Potenza

Ancient times

The first settlement of Potentia (Potenza's original Latin name) was probably located at a lower elevation than at present, some 10 kilometres (6 miles) south of mdoern-day's Potenza. The Lucanians of Potentia sided against Rome's enemies during the latter's wars against the Samnites and the Bruttii. Subjugated during the 4th century BC (later gaining the status of municipium), the Potentini rebelled after the Roman defeat at Cannae in 216 BC; however, the Battle of the Metaurus marked the end of any Carthaginian aspirations in Italy and Potentia was reconquered by the Romans and reduced to the status of military colony.^[8]

Middle Ages

In the 6th century, the city passed to the Duchy of Benevento, which was ruled by the Lombards. Incursions by Saracen raiders menaced the city until the Norman conquest of southern Italy secured the area. In the 12th century, Potenza became an episcopal see. In 1137, the city hosted Pope Innocent II and Emperor Lothair II during their failed attempt to conquer the Norman kingdom. In 1148 or 1149, Roger II of Sicily was in Potenza to host King Louis VII of France, whom the Norman fleet had freed from the Saracens. After pillaging by Emperor Frederick II, the city remained loyal to the Hohenstaufen; as a result, it was almost totally destroyed by Charles I when the Angevin lord conquered the Kingdom of Sicily. On 18 December 1273, an earthquake further devastated the city.^[8]

Modern age

In the following years of the Late Middle Ages, the city was owned by various feudal families before the Spanish domination, during which Potenza was the site of riots against the Spaniards. In 1694, it was almost completely destroyed by another earthquake, known as the 1694 Irpinia–Basilicata earthquake.^[8]

With the declaration of the Neapolitan Republic in 1799, Potenza was one of the first cities to rebel against the king. After temporary Bourbon repression, the city was conquered by the French army in 1806 and declared the capital of Basilicata. King Joachim Murat improved the city's living conditions and administration, while some urban improvements were also introduced for the visit of Ferdinand II in 1846.^[8]

A revolt broke out in 1848 and was again put down by Bourbon forces, until a third devastating earthquake (known as the 1857 Basilicata earthquake) followed in 1857. Potenza rebelled for the last time in 1860, before Giuseppe Garibaldi's revolutionary army brought about the unification of Italy.^[8] In September 1943, the city suffered heavy Allied bombing. In 1980, another strong earthquake (known as the 1980 Irpinia earthquake) struck Potenza.^[9]

Immigration

As of 2025, of the known countries of birth of 63,282 residents, the most numerous are: Italy (60,898 – 96.2%), Romania (395 – 0.6%).^[17][18]

Road

Potenza is located at the eastern end of the RA5 motorway, a 50 km (31 mi) branch from the A2 motorway.

Rail

Potenza is a rail junction on the main line from Salerno to Taranto, managed by FS Trenitalia. It has also a connection to Altamura and its own small metropolitan railway service, served by the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane regional company. The city's main station, originally named Potenza Inferiore, is known as Potenza Centrale.^{[citation needed]}

The nearest airports are:

• Salerno-Pontecagnano QSR 85 km (53 mi)
• Foggia-Gino Lisa FOG 101 km (63 mi)
• Bari-Palese BRI 130 km (81 mi)

Escalators

With the city centre situated at the top of a steep hill, escalators provide a form of public transport in Potenza. The largest is Santa Lucia Escalators (Italian: Scale Mobili Santa Lucia), which is approximately 500 m (1,600 ft) long and connects Potenza's historic centre with a residential neighbourhood to the west by descending 100 m (330 ft) into a valley. Potenza's public escalator network is the largest in Europe and the second largest in the world after Tokyo.^[20]

Twin towns and sister cities

Potenza is twinned with:

• Amatrice, Italy
• Denver, United States
• Focșani, Romania
• Osuna, Spain
• Tunja, Colombia