11 Facts About Maratea

Maratea is an Italian town and comune of Basilicata, in the province of Potenza.

Maratea is the only town of Basilicata on the Tyrrhenian Sea.

One of the main characteristics of Maratea is the variety of its landscapes, varying from breath-taking sea views to wooded hillsides and majestic mountains which sweep down to the sea creating steep cliffs.

Maratea has a small harbour, which can accommodate up to 200 boats.

When Napoleon Bonaparte proclaimed himself King of Naples, Maratea was one of the few cities which did not accept French supremacy.

Related searches

However, at this time Maratea suffered extreme poverty, in common with the rest of Basilicata.

Many of its inhabitants emigrated to the United States or to Venezuela, and with their economic help Maratea was connected to the railway network in 1894, built its first aqueduct in 1902, had electrical connection from 1924, and tarred roads connected the Old Town with the outlying districts on the coast in 1930.

Statue of Christ the Redeemer, or the Christ of Maratea, was built of pure Carrara marble in 1965 by Bruno Innocenti, a sculptor from Florence.

Maratea is called the town with 44 churches for the number of its churches and chapels.

Maratea's territory is home to six coastal watchtowers, dating to the 16th-17th centuries.

Maratea has two urban areas: one is located on the top of the mount San Biagio, called Castello; the other one is called Borgo, situated on the north hillside of the same mountain.