Pietrapertosa, the picturesque village in the rock

Founded in the 8th century BC, the village of Pietrapertosa owes its name to the enormous rock mass at the entrance of the village, which features a large natural hole within it.

Over the centuries, it experienced numerous dominations, from the Lombards to the Aragonese.

What to see in the village

Walking through the streets of the village, the first ideal stop is the Convent of San Francesco d’Assisi, founded in 1474 in the lower part of the town. Its square cloister, single-nave church with wooden ceiling, and rib-vaulted presbytery house authentic treasures: the Polyptych by Giovanni Luce, 15th-century frescoes, and works such as The Apparition of the Child to Saint Anthony of Padua by Giovanni De Gregorio, known as “Il Pietrafesa,” or the Immaculate Conception by Francesco Guma.

Climbing along Via Garibaldi, among ancient portals and picturesque views, one reaches the 15th-century Mother Church of San Giacomo. Inside are frescoes by Giovanni Luce, paintings by Pietro Antonio Ferro, and a panel depicting the Eternal Blessing Christ.

At the top of the village, the Norman-Swabian Castle rises like a stone sentinel. A staircase carved into the rock leads up between the houses to the ancient walls, the entrance arch, and the tower. Here, amid legends such as that of Constance of Hauteville and the “queen’s throne,” the gaze is lost in the breathtaking panorama of the Lucanian Dolomites, where mountains, forests, and streams chase each other endlessly.

Events and traditions

In Pietrapertosa, events mark the year with tradition and festivity. In February, Carnival culminates with a parade of masks and the curious “trial of Carnival” in Largo Garibaldi. On June 13 and the following weekend, the evocative Rito Arboreo del Mascio is celebrated, linked to ancient agrarian cults: the “king” and “queen” of the forest are felled, dragged into the village, and united in a symbolic marriage, accompanied by music, wine, biscuits, and the procession of Saint Anthony.

On August 10, with In the Footsteps of the Arabs, the Arabata district relives oriental atmospheres with scents, markets, and couscous. On December 13, the Feast of Saint Lucy is celebrated with mass and the distribution of the traditional cuccìa. Between late October and early November, Flavors of Autumn invites visitors to taste typical products in a village rich in authentic flavors.

What to see around Pietrapertosa

The surroundings of Pietrapertosa offer places that combine nature, history, and breathtaking views. The Regional Park of Gallipoli Cognato and the Lucanian Dolomites offers hiking trails through forests, gorges, and spectacular rock formations. The nearby village of Castelmezzano, connected to Pietrapertosa by the famous Flight of the Angel, offers picturesque views and a fascinating historic center.

Set off for Pietrapertosa to discover a village rich in history, culture, and Lucanian tradition.

(cover photo credits: Cinzia Astorino)