Viggianello is an ancient village in the Province of Potenza with ancient origins, surrounded by unspoilt natural landscapes of rare beauty. Included among the most beautiful villages in Italy, it is the ideal destination for those who dream of a stay amidst art and nature, history and outdoor activities, in the suggestive and wild setting that is the entire Pollino area, of which Viggianello is a part.
Far from the circuits of mass tourism, yet known and frequented by lovers of authentic lands, this town offers unforgettable experiences that show travellers the true heart of Basilicata.
Viggianello
Viggianello is a village in the province of Potenza, located on the border between Basilicata and Calabria, within the Pollino National Park (Italy's largest nature reserve). Its geographical position is rich in charm: The small town rises 500 metres above sea level and is perched on a spur of rock in a mostly hilly terrain. Completely immersed in the green of the surrounding nature, which in spring is coloured by the yellow of broom, it overlooks the entire Mercurion area, a geographical area marked by the river Mercure (an important water resource that also flows through Viggianello, which is why it is called Borgo dell'Acqua), which in ancient times was home to Greek monks of the Basilian cult, whose small churches and votive chapels, although some are now ruins, still show traces of that distant past. The origins of its name are shrouded in legend: it is said that a barbarian queen lost her ring in the Mercure river, one of her followers managed to find it and exclaimed "Vidi anello!": the happy queen named the village 'Vidianello'. Probably chosen by the Romans as a stronghold, it was later inhabited not only by Basilian monks in the 9th century, but also by Lombards, Byzantines and, later, Normans, who gave new impetus to the construction of the village and built the castle with its square-plan tower, which in the Swabian period took on the appearance of the classic Frederician castles. During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the village continued to be inhabited (as a fief), until it became an autonomous municipality in modern times. Still today, when visiting Viggianello, it is possible to lose oneself in the historical eras that have succeeded one another and that emerge in the narrow streets and squares, between modernity and tradition, making this village one of the most characteristic destinations in Basilicata.
Viggianello has an ancient and deep-rooted gastronomic tradition that will delight those who love the intense flavours of tradition, obtained according to old peasant methods and recipes. A prominent place in the local cuisine is occupied by cereals, pulses and vegetables. Try the Minestra 'mpsstata (soup 'kneaded' with potatoes and seasonal vegetables), the Rappasciona (a mixture of cereals and pulses) and the Ciambott, made with peppers. Mushrooms are also a typical product, to be used to season first courses or eaten in oil. Those who visit Viggianello should definitely try polenta with sausage sauce and homemade pastas such as 'Rasckatìeddri' (similar to fusilli), 'Kavatìeddi' (small dumplings), 'lagane' with beans or chickpeas, and pasta seasoned with breadcrumbs. Meat is also the basis of many traditional recipes. Not to be missed is 'A scòrza du pùorcu' (pork rind), 'Rummulèddi' (meatballs), lamb with potatoes and tripe with beans. Lastly, the desserts, with simple ingredients and not very elaborate recipes, are still those once prepared, with flavours reminiscent of bygone eras: 'Cannariculi', morsels of fried dough, 'ciciràta' (struffoli), 'crispedde' (sweet staples), and 'rosecatàrr', or 'chiacchiere', typical of carnival to be eaten with 'Sanguinàcciu' or 'Timbàgnu' (black pudding).
The events and appointments in Viggianello all retain a deep connection with the territory and the ancient traditions of the village's original peasant culture. Easter is a very heartfelt festivity and, on Good Friday, the Stations of the Cross are performed in the streets of the village, a representation enriched with (real 'cries' or 'laments') performed with tragic gestures and full of pathos. Among the most characteristic events are the festivities in honour of St Francis of Paola: the first week after Easter and the last week of August. During the festivities, they perform the arboreal rites, ancestral rites that involve the felling of two trees (pitu and rocca, or fir and turkey oak), transported by oxen to the village and then aissato and united in marriage. The celebrations are marked by traditional dances, songs and music. On the third Sunday in August, the Madonna del Carmine is celebrated: during the celebration, the faithful offer the 'cirii' (wooden sheaves covered with wheat, from which an animal is sometimes hung) to the Madonna in a cheerful atmosphere characterised by the ritual of dancing with the scythe. But Viggianello also celebrates local tastes and flavours: from October to November, every weekend is dedicated to tastings of typical dishes during the event 'Il gusto del Pollino' (The taste of Pollino), a festival in which the ancient flavours can be rediscovered amidst music, handicrafts and markets. Finally, it is impossible not to mention the Viggianello Carnival, which for years has been celebrated with parades of floats and masked processions in an atmosphere of festivity and folklore, common to many centres in the Pollino area, which thanks to these events and manifestations still preserve their identity intact.
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