Potenza
Potenza (, , ; , Potentino dialect: "Putenz") is a city and "comune" in the Southern Italian region of Basilicata (former Lucania). Capital of the Province of Potenza and the Basilicata region, the city is the highest regional capital and one of the highest provincial capitals in Italy, overlooking the valley of the Basento river in the Apennine Mountains of Lucania, east of Salerno. Its territory is bounded by the comuni of Anzi, Avigliano, Brindisi Montagna, Picerno, Pietragalla, Pignola, Ruoti, Tito and Vaglio Basilicata. History. Ancient times. The first settlement of Potentia (Potenza's original Latin name) was probably located at a lower  elevation than at present, some south of today'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. Middle Ages. In the 6th century, the city passed to the Lombard Duchy of Benevento. Incursions  by Saracens 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 in Potenza, Roger II of Sicily hosted 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 December 18, 1273, an earthquake further devastated the city. Modern age. In the following years of 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. 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. A revolt broke out in 1848 and was again put down by Bourbon forces, until a third devastating earthquake followed in 1857. Potenza rebelled for the last time in 1860, before Garibaldi's revolutionary army brought about the unification of Italy. In September 1943, the city suffered heavy Allied bombing. In 1980, another strong earthquake struck Potenza. Geography. Climate. Potenza experiences a warm-summer Mediterranean climate ("Csb/Cfb" in the Köppen climate classification). Population. Potenza has  a population of 67,122 as of 2015. It is the largest city in Basilicata. Source: Transportation. Road. Potenza is located at the eastern end of the RA5 motorway, a 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, which was originally named Potenza Inferiore, is now known as Potenza Centrale. The nearest airports are: Escalators. With the city centre  situated at the top of a steep hill, escalators provide a form of public transport in Potenza. The largest, Santa Lucia Escalator (), is approximately long and connects Potenza's historic centre with a residential neighbourhood to the west by descending into a valley. Potenza's public escalator network is the largest in Europe and the second largest in the world after Tokyo. International relations. Potenza is twinned with: