Maratea
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 29 October 2023
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The town of Maratea is situated on the Tyrrhenian Coast in the Province of Potenza. It has a population of 5,045 inhabitants and is located around 127 kilometres south of Potenza, the regional capital of Basilicata.
Maratea offers a quite unique range of sites; the main residential area is a hill town, a few kilometres in from the coast, while it can also boast a beautiful port area as well as one of the most iconic sights in the region, the Statue of Christ the Redeemer which sits on a hill top overlooking the town. |
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Sightseeing Maratea: the centro storico
The centrepiece of the colourful centro storico (historic centre) is Piazza Buraglia with its open-air cafes, restaurants and gelaterias, while the remainder of the hill town area consists of narrow streets concealing fascinating churches and a good variety of shops.
Fans of contemporary Italian cinema should keep an eye out for the 2010 film Basilicata Coast to Coast; the story follows a rag-tag group of friends who decide to traverse the region from the Tyrrhenian Coast to the Ionian Coast, and their starting point is indeed Piazza Buraglia which appears in numerous of the film's scenes.
Fans of contemporary Italian cinema should keep an eye out for the 2010 film Basilicata Coast to Coast; the story follows a rag-tag group of friends who decide to traverse the region from the Tyrrhenian Coast to the Ionian Coast, and their starting point is indeed Piazza Buraglia which appears in numerous of the film's scenes.
Statua del Redentore
The most instantly-recognisable sight in Maratea is La Statua del Cristo Redentore, ("Statue of Christ the Redeemer" in English). It's more than a mere statue however; it's located around a 6 kilometre drive from the historic centre, a journey which takes around 13 minutes climbing the numerous hairpin bends that lead to the mountain-top.
The final stretch of road is not for the faint-hearted; a modern structure of curving road that seems almost suspended in mid-air but is obviously more than up to the task. Once you scale this final part of the road you reach a car parking area from which it's a 5 minute walk to the statue itself; passing a mini-village area with a church, souvenir shops and refreshment vendors.
The views once you reach the statue are some of the best you can find in Basilicata; looking down on to the picturesque coastline on one side and to the rugged interior on the other.
The final stretch of road is not for the faint-hearted; a modern structure of curving road that seems almost suspended in mid-air but is obviously more than up to the task. Once you scale this final part of the road you reach a car parking area from which it's a 5 minute walk to the statue itself; passing a mini-village area with a church, souvenir shops and refreshment vendors.
The views once you reach the statue are some of the best you can find in Basilicata; looking down on to the picturesque coastline on one side and to the rugged interior on the other.
Maratea port
Another important part of Maratea is its port area. This is roughly the same distance and journey time from the hill town as it is to the statue area: 6 kilometres and 13 minutes by car. The port area glistens with azure water in its marina which is full of elegant yachts.
The area is home to a number of great restaurants which all enjoy the beautiful seaside views. A good amount of car-parking spaces are available at the port although charges can be quite high and spaces are at a premium during the summer.
The area is home to a number of great restaurants which all enjoy the beautiful seaside views. A good amount of car-parking spaces are available at the port although charges can be quite high and spaces are at a premium during the summer.
The beaches of Maratea
Aside from the hill town, the port and the area around La Statua del Cristo Redentore, Maratea is home to a number of beaches. The beaches are to be found either side of the hill town and include one area called Marina di Maratea which has its own train station, and is not to be confused with the port which is slightly further north along the coastal road. The main train station for the town, simply called "Stazione di Maratea", occupies the area between Maratea Port and the hill town.
Comune di Maratea
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Province: Potenza
Region: Basilicata Population: 4,837 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2022) Size: 67 km² Elevation: 0-300 metres Highlights: Redentore, Maratea Port, hill town Water quality: Blue Flag Beach 2021 - 2022 Close by: Acquafredda, Rivello, Lagonegro, Lauria, Latronico Recommended accommodation: Hotel Murmann |
