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Basilicata: Authentic Italy
Journey to the small, rocky region in the heart of the Italian south, to a land where ancient pagan rites live alongside those of the Catholic Church, world-class wine washes down edible hyacinth bulbs, zip-lines parallel old mule trails, and the air is infused with the ideals of Roman poets and brigands. Best known for the evocative cave dwellings of Matera, Basilicata packs an incredible diversity into the unassuming instep of the Italian boot. To discover what makes this region tick, the author traverses Mediterranean beaches and Alpine forests, visits medieval castles and modest homes, attends folkloric festivals and samples earthy local cuisine, uncovering Basilicata past and present, from pre-Greek to the story of emigration that continues today.
Authentic Italy goes off Italy's beaten tourist path and digs deep into this lesser-known Southern Italian region. With heart and humor, Karen Haid sets out to explore this fascinating land that maintains an old-world charm and authenticity into the 21st century. Highlights include a mountain community's ritualistic Marriage of Trees, an international celebration of fantastical carnival masks, the capital city's colorful Parade of the Turks, a relaxing sojourn at a classic Italian spa facility, visits to wineries, and of course, the unbridled consumption of countless culinary delicacies. Who knew that a sweet, dried pepper could bring such crunchy delight?
Authentic Italy examines historical context when coming upon the region's challenges. How could such a noble land, the birthplace of the likes of Horace and final resting place of Pythagoras become the 20th century's back and beyond, a place where the Fascists exiled political prisoners? What motivated the likes of Carmine Crocco, Basilicata's most famous brigand-common criminality or social revolt against the devastating consequences of Italian Unification? At times, progress has seemingly passed the region by, while at others, has wreaked havoc, such as in the case of the ghost town of Craco and big oil in Viggiano. Religion has played its part, as well, and the author encounters symbols from ancient burial objects in numerous archeological museums to the Jewish catacombs of Venosa to the extraordinary Early Christian cave paintings in the Crypt of the Original Sin to Maratea's Christ statue that rivals Rio's.
All along the way, the author's experience is enriched by the local people, and perhaps their story resounds the loudest in Matera, a place where personal integrity, cultural strength and an incredible collective resilience were brought into force to overcome past difficulty. Once considered a national shame, the Sassi di Matera are today hailed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the footsteps of international tourists in-the-know echo along its ancient stone streets. Authentic Italy reflects on the region past and present, as well as considers the future of a land and its people with so much to offer and an even greater potential yet to be realized. Basilicata is a corner of Italy where that elusive authentic experience sought out by today's traveler can be found. The author does so and shares the joys and challenges of the experience.
Authentic Italy goes off Italy's beaten tourist path and digs deep into this lesser-known Southern Italian region. With heart and humor, Karen Haid sets out to explore this fascinating land that maintains an old-world charm and authenticity into the 21st century. Highlights include a mountain community's ritualistic Marriage of Trees, an international celebration of fantastical carnival masks, the capital city's colorful Parade of the Turks, a relaxing sojourn at a classic Italian spa facility, visits to wineries, and of course, the unbridled consumption of countless culinary delicacies. Who knew that a sweet, dried pepper could bring such crunchy delight?
Authentic Italy examines historical context when coming upon the region's challenges. How could such a noble land, the birthplace of the likes of Horace and final resting place of Pythagoras become the 20th century's back and beyond, a place where the Fascists exiled political prisoners? What motivated the likes of Carmine Crocco, Basilicata's most famous brigand-common criminality or social revolt against the devastating consequences of Italian Unification? At times, progress has seemingly passed the region by, while at others, has wreaked havoc, such as in the case of the ghost town of Craco and big oil in Viggiano. Religion has played its part, as well, and the author encounters symbols from ancient burial objects in numerous archeological museums to the Jewish catacombs of Venosa to the extraordinary Early Christian cave paintings in the Crypt of the Original Sin to Maratea's Christ statue that rivals Rio's.
All along the way, the author's experience is enriched by the local people, and perhaps their story resounds the loudest in Matera, a place where personal integrity, cultural strength and an incredible collective resilience were brought into force to overcome past difficulty. Once considered a national shame, the Sassi di Matera are today hailed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the footsteps of international tourists in-the-know echo along its ancient stone streets. Authentic Italy reflects on the region past and present, as well as considers the future of a land and its people with so much to offer and an even greater potential yet to be realized. Basilicata is a corner of Italy where that elusive authentic experience sought out by today's traveler can be found. The author does so and shares the joys and challenges of the experience.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2020
12 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Karen Haid
2 books3 followersKnowing the meaning of “al dente” before it was in vogue, Karen Haid inherited her love of Italy and its traditions from her parents. She went on to earn Dante Alighieri Society’s most advanced certification as well as credentials to teach the Italian language and culture from Reggio Calabria’s University for Foreigners. Calabria: The Other Italy grew out of a four-year immersion, observing, interacting and absorbing the wonders of the people and the place. She teaches, translates and writes on Italy and other topics. Visit her Italian blog: http://www.calabriatheotheritaly.com/...
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 22, 2020
Due to current travel restrictions, travelers can only dream about places that they want to visit while they start their planning for the day that we can travel anywhere in the world. Not sure when that will be but until then, I'll continue reading about and planning my next trip.
The author takes us to the south of Italy to look at the history, the people and the food. This is much more than a travel book about where to go - it's a daily dairy of her trip that mentions all of the wonderful people and places she encountered as well as a few places to skip. It's a combination of history that contributed to the land today, the wonderful food and the fantastic people that she encountered - along with local customs and celebrations.
So whether you are dreaming about a trip to Italy or making plans to go, you need to check out this travel guide so that you can get the ultimate enjoyment out of your travels.
The author takes us to the south of Italy to look at the history, the people and the food. This is much more than a travel book about where to go - it's a daily dairy of her trip that mentions all of the wonderful people and places she encountered as well as a few places to skip. It's a combination of history that contributed to the land today, the wonderful food and the fantastic people that she encountered - along with local customs and celebrations.
So whether you are dreaming about a trip to Italy or making plans to go, you need to check out this travel guide so that you can get the ultimate enjoyment out of your travels.
January 16, 2021
A seeming companion to the author's award winning previous traversal of southern Italy entitled Calabria: The Other Italy comes Basilicata: Authentic Italy and yet another gem of a read exploring the less familiar byways, people, culture and delights competing among a glut of Italiana crowding bookshelves, both physically and in the imagination. As in her previous book, this new addition to an Italy less traveled encompasses history, culture, food, people (both famous and unfamiliar) and traditions that define a world that retains an authenticity that has escaped mainstream versions of Italian life found elsewhere. One may pose the question..."What's so authentic about Basilicata that is not evinced in the larger metropolitan areas north of the Tiber?" In a cogent and lucid 225 pages of reflections and personal observations, the author presents a unifying narrative that reveals a meld of tradition, history, geographical vistas, disappointments and triumphs, and people and places that accumulate into a vision of an Italy that retains its values and challenges without contemporary diversions that gloss a true meaning of life's explorations. With humor, reverence and sensitive insight, the author presents to the engaged reader a land and a people that exhibit an authenticity untarnished by modernity and yet eager to be respected and admired in the unfolding story of the Italian peninsula. Of course the familiar places like Potenza and Matera are featured among a myriad of cameo appearances of mountain towns, a deserted village and celebrations of traditions of ancient origins in this most enjoyable and highly edifying book. No understanding of Italy, past and present is complete without this author's insight through her first two books. I suspect that more is coming. Awaiting them patiently will be this reviewer's most enduring challenge. Kudos all around and highly recommended.
February 7, 2021
This is an exceptionally descriptive and deeply researched travelogue, joining Karen Haid on her journey through Basilicata, in the deep south of Italy. Karen's incredible spirit of adventure is awe-inspiring as she travels solo through the high mountain passes, visiting remote villages, shrines, museums and churches. She samples all the regional foods and wines, attends several festivals and even slides, head first, across a high mountain gorge on a zipline! Karen's sense of humour and obviously friendly manner kept me engaged from cover to cover. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in knowing more about this remote, mountainous region of Italy, whether planning to visit or not.
January 5, 2021
Basilicata: Authentic Italy takes us on a voyage to one of the least travelled areas of the country. Reading this book is like going on a road trip through Basilicata with the author. She vividly recreates religious and folkloristic festivals, rituals, pilgrimages and customs, exploring and explaining the layers upon layers of history in the region.
We are taken on visits to archeological sites, museums, a 6 day stay at a wellness spa, and several outdoor excursions. I am now intrigued to try acquatrekking®! One of the things I enjoyed most was reading about interactions and spontaneous encounters with local people in the villages along the way.
This book is well-written, with humour, fun, sensitivity and a great respect for the people, the land, traditions and even contradictions. I chuckled at the references to the common ‘italian problem’ of not being able to make change. There were also many references to one of my favourite books ‘Christ Stopped at Eboli’ as well as other literary works about Basilicata and the south of Italy, which take the reader one step deeper into the area.
I have been to the amazing Matera, and to Melfi to pick up Aglianico, but now I am looking forward to discovering more of Basilicata-once travel is allowed again. Whether planning an ‘in real life’ visit to Basilicata one day, or just travelling vicariously, I would recommend reading Basilicata: Authentic Italy with a glass of Aglianico di Vulture-if you are lucky enough to find it! Salute e buon viaggio!
We are taken on visits to archeological sites, museums, a 6 day stay at a wellness spa, and several outdoor excursions. I am now intrigued to try acquatrekking®! One of the things I enjoyed most was reading about interactions and spontaneous encounters with local people in the villages along the way.
This book is well-written, with humour, fun, sensitivity and a great respect for the people, the land, traditions and even contradictions. I chuckled at the references to the common ‘italian problem’ of not being able to make change. There were also many references to one of my favourite books ‘Christ Stopped at Eboli’ as well as other literary works about Basilicata and the south of Italy, which take the reader one step deeper into the area.
I have been to the amazing Matera, and to Melfi to pick up Aglianico, but now I am looking forward to discovering more of Basilicata-once travel is allowed again. Whether planning an ‘in real life’ visit to Basilicata one day, or just travelling vicariously, I would recommend reading Basilicata: Authentic Italy with a glass of Aglianico di Vulture-if you are lucky enough to find it! Salute e buon viaggio!
July 4, 2024
There are so few books out there written on this region of Italy. It's less of a guidebook and more of stories about the author's experience in the little towns. I read it to prep for a trip to the region -- and my family descends from here. So it was worthwhile for me! Recommended!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews