Equituristica

Three days on horseback in the heart of the Vulture

In Atella, a small village in the province of Potenza nestled between Mount Vulture and the Ofanto valley, spring brings a festival that smells of hay, leather, and earth: Equituristica. For three days, the Piana di Carda district, in the so-called Horse Valley, becomes the meeting point for equestrian tourism enthusiasts from all over Italy and abroad.

Horse archers and brigands' trails

The heart of the festival is the relationship between man and horse. Competitions of archery on horseback and on foot, equestrian demonstrations, and skill tests alternate, with the participation of archers and riders from Hungary, Greece, and various Italian regions. There is also a horseback excursion on the brigands' trails that cross the Vulture territory, an authentic way to discover Lucanian woods and hills at the slow pace of hooves.

Conferences, transhumance, and rural tourism

Equituristica is not just spectacle: it is also a moment for reflection on the future of inland areas. Conferences are held dedicated to equestrian tourism, equestrian paths, transhumance, and rural tourism, with the involvement of UNPLI Basilicata and the local Pro Loco associations, as well as veterinary seminars on horse health. In recent years, the event has strengthened the network between associations and institutions, focusing on transhumance, walking paths, and slow tourism as a lever for development in the Vulture area.

An event to experience

Amidst colorful saddle cloths, the smell of stables, and tales of ancient crafts, Equituristica restores the sense of a rural and welcoming Basilicata. It is the ideal opportunity for those who love horses, nature, and peasant traditions to discover a corner of the Vulture far from the routes of mass tourism.