Things to see · Villages and old towns
Via Pretoria and Potenza’s Historic Centre
Potenza (Potenza)
Via Pretoria and Potenza’s Historic Centre is in Potenza, province of Potenza. Opening hours: Always open. Admission: Free.
- Free.
- Always open.
About this place
Via Pretoria is the main street of the historic centre of Potenza. It runs the full length of the hilltop where the old town stands, and it is the place for the passeggiata (evening stroll), cafés and shops. It follows the route of the Roman city of Potentia.
What to see
• Piazza Mario Pagano, the city’s living room, redesigned by Gae Aulenti, with the Teatro Francesco Stabile.
• Piazza Matteotti, the centre of city life since the Middle Ages, with the Palazzo di Città, the Palazzo del Governo and the facade of the Banca d’Italia.
• The medieval churches in the side lanes: San Michele Arcangelo and San Francesco.
• The buildings rebuilt after the 1980 earthquake, and the Palazzo dell’INA, an example of 1930s architecture.
• The medieval gates: see the entry on the medieval gates of Potenza.
• At the eastern end, the Cathedral of San Gerardo and the Torre Guevara.
The vertical city
Potenza is known as «the city of a hundred staircases»: the historic centre sits on top of a ridge, while the modern neighbourhoods run down towards the Basento river. To climb up, you can use the escalators, among the longest in Europe, which link the car parks and lower areas with the centre.
Useful information
• The historic centre is largely pedestrianised, so it is best to leave your car in the car parks connected to the escalators.
• On the evening of 29 May, Via Pretoria becomes the stage for the Parata dei Turchi (Turks’ Parade).
• For a dip into the region’s ancient history, visit the National Archaeological Museum «Dinu Adamesteanu», just a short walk away.
