Maratea

Perched high above the Coast

Maratea is a small Basilicatan town (pop. 5,600) perched high on the Tyrrhenian coastline in the Gulf of Polycastro. In recent years Maratea has become the center for up-market tourism in the area. The old town has been carefully restored and has two main piazzas and a maze of narrow streets and alley ways. These days they contain good restaurants, interesting shops and pleasant open air cafes where one can sip a capuchino and watch the world go by. We have several properties for sale in this town, apartments, villas, and restoration projects, many with wonderful views over the town and bay.

Festival

^{There is a festival between the first and second Sundays in May which is initiated by a procession carrying a bust of San Biaggio covered by a red cloth which is removed by the mayor to show to the faithful. The week that follows is a celebration of music, drama, dance and other events.}

Old Town

^{The old town houses several churches, the earliest dating from the twelveth century and replete with frescos and marbles. This area has been host to most of the civilizations of the western world and there is a great deal here to interest the historian. It's small wonder that Maratea is described as the 'jewel of Basilicata'.}

Harbour

^{A winding road takes you down to the Porto di Maratea shown in the adjacent picture. Once a fishing harbour, these days it is mostly host to pleasure craft. The coastline is varied, quite rugged in places with hidden beaches bordered by maritime pines, caves, exceptionally clear water and underwater reefs. It is a coastline to explore and discover one's own secluded cove. There are several grottos. In the 'Grotta d'I Monacelli' (the grotto of the monks) the water glows a luminous blue due to refraction through an underwater hollow.}

^{Towering above both the port and the old town is Mt. S. Biagio. On the summit is the statue of Christ the Redeemer sculpted in 1965 by Bruno Innocenti. At night, illuminated brilliant white, it appears to soar through the sky.}