Things to see in Pietrapertosa

Pietrapertosa is a scenic town nestled into the Lucano Dolomites in the Basilicata region overlooking the city of Castelmezzano.

Pietrapertosa is a small mountain town south-east of the regional capital of Basilicata at 1088 meters above sea level. It is inside the Park of Gallipoli Cognato and the Little Lucanian Dolomites and is surrounded by sandstone rocks with fantastic shapes.

Pietrapertosa's Saracen fortress acquired importance with the Normans. In the 17th century it was a feud of the Carafa and later of other feudal lords.

The film An almost perfect country was shot in Pietrapertosa and Castelmezzano in 2016. Pietrapertosa and Castelmezzano are two of the most beautiful villages in Italy.

Chapel of Purgatory, Via Nazionale. In a small chapel there is a 17th century wooden sculpture depicting the Madonna with the child in her arms. The exterior features a stone portal and above a square window with a small hanging bell. It was built by vote by a debt collector belonging to the Zottarelli family.

Chapel of San Cataldo (at the foot of the Norman-Swabian castle). A small 12th-century sacred building, built in red brick with a gable roof. Inside it is possible to admire the painting of the "Madonna della vita" and the busts of San Giacomo and San Cataldo. On May 10, the day of the feast of San Cataldo, the church comes alive with songs and prayers when the statues of the saints are carried in procession from the Mother Church and on Ascension Day when they return, through the streets of the Arabata, to the church.

Norman-Swabian Castle. What was once the fortress of King Bomar became the Norman-Swabian castle, dominating from the top of the rocks. In its ruins, even today at a distance of centuries, you can admire the "Queen's Throne" dug into the stone which is accessed by means of a steep but well-preserved ladder.