Vaglio Basilicata – Archaeology, Local History and Trails

Vaglio Basilicata combines a historic town centre with significant traces of the Lucanian past and a variety of trails through the landscape. Those looking for a holiday apartment for their stay can therefore plan their trip around their preferred daily activities: culture can be discovered in the town and its museums, while several trails lead to the archaeological sites.

Archaeology on the Heights

The Serra di Vaglio archaeological site is located in the municipality of Vaglio Basilicata at an altitude of 1,100 metres. It lies on a plateau overlooking the route through the Basento Valley. Rossano di Vaglio is another major historical destination. The site is interpreted as a confederative place of worship of the Lucanians and was founded around the middle of the 4th century BC near a water source and at a junction of several routes leading to the surrounding indigenous settlements.

The Museo delle Antiche Genti in the centre of Vaglio Basilicata houses two permanent exhibitions. They display original finds and replicas discovered at the Serra and Rossano sites. In addition, the municipal administration presents exhibitions of painting and sculpture every year. This makes it possible to combine a visit to the archaeological sites with time at the museum and another cultural highlight.

Historic Town Centre and Churches

A municipal walking tour leads through the historic centre along medieval streets, past entrance gates and palaces, and through an extensive system of covered passageways. The Chiesa Madre has three naves with round arches and was built during the Renaissance with Romanesque features. In the fortified town centre, the Chiesa di San Giuseppe lies behind the cathedral. It dates from the 16th century. At the entrance to the town stands the Chiesa del Carmine, in front of which is a large garden with a fountain; its portal has an 18th-century round arch.

These different stops give your visit to the town several possible focuses: you can concentrate on architectural history and religious architecture, follow the walking tour through the medieval streets, or combine a museum visit with the archaeological themes.

Trails for Active Exploration

I Sentieri dell’Acqua Antica comprises two tourist cycling and walking trails, each more than 25 kilometres long. Both begin in the historic centre of Vaglio Basilicata and lead to the archaeological parks of Serra and Rossano. For a longer outing, this network of trails combines physical activity and culture without limiting your travel plans to a single excursion.

Shorter is the 1.93-kilometre uphill hiking trail Tratturo Serra. It begins at Piazza dei Caduti, passes through Contrada Braida and reaches the excavations of Serra San Bernardo directly at an altitude of 1,095 metres. The 6.71-kilometre Tratturo Tataseppe–Ciscarella circular trail is designed as a longer walk. It leads through the landscape along quiet paths and through Mediterranean scrub, descends along Contrada Tataseppe and reaches the centre of Vaglio Basilicata. This allows you to choose between an uphill trail to the excavations and a longer loop through the landscape.

Local Tradition and a Culinary Finale

On Friday evenings, young people carry the Uglia through the streets of Vaglio Basilicata accompanied by music; dancing and singing take place along the way. After arriving in the square, the Uglia procession ends with a festival featuring dancing, gastronomic products and wine. This tradition adds its own accent alongside the archaeology, churches and hiking trails and can be taken into account when planning the trip as a cultural experience.

More Destinations for Your Planning

You can also visit the pages for Paterno, Armento, Nemoli, Maratea, Pescopagano, Brienza, Sant'arcangelo and Francavilla In Sinni.

For the overarching travel overview: Potenza.