Via Monticchio Km 2.700 – 85028 RIONERO IN VULTURE (PZ) tel./fax +39 0972 725116? Winery visits and tasting: from Monday to Saturday  9,00 am - 1,00 pm  4,00 pm – 7,00 pm.

The ancient heart of the Aglianico del Vulture has a noble future: Land of the Kings. The company has eleven acres of vineyard located in the Barile countryside in the districts, highly suited for the production of Aglianico del Vulture, called "Piano di Carro" and "Macario". The winery recently built covers an area of 4 hectares in the town of Rionero in Vulture, Basilicata, and has a surface of 3000 square meters. It rises on Mount Vulture slopes and precisely on the road that from Rionero in Vulture leads to the lakes of Monticchio. The winery is completely underground at a depth of about 25 meters with annexed caves dug into the volcanic rock in which the precious product is refined.??

MELFI?

Medieval city, Melfi was dominated by the Lombards, then by the Byzantines. Named Norman county in Italy, in 1041, acquired prestige and Melfi was equipped with the famous castle, later expanded by the Swabians and Angevins, seat of numerous councils and of the promulgation of the "Costitutiones Augustales" by Frederick II, an innovative complex of legal rules. Today it houses the National Museum of Melfi. Of particular artistic interest is the Cathedral dedicated to the Assunta that even if was built in Norman times, because of disastrous earthquakes, it retains almost nothing of the original structure, except for the bell tower of 1153. The interior, in Baroque style, rebuilt in the eighteenth century, has three naves and houses a fifteenth century wooden crucifix, many paintings and a twelfth century panel depicting the Madonna and Child. Next to the Cathedral is the Bishop's Palace. Porta Venosina, ancient entrance to the city, still retains the Swabian construction pointed arch.
VENOSA

?In few kilometers it's possible to reach the town of Venosa, the center has already been active in the Lower Palaeolithic. With the romanization phase, which began in 291 BC and the extension of Via Appia, the ancient city of Venus, became so important that enjoyed the privileged status of Municipium. In 65 BC the highest Quinto Orazio Flacco was born here, the Latin poet who still today invites to toast with his "Nunc bibendum east" and that in his lyrics full of sentiment, did not forget to mention the natural beauty of his land. In the Early Middle Ages, Venosa was occupied by the Lombards and Byzantines and then, suffered repeated Saracen raids.There are also the evidence of the presence of an active Jewish community. Manfredi Lancia Hohenstaufen was born here, the natural son of Frederick II and Bianca Lancia. The nobles d'Angiò, Del Balzo Orsini, the Aragonese, the Gesualdo, the Ludovisi and Caracciolo, succeeded one another in the government of Venosa. Of great historical-architectural importance is the Castle Del Balzo, built between 1460 and 1470, inside of which is home to the National Archaeological Museum.

Of extraordinary beauty is the abbey of SS. Trinity masterpiece of Benedictine architecture. Begun in 1046 on a pre-existing early medieval church, it was consecrated by Pope Nicholas II in 1059. The so-called "New Church" represents an integral part of the abbey complex.  It was left unfinished and is a true open-air museum since it has been built reusing Roman and Jewish walls fragments with numerous inscriptions. Worthy of note is the cathedral built between 1470 and 1522, the year of his consecration.
Wineries to visit

?Terra degli Svevi ?Loc. Pian di Camera – 85029 VENOSA (PZ) tel. +39 0972 31263 fax.+39 0972 35253? Tours and wine tastings on request.

Accommodation

Grand Hotel Garden?Loc. Giardino SS93 Km 75 – 85022 BARILE (PZ) tel. +39 0972 761533.?Email: info@grandhotelgarden.it ; Web: www.grandhotelgarden.it

NOVA SIRI?
Nova Siri is a small picturesque village of about 6500 souls in Lucania, or Basilicata. Usually today we refer to Nova Siri with the names of Nova Siri village and Nova Siri Marina, village that overlooks the Ionian coast. In fact the village, part of Matera province, but already leaning on the border of Calabria region, finds its first historic location set on a hill, where you can still admire the picturesque old town, but over time the town has grown a lot , definitely moving, especially in recent times, towards the coast, where he has developed a prosperous summer tourism, thanks to the charm of wonderful sea.
Wineries to visit

?AZIENDA AGRICOLA TAVERNA?

Contrada Taverna, 15 ?75020- Nova Siri ?Tel. +39 0835877083/422  Fax +39 0835877083/422?

In 1985, Dr. Egidio Lunati, has started experimenting some cultivars of fine wine grapes such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Greco. Today the company produces DOC wines, in the province of Potenza, and IGT wines, in the province of Matera. Opening days and Hours: Monday-Saturday 9.00 am/1.00 pm 3.00 /7.00 pm Days and visiting hours: Monday-Saturday 9.00 am/1.00 pm, 3.00/7.00 pm (reservations only)

?MASCHITO?

The town is developed into a central and oldest part (the old town), dating from the late 1500 and in  suburbs, which developed after World War II, where now most of the population lives. The most important monuments are the three churches, many aristocratic palaces and the Skanderbeg fountain.
Wineries to visit
CASA MASCHITO?

Via Nitti 85020- Maschito?Tel. +39 0972 33101  Fax +39 0972 33077?Web: www.casamaschito.it

From the Heart of the hills of the Vulture, an ancient land shaped by the volcanoes lava, come great wines and sparkling wines of "Casa Maschito", result of the commitment of young entrepreneurs aimed at quality and value of the territory.

??Where to eat??

Cantine del Notaio? Via Roma 159 – 85028 RIONERO IN VULTURE tel. +39 0972 723689 fax +39 0972 725435?Email: info@cantinedelnotaio.it; Web: www.cantinedelnotaio.com??