Two hours in Castelmezzano, Basilicata

Some times ago on a Sunday we were in Basilicata. Looking through Tripadvizor for the restaurant, where we could go for lunch, I noticed that all restaurants in the town Castelmezzano have many reviews. Other restaurants within 30 kilometers have not more then a dozen of reviews. And all the reviewers wrote about the "Volo dell'angelo" - Fly of the Angel. It grown an interest in us, and we decided to look at this town and find out what is this - Volo dell'angel. 

In Italy, a beautiful small towns we call Borgo, and, as it turned out that Castelmezzano is among the 100 most beautiful Borgo of Italy. This was a surprise, and it's only 2 hours by car from Brindisi! This stunning little town, literally stuck to the cliff. 

Volo dell'angelo turned out to be an attraction famous for Europe! 

Between two mountain peaks in Lucan Dolomites a steel cable tensioned (actually two of them - because you make two way fly). You can feel like an angel who flies in the sky and see breathtaking panorama. Anyone who overcame his fear, can enjoy not only the sensation of free flight but magnificent views a bird's-eye, or better to say - angelic's -eye. There are gorgeouse mountains, water stream and forests. Unfortunately, it was still closed (it was spring), but we will definitely go back and try it) 

In Castelmezzano thera re many narrow streets, rising at an angle and small ladders to shorten the path between the streets. 

There are several restaurants, in one of which, a small trattoria over this bar we had lunch. 15 euros per person, we got a fixed menu, everything was very tasty and soooo much that the next time we'll take only one)) 

Top-down view of the houses and streets 

On the opposite hill is another town - Petrapertosa, on the right

On the way to the town of a top view of Basilicata

Trip to Rotondella... again

This weekend we decided to spend with friends in Rotondella, a small town between Basilicata and Calabria. We have been there several times for eat a rooster cooked in a small restaurant near town.

Since we went with our friends Katya and Antonio, so we decided to stop for the night. To spend weekend away from the home is great, especially with friends)
We arrived at 16:00, left out bags in the hotel and went on the beach  for a walk and watch the sunset. I forgot to say that Katya is not only my friend, but my model) so what were doing and what about our men were chatting we do not know, we were concerned makign a photo shoot!

In general, judging by the photos, our men also had fun)

The evening we spent in bowling, playing and eating pizza and then went to bed.
We spent the night not in the town, and a small agriturismo «Il Pago» next to him. Agriturismo - is a small hotel-restaurant with farm. «Il Pago» - was a very nice place, surrounded by orange trees and vinegroves. In the yard grew huge mimosa and despite January, it was all in bloom. And the smell was absolutely amasing! Why I love agriturismo's - is for unspeakable rustic country atmosphere, for immersion in nature.

Waking up, having breakfast, and collecting things, we went for a walk in the forest near Rotondella. 

I did a romantic photo shoot for Katya and Antonio, we hope to repeat it, when it will be warm weather and I will make a little Love Story for them.

This is the small country restaurant-farm, where we had dinner. 

then we gone for a walk in Rotondella and to take a coffee) 

Exploring Italy - Matera, Basilicata

Today is Sunday, Jan 2, and we didn’t want to stay at home. We decided to make a trip to Matera where we've been going to from long time.

This town is not big and it’s placed in 150 km from Brindisi in Basilicata region. Matera is listed in 1993, in the World Heritage List by UNESCO. World fame was brought to it’s old house-caves, carved directly into the rocks. These rock structures are called the Sassi (Stones). The oldest of them have about 7000 years. In a new caves there are churches, some of which age date to the VI century. In some churches remained intact frescoes dated to the XI-XII century. Many famous directors made their films here, including the film of Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ".

Up to 1950 those caves were habited by people. You will not believe it, but there were lived about 15,000 people, the half of the population of the city! They had no sanitation, and the water was collected in a stone tank during the rain.

Currently, Matera consists of two parts: a modern upper town and a historical low town, which is called Sassi. Going down to the old city, you come like in a different world. Beautiful view of the low town:
This is view of the most ancient rock caves from the low town. They abandoned long time ago and placed on the other side of river.

Here is one of the abandoned house-caves:

Here's another one:

This house is kept intact as a museum. House partially caveted in the rock, partially built. In this small accommodation has lived a family of 11 persons: two adults and 9 children, with all domestic scrap. Animals lived in the same room in the corner.
This is kitchen:
You think, where they all sleept? Adults with one/two of smallest children sleept in the bed.
At night, the bottom drawer dresser and a chest for storage of food were turned into beds.
On this little bed slept another baby:
Matera in miniature:
Piazza del Sedile (Sedile square) in upper town:

After the walk we were hungry and went to find agriturismo, a restaurant-ferm in the nature near the city. This is a magnificent panorama of fields around the town:

We didn’t find agriturismo, but in the neighboring town Altamura we tumble on such a beautiful little restaurant. Many years ago, it was a church. Owner told that it was built in the XV century, but from the original church now you can see only two small frescoes.