Castelmezzano

Located in the heart of the Dolomiti Lucane, perched and protected from these imposing massifs of the sandstone rock that the wind and the rain have unceasingly dug in the course of time, Castelmezzano reveals itself in a manner quite unusual.
To enter the country in fact we must pass through a tunnel dug in the rock, immediately after crossing a small groove. This spectacular location, was fundamental for the defense of the village in the course of the centuries, whose origin is given around the X century a.c.

The name derives from the Castrum Medianum (literally median castle) built here by the Normans between the XI and XIII century a.c., and is so called because of its position with respect to those of the neighboring centers of Pietrapertosa and Brindisi Montagna. Of the castle are still visible the remains of the walls, a tank for the collection of rain water and the stairs carved into the rock that allowed access to the highest lookout point, from where it was possible to monitor the whole valley of the river Basento. The urban structure of Castelmezzano, typically medieval, is a rare example of a sustainable balance between natural components and human intervention.

The village is in fact as an agglomerate of concentric houses with roofs of sandstone embedded in a rocky basin: constructions are inserted directly in the rock. There are numerous steep stairs that open between the alleys and that invite you to climb to the peaks overhanging and enjoy the wonderful views of the Dolomiti Lucane. The heart of the city life is Caizzo Square at the center of which stands The Mother Church of Santa Maria dell'Olmo with its majestic facade in Romanic style. Outside the country, paths, stairways and bridges in stone allow to reach the valley of Caperrino, characterized by the remains of old mills, built in dry and whose roofs are made with slabs of local stone, said "chiang" in the local dialect. Castelmezzano falls with its territory in the area of the Park of Gallipoli Cognato Dolomiti Lucane that offers in addition to the pristine beauty of the landscape, the traces of a millenary history for the presence of the megalithic walls of the settlement, named Croccia Cognato, of the IV century b.c.

BY CAR

• From Potenza: take the SS 407 Basentana to the Albano exit, after the junction continue following the signs for Castelmezzano.
• From Naples: take the A3 SA-RC highway to the Sicignano junction, follow the Potenza-Sicignano motorway junction to Potenza. Continue on the SS 407 Basentana until the Albano exit, after the junction continue following the directions for Castelmezzano.
• From Bari, follow the signs for Matera along the SS7 to the entrance to the SS 407 Basentana. Continue towards Potenza until the Albano exit, after the junction continue following the directions for Castelmezzano.

ON THE TRAIN

• Power station

BY PLANE

• Naples airport
• Bari airport

• Weekly market: First and third Saturdays of the month, in the centre;

• Feast of May: one of the most beautiful and ancient traditions of Castelmezzano is the May, the occasion coinciding with the feast of Sant'Antonio. On the first Sunday of September a group of men gather in the woods of Paoloa to choose the tree of life. We proceed with the Cut du ' Masc, the May. The chosen Cerro will be brought to the village dragged by pairs of oxen. Meanwhile in the locality Virgila is chosen to ' Cim, the top.
  The parades with the male and the bride proceed to the country, during the course you make several stops to feast, sing and dance together. Arriving in the village there will be the solemn moment of the meeting between the two newlyweds, the May and the summit. The "yes" happens in the presence of the religious procession of St. Anthony of Padua and then passes to the graft between the two trees, so that may can be raised. The fatigue of those who pull the ropes and the emotion of those who assist accompanies the most important moment of the feast. Once raised, may can be climbed by young daredevils.
  In the summit of May are tied prizes, once were awarded through the traditional "shot" (the hunters of the place fired on the prizes to get them) today an upward auction decrees the winner. Music, fireworks and dances accompany the May of Castelmezzano to the conclusion;

• Feast of Cuccia: In December and during the Feast of Saint Lucia celebrates its typical dish;