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Maratea
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The main - indeed the only - town on Basilicata's Tyrrhenian seaboard,
MARATEA
is a picturesque cluster of localities scattered along the cliffy coastline, mostly dedicated to the holiday industry during summer but perfectly peaceful outside the peak period. The old inland centre, known simply as
Maratea Paese
, is a knot of steep, narrow alleys and squares worth nosing around, though lacking any vital attractions. More compelling are the straggling, long-abandoned ruins of
Maratea Antica
behind and above town up the five-kilometre road to
Monte San Biagio
(624m), from which memorable views extend over the Golfo di Policastro. The peak is dominated by the
Redentore
, an enormous marble Christ, arms akimbo, symbolically positioned with its back to the sea, looking towards the mountains of the interior. Opposite the statue, and looking as if it were about to be crushed under the giant's feet, is the
Santuario di San Biagio
, built on the site of a pagan temple dedicated to Minerva and now the destination of a procession during the town's main festivities on the second Sunday of May, when a statue of the patron saint is carried up the hill.
Maratea's chief allure, however, is the beautiful rocky coastline hereabouts and the string of coastal offshoots where the hotels and restaurants are located. Most of the action - and accommodation - is in or around the
frazione
of
Fiumicello
, 5km north of Maratea Paese, though the chic elite who have colonized much of the area prefer to be seen in the snazzier bars and restaurants of
Maratea Porto
, directly below Maratea Paese - if nothing else, a pleasant place to stroll around and gawp at the yachts. The whole area is well endowed with sandy
beaches
, including a good one below Fiumicello; most are well signposted, but don't hesitate to explore the less obvious ones. Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections): |
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Italy,
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