The poetic verses of Levi echo amidst the impressive and picturesque hills of the Calanchi as if time had not scratched its magnificence.
  • Travelling time: 6 hours
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Why we love it: because you are surrounded by nature
  • Length: 2 km
  • Total Elevation Gain: 30 m
  • Way to travel: On foot
  • Cost: 0
  • Our Advice: Spring and autumn are the ideal seasons to go this route in the nature
Calanchi and beautiful hills near Matera, Basilicata, Italy
Calanchi and beautiful hills near Aliano, Matera, Basilicata, Italy, ph. by Silvia Capuzzello

Surrounded by nature

Departure from the country of Aliano, in the province of Matera, a town in medieval style, with red brick buildings perched on the edge of a cliff.

Aliano is 94 km far from Matera and 83 km from Potenza.

Trekking, in about 15 minutes, you can admire the stunning lunar landscape of gullies: imposing and impressive clay hills shaped by wind and rain.

Calanchi in Aliano, Matera, Basilicata, Italy
Calanchi in Aliano, Matera, ph. by Silvia Cappuzzello

 

 

Continuing on the dirt trail hiking Parco dei Calanchi with several differences in level, we appreciate the view of the green hills and pristine. On the way along about 2 km and easy to follow, you can come into contact with native species of flora and fauna.

House with eye, Aliano, Matera, Basilicata
House with eye, Aliano, Matera, Basilicata

Facing a steep climb you will arrive in Piazza Garibaldi known for the presence of the characteristic "House with eye".

Continuing on foot you get in via Martiri of Hungary 1 where you can visit Carlo Levi's House, writer and painter from Turin in 1935 confined to Aliano and known to the public for his work "Christ Stopped at Eboli". Observing the landscape from the veranda of Levi gets the impression that time has stopped in the days of his confinement, it reads like the pages of Christ.

Christ Stopped at Eboli, Aliano, Matera, Basilicata
Christ Stopped at Eboli, Aliano, Matera, Basilicata, ph. by Silvia Capuzzello

 

 

Aliano, old woman, Basilicata, Italy
Aliano, old woman, Basilicata, Italy, ph. by Silvia Capuzzello

 

 

Prehistoric shelters in the mountains, Aliano, Basilicata, South Italy
Prehistoric shelters in the mountains, Aliano, Basilicata, ph. by Silvia Capuzzello

Overall it needs about 5-6 hours to complete the route.

Author: Silvia Cappuzzello

Contest "Share your green adventure"

Cover: Aliano, Matera, Italy ph. by Alessandro, via Flickr

Eco-friendly accommodations

L'Albero di Eliana b&b nei Sassi

Matera (Basilicata)

Starting from €65.00

Villa in oliveto sulla Gravina

Matera (Basilicata)

Starting from €70.00

B&B La Pecora Nera Matera

Matera (Basilicata)

Starting from €50.00

Sextantio - Le Grotte della Civita

Matera (Basilicata)

Starting from €170.00

Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita

Province of Matera (Basilicata)

Starting from €170.00

Casa vacanze-RupeSuiSassi a Matera

Province of Matera (Basilicata)

Starting from €140.00

Dimora Spine Bianche Matera

Province of Matera (Basilicata)

Starting from €90.00