Pietrapertosa, in the province of Potenza, is the highest town in Basilicata. The original name, "Petraperciata", derives from "pierced stone", due to the presence of a cliff perforated from side to side, still clearly visible today at the highest point of the municipality. The village, perched on the Small Lucanian Dolomites and immersed in the Gallipoli Cognato Regional Park, is enchanting. It can be reached via a single road, which winds behind the imposing rocky mass at the entrance to the town, surrounded by steep cliffs and mountains. The village winds up to the foot of the ancient castle, also dug into the rock.
Village of wonders
Crossing the village of Pietrapertosa, you can admire the stately buildings with stone portals decorated with flowers, squares and inscriptions. The two most important churches are the Mother church, dedicated to San Giacomo Maggiore, and the church and convent of San Francesco, founded in 1474. Both places of worship house important works of art. Walking along the streets, you reach, in the upper part of the town, the oldest and most interesting neighbourhood: theArabata. Of Arab origins (as the name itself suggests), it is a real sculpture, of great beauty, where the traces left by the Arab rulers, led by Prince Bomar, are evident.
The legendary Saracen castle
At the highest point of Pietrapertosa the Saracen castle dominates. Fortified in the XNUMXth century, it took on a military defense function. From this point you can enjoy a spectacular view that extends over rocks, roofs, woods, rivers and streams. It is accessed via a staircase located close to the houses. First used by the Saracens, it was then a Norman-Swabian stronghold.
Only the entrance arch, a watchtower and part of the perimeter walls remain of the manor. The place is particularly suggestive because here Constance of Altavilla, mother of Frederick II would have sat on the "queen's throne", dug into the rock.
The Park and “La sagra du' Masc”
Pietrapertosa falls within the area of the Regional Park of Gallipoli Cognato and Piccole Dolomiti Lucane. The Park is one of the most beautiful green spaces in the region. Numerous animals live here (wolves, badgers, porcupines and wild cats, peregrine falcons, buzzards and nuthatches). In these woods, every year the trunk and the top, the "groom" and the "bride", the protagonists of the “La sagra du' Masc”. It is an arboreal rite known as "Wedding among the trees", which is celebrated in June in honor of Saint Anthony. Inside the park stand the majestic sandstone rocks that form the Lucanian Dolomites of Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa, which can be flown over thanks to "The flight of the angel", one of the great Lucanian attractions.
(Photo: Municipality of Pietrapertosa – Dolomiti Lucane, Facebook Page)
