Sopra Potenza

The historic heart of this hilltop town

Over 800 metres above sea level, Potenza is a “vertical city” of ascents and descents that you can easily travel by catching a ride on its record-breaking escalators: the longest in Europe. It is a quiet town, perfect for a slow-paced holiday of relaxation, where you can explore places that feel as though they are suspended in time.

This is the atmosphere that permeates Sopra Potenza (literally, “Above Potenza”), the city’s historic centre, so called because it is the highest point of the entire town. Its elevated position allows you to enjoy breath-taking views.

It is home to some of the most significant reminders of Potenza’s past, including Via Pretoria, the city’s oldest street, which once led to the 16th-century castle, of which only the Guevara Tower remains today. Be sure to visit the 17th-century Palazzo Bonifacio and the Cathedral of San Gerardo, the bell tower of which is the tallest building in Potenza. Don’t miss the elegant Piazza Matteotti, nicknamed “Piazza del Sedile”, where the city’s nobles once gathered to elect their representatives.

Credits: Redshift87