Maratea Pictorial

Maratea is a town and commune of Basilicata, in the province of Potenza. It is the only town in Basilicata on the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is a small mountain town with a huge cross on the mountain top above the town. The historic center is beautiful with two piazze (squares) and many shops and bars and restaurants. This is a town worth walking. Beyond the piazza (square) are many steps that climb up to the church and other parts of town. It is 1,000 feet up from the sea and has 5,200 people living in it.

You can get here by driving (2 hours) on the A3 autostrada south from Salerno. Exit towards Longonegro Nord (north). Follow the SS585 road and then follow signs to Maratea. You can also take a high-speed train from Salerno (or Naples or Rome) south to the beach town of Sapri. Here you will need to rent a car or hire a driver to continue up to Maratea.

The cross

Looking up to the church

Stairs at every turn

Jo Anne and George enjoying lunch

The road narrows to one car in each direction at a time

Controlled by a light

Fountain in the piazza

Narrow streets and passageways everywhere

This is a city to enjoy slowly. Come early as the shops close between 1 and 4. Shop the stores. Stop at a bar for a coffee and cornetto (sweet roll). When the shops close, stop for lunch at a restaurant. Walk the streets and climb the stairs. At every turn you will be rewarded with the beauty and uniqueness of this small romantic town. Vai … vai … (go … go…!).

George & Jo Anne