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Metaponto Beach - Photo (c) shambllah
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Metaponto, Policoro and the Jonian coast
The Jonian coast, 35 km long stretching from Metaponto to Nova Siri is
completely different to the Tyrrhenian. The last offshoot of the plane which
extends from the low hills of Matera towards the Jonian sea, visitors are
offered a vast coastline of very fine, golden sand and large beaches of sand and
pebbles on the stretch of coast further to the south which faces the Pollino
National Park.
Here in the VIII B.C. the cities of the ‘Megale Hellas’ (Magna
Graecia) were founded and comprised Metaponto, Heraclea (today Policoro), Siris
and Pandosia which hosted personalities like Pythagoras and were the scenes of
terrible battles such as the one fought by Pyrrhus against the Romans.
Signs of this historic past can be found at the archaeological digs in Metaponto
and Policoro and in their very important museums, which have so many exhibits
that, despite the vast show area available, not everything can be displayed.
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The Jonian coast is easily reached by car along the roads through the Basento valley
(SS 407), through Agri (SS 598) and through Sinni (SS 653) which to the north
link up to the A3 Salerno-Reggio Calabria Motorway.
A state railway links up the entire coast. Known as the ‘California del Sud’
(the South California) because of the rich agriculture which has been developed
here, the Metapontina Plain is today the pride and joy of Lucanian local
economy. Enormous quantities of fruit and vegetables which leave from here, are
destined to the rest of Italy and Europe because, thanks to the very mild
climate - on the Jonian coast the warmer season arrives at the end of March and
continues till the beginning of November - the crops ripen one or two months
earlier than that on the plains further North.
Metaponto and Policoro are the two best known towns on the coast. Metaponto, in
the town council of Bernalda, was set up in the sixties as a holiday resort. The
area of the ‘lido’ has been developed between the mouths of the rivers Bradano
and the Basento.
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Its beaches are a favorite spot for many sea-lovers;
nevertheless the ‘Pancratium maritmum’ or sand lily still grows without
bothering too much, adding a note of gentle wildlife to the beaches. Two large
coastal pine woods and rows of eucalyptus fill the air with their scents. An
interesting place to visit is the railway station as it was a fortified farm.
Metaponto Lido today is not only a fully-equipped and comfortable tourist resort
but above all has exceptionally good links with the inland, offering lots of
wonderful excursions in the entire province of Matera, from its valleys with its
gulleys to the woods of its mountains, from the Murgia of Matera to the Sassi
and of course the rest of the Jonian coast. Policoro is a country village which
was developed after the land reform of the 50s. Boasting a wonderful position on
the Jonian coast, it is found right in the hub of that tourism directed for the
lands of the Magna Graecia.
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Magna Grecia - Photo (c)
silva5711
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Its fortunes are closely linked to the events that took place in Siris and
Heraclea, which are wonderfully described in the archaeological park and in the
museum. The coast in front of Policoro is not unlike that of Metaponto: long
stretches of sand, clear blue water and a sea bed which is even deeper here than
at Metaponto. One of the lingering memories long after leaving Policoro is the
perfume of fruit and flowers which permeates the air especially in spring. The
sea water is so clean that these wide beaches, especially in the direction of
the mouth of the river Sinni, are the elected breeding grounds of sea turtles
including the rare ‘Dermochelide’.
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Metaponto Beach - Photo (c)
Dwlwen
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And on the subject of nature, the ‘Bosco Pantano’ (the Pantano Wood) is a must
for a visit. Found at the mouth of the river Sinni, it is reminiscent of the
dense wet forests which only fifty years ago covered the sand dunes almost down
to the sea.
Today, what is left of the forest is a favorite spot for many wild
animals, some migratory and others not. In the midst of such natural beauty the
success of tourism in Policoro is assured.
Even here there is a host of
excursions to choose from and for those who love the sea lessons in sailing as
well as in game fishing can be taken.
Though Metaponto and Policoro are the recognized jewels in the crown of tourism
on the Jonian coast, Nova Siri, situated further to the south of Policoro is
fast catching up. Rotondella, which stretches to the sea, boasts a beautiful and
quiet beach.
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Between Metaponto and Policoro, there are the towns of Lido di
Quaranotto, the Lido di Pisticci and the Lido of Scanzano Jonico. These have
wonderful expanses of fine sand and very comfortable, wide beaches too. Hotel
accommodation is good as well as farm holidays and campsites. Scattered along
the Jonian coast it is possible to find a fine selection of restaurants capable
of satisfying a wide range of tastes. Of course, dishes of the local fare
accompanied with the local wines produced in the Metapontino area are
recommended.
Text courtesy of the
Basilicata Official Tourist Board
(c) 1997-2008 E. Massetti
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