A complete and detailed guide of 10 things to do and to see in Venosa
Home town of the Latin poet Quinto Orazio Flacco and one of the most beautiful places in Italy, Venosa is a splendid city where the past is still alive. Valuable for its architectural heritage and surrounded by the nature of the Vulture Melfese, it is the motherland of one of the finest products of Basilicata, the famous Aglianico del Vulture DOC wine.
1. Visit the ducal Castle of the Balzo
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One of the most prestigious monuments of Venosa is the majestic Aragonese Castle, built in 1470 by order of Duke Pirro del Balzo. Born as a fortress, the castle was transformed into a noble residence during the 1600s. Today it is perfectly preserved and can be visited in all its splednor. The castle looks magnificent with its 4 cylindrical towers and massive walls. Today it houses the Municipal Library and the Archaeological Museum, where the finds from the archaeological areas of Notarchirico and ancient Venusia are collected.
2. Discover the production of Aglianico del Vulture
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Venosa is one of the productive hearts of the prestigious Aglianico del Vulture wine, already praised by the Roman poet Orazio. When in Venosa one cannot miss discovering this historic wine, famous for its delicate scent of ripe black fruits and an unmistakable flavor. If you are curious to discover its production secrets, the Re Manfredi company organizes guided tours, upon reservation, in its Terre degli Svevi cellar. They also run a wine shop where it is possible to taste wines before buying.
3. Admire the Holy Trinity Complex
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If historical monuments fascinate you, do not miss a visit to the Complex of the Holy Trinity, one of the most important monumental sites in the south. The structure consists of the Ancient Church, the most massive body reserved for the monastery and to welcome pilgrims, the Baptistery, probably an early Christian church with two baptismal basins and, above all, the Unfinished Church. It is an ecclesial structure of the Norman era that was never completed, but even so it is a splendid example of ancient architecture.
4. Visit the Archaeological Park
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Adjacent to the Complex of the Holy Trinity is the Archaeological Park, a place full of charm that contains ruins ranging from Roman to medieval times. The route will take you to admire two domus dating back to the 2nd century BC, the thermal complex in which the changing room and the different environments can still be distinguished, as well as beautiful marine-themed mosaics, and the Roman amphitheater, a 70-meter arena that it is assumed could host up to 10,000 spectators.
5. Taste the typical flavors
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In Venosa, good food is distinguished by strong and traditional flavors that tell of the village’s peasant vocation. Among the most characteristic first courses you will find homemade cavatelli with turnip greens (and sometimes with the addition of crusco pepper) and past ‘e tar’ cucòzz, penne with pumpkin talli and peeled tomatoes. Among the latter, however, cod with cruschi peppers, typical throughout Basilicata, is very popular. You can discover these and many other delights at Locanda Oraziana, a family-run trattoria specializing in traditional dishes. The fried cod with broad bean purée and crusco pepper and the orecchiette all’oraziana are highly recommended.
6. Visit the Jewish catacombs
Jewish catacombs
The beauties of Venosa continue underground: under the Maddalena hill, just outside the fortified walls, you can visit the Jewish catacombs, demonstrating the presence of a substantial Jewish community between the 4th and 9th centuries. Entirely excavated in the tuff and divided into several tunnels with niches, they have numerous perfectly preserved graffiti and inscriptions. The site can be visited with a guide, sending a request to the headquarters of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage of Venosa.
7. Discover the house of Quinto Orazio Flacco
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In an alley near Piazza Orazio you can visit what should be the birthplace of the poet Quinto Orazio Flacco, who was born in Venosa in the 1st century BC. The place is a small and charming Roman patrician building, consisting of a spa room and another rectangular room. A part of its architectural value, the place is truly suggestive. Here you may imagine the famous poet composing his verses, which have come down to us through the centuries.
8. Sleeping in a farmhouse
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In Venosa you can sleep in the ancient village in one of the many bed & breakfasts, but the experience not to be missed is that of staying in a farmhouse. You can do it at Tenuta Lagala, a farm that produces wine and oil, and which has also been used to welcome guests. You can stay in charming rooms created from the ancient farm buildings and silos, swim in the beautiful swimming pool surrounded by greenery and enjoy excellent typical dishes and the company’s wine in the restaurant and wine shop.
9. Give a gourmet dinner as a gift
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Not just tradition: in Venosa you will also find locals who have chosen to reinterpret the typical recipes of the area. Book a table at Al Baliaggio, a restaurant in a 15th century building where the young chef-patron re-elaborates traditional cuisine using only local products. Also excellent is L’Incanto, a restaurant in the narrow streets of the historic center where you can taste one of the most interesting interpretations of the local cuisine, a smart reinterpretation of local products and creative re-propositions of ancient recipes.
10. Sip a glass of wine in Piazza Castello
The favorite meeting place of the almost 12,000 inhabitants of Venosa is Piazza Umberto I, known as Piazza Castello, the town’s living room and the perfect place to spend a pleasant evening sipping a glass of Aglianico del Vulture. You can do it at the Lucanian regional enoteca, where the wines can be tasted together with dishes and snacks, or purchased as a delicious souvenir of your trip to Venosa. The Enoteca often organizes tasting evenings and events dedicated to telling the wine soul of the area.
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