Discovering Forenza, a treasure of folklore, art and rural culture in Basilicata

The Town of Forenza has kept throughout its thousand-year history the connotation and soul of a true medieval village, standing on the top of a hill south-east of Vulture and the Monticchio Lakes as an authentic standard-bearer of the agricultural and pastoral culture of Basilicata.

Visiting Forenza for the first time, it’s easy to be immediately struck by its simple and functional aesthetics, a mosaic of stone-paved alleys, stairways that caress the slopes of the hill, and above all arches, porticos and low houses testimony of a past that still lives today in this village destined to become a new gem of lucanian tourism.

Walking through Forenza it is possible to admire some historic buildings - called Houses - that tell the story of the evolution of the hamlet over time, from the heart of the Middle Ages to the dawn of the Modern Age, such as House Oppido with its peculiar mullioned windows, House Canfora with its loggia and House Tufaroli with its huge portal.

The very heart of Forenza is Piazza Regina Margherita though, once Piazza Castello since it was the location of the ancient town’s keep completely demolished in the 19th century, a true village lounge mixing together simplicity, beauty and a sense of welcome. Enclosed between stone-paved streets and buildings harmoniously discordant for their age, colors and materials, the square is embellished with benches and trees always well-kept and clean on its perimeter, making room in the middle for the solemn monument to the fallen of the wars surmounted by the iconic Vittoria Alata (Winged Victory) that has become a symbol for Forenza, the bronze sculpture created by the Neapolitan master Achille D'Orsi.

From every corner of Piazza Regina Margherita it is possible to see the top of the majestic bell tower of the only, true parish of Forenza, the Church of Saint Nicholas and Santa Maria Santissima, result of the expansion and enrichment of the previous medieval church right next to the square. Inside the church are saved precious works of sacred art, such as the silver bust of Saint Anthony of Padua (Manzone, 1775), the wooden statues “Christ at the Column” and “Ecce Homo” (Brudaglio, 18th century) and some paintings dedicated to Holy Mary by an unknown artist.

But Forenza still has much, much more to offer its visitors, especially those who love to get lost by exploring even the smallest hidden corner, perhaps in search of amazing views to photograph. And this is where street art comes into play, a real attraction within the attraction that, recently, has contributed to the value enhancement of lucanian towns.

Like gems of pure beauty set in a three-dimensional mosaic, alleys, arches and loggias in Forenza are indeed very rich in original works of street art created by local artists, even by using recycled materials such as plastic objects and pieces of glass and ceramics, an initiative born of local ingenuity and creativity with a strong ecological value that gives new life to the village, in a perspective of constant transformation.

The artistic installations that you can admire strolling around Forenza - in particular we recommend Via dell’Anima (Soul’s Alley) with its poetic ceramics, Via delle Radici (Roots Alley) that celebrates the retro beauty of photography, and the wonderful mosaic-gallery of Via Appia - represent intimate expressions, stories of real life, simple and pure art attacks by the artists of Basilicata in a continuous dialogue that unites past, present and future.

Continuing with the exploration of Forenza it’s impossible to miss a visit to the Countryside House, a real house-museum symbol of the rural culture of the territory that hosts one of the most interesting and complete ethnographic collections in Basilicata.

Inside the house-museum, quite a living photograph of the homes of farmers of the village even less than one century ago, the domestic environment of the period is perfectly reconstructed with an exhibition of original furnishings, tools and decorations.

A sort of space-time portal, therefore, testimony of the lucanian rural world carved in the history of this land and its people, a dimension still as vivid as tangible for both citizens and tourists.

Did you know that Forenza in the Middle Ages was one of the most knightly towns in the world? It may seem incredible, but the history of this picturesque village in Basilicata appears inextricably related to the myth and charm of the Templars, some of the most celebrated warriors of all time.

According to the reconstruction of a few historical sources, with the arrival of Normans in the regions of Southern Italy after year 1000, Forenza became fiefdom of the House of Pagani, of French origin, the family of the legendary Hugo de Paganis, recognized by many scholars as the founder and first Master of the Order born to defend the pilgrims and sacred places of Christianity. The theory is supported by further historical evidence, which testifies the strong presence of the knights of the cross in Basilicata in the territory of Forenza, precisely in the stronghold near St. Martin’s Farmhouse.

The legend of Templars in Forenza, after almost a millennium, is still strongly heartfelt and celebrated as a local pride in the so-called "Agosto Forenzese", the summer festival that intertwines culture, history, music, entertainment and sports, uniting citizens and visitors in a magic made of ancient traditions. Every year, on August 16, the festival’s main event is dedicated to the myth of Hugo de Paganis and the Templars with a glorious historical parade counting hundreds of characters in awesome costumes. An unmissable event to revive the charm and mystery of the knights par excellence in such a great setting!

Speaking of religion, with a past so strongly related to the monastic and knightly world, it is no surprise that Forenza hosts one of the most important sanctuaries in the region, rich in wonderful works of sacred art capable of conveying profound spirituality, among the most interesting pilgrimage destinations in Basilicata.

It’s the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Stella and the Church of Santissimo Crocifisso, a religious complex managed by franciscan monks located right south of the urban center of Forenza, open to public worship since the 17th century and today even a welcoming haven for spiritual travelers.

The Sanctuary houses masterpieces such as the canvas of “Santa Maria della Stella” (Federici), placed on a carved altar, as well as the delicate statues dedicated to Addolorata and St. Francis, and between them the outstanding and wonderful Crucifix made in oak wood (Fra Angelo da Pietrafitta, 17th century), famous and appreciated for its unique and intense expressiveness. On the back of the main altar there are other notable paintings, all by Borremans, such as “Flagellation” and “Crowning with Thorns”, while the art gallery hall displays works such as “The Wedding at Cana” (Federici) and “The Communion of the Apostles” (Guarino).

In addition to the Sanctuary, in the non-urban area of the Town of Forenza it is possible to visit two other truly picturesque places of religious inspiration. The first, west of the town, is the evocative Church of Santa Maria degli Armeni, today a fascinating ruin that preserves traces of an ancient medieval settlement, as well as the remains of “palmenti”, ancient tuff tanks for processing grapes and collecting must. The second, instead, south towards Acerenza, is the location Reddito degli Angeli, where stands a complex of caves and the ruins of the medieval Church of San Biagio.

West of Forenza, the landscape is dominated by the majestic Bosco Grande, a heart of lush and wild nature that attracts especially hikers and foliage and botany enthusiasts. With over 4,000 hectares of surface, Bosco Grande is one of the largest forest heritages in Basilicata, where oaks, symbol of longevity, find fertile ground.

Although the forest is extremely varied and fascinating throughout the year, the arrival of spring inevitably represents the most spectacular time to take a walk through the silence and greenery in the shadow of the oaks, with a rich undergrowth of bright colors, such as those of daffodils, snowdrops, and orchids. In autumn, the paths of Bosco Grande are populated by hunters of mushrooms and truffles.

The territory of the forest is also dotted with rural fountains, iconic natural and cultural resources of the Town of Forenza, symbol of an ancient countryside civilization that has always lived in close touch with the surrounding nature. A natural landscape that, thus, today shares some space with modernity: around Forenza in fact stands the first wind farm in Basilicata, a sustainability project where new and very tall “mills”, facing the sky, gently caress the lucanian hills transforming the breath of the wind into energy.

For lovers of two wheels and in particular of the adrenaline-filled motocross, among the hills to the south between Forenza and Bosco Grande there is the unmissable Cross Racetrack, a dirt track full of curves and natural slopes for exciting races and breathtaking stunts. All this, pampered by the wind of the Apennines, by the colors and scents of the immense greenery surrounding the territory of a village that, despite its heavy historical and cultural identity rooted in the Middle Ages, today can still surprise and satisfy the most demanding tourists with small, big jewels of modernity to be experienced.

Forenza is located more than 800 meters above sea level in the hills of the Lucanian Apennines, in North Basilicata and more precisely in the province of Potenza.

The most convenient way to reach Forenza, and in general to travel on the road in Basilicata, is by car. It is possible to get to Forenza by car leaving from Naples and Bari by undertaking the A16 highway with exit at Candela, direction Melfi, continuing towards Lavello following all the signs up to destination. Starting from the capital of Apulia, main tourist hub for visiting Basilicata, you can also opt for the A14 highway with exit at Cerignola, direction Lavello, then continuing up to your destination.

Traveling from Potenza it is advisable to go for the SS658 highway, while from Matera you can drive along the SS655 highway.

In a land so deeply bound to its territory, its cultural identity, its history and its traditions, Forenza is undoubtedly the best village that perfectly embodies all the authentic values of lucanity, taking on the role of that thin thread that skillfully unites past with future, tradition with innovation, memories - celebrated through art - with the intentions, absolutely real and not visionary, to start a new fantastic chapter of rediscovery of unique places and emotions, just like Basilicata.

And if for many, including Italians, over time this beautiful southern region has become "only" synonymous with Matera, maybe it’s time to pack your bags and get ready for a new, beautiful Italian adventure discovering a wonderful hidden gem. Forenza awaits you!