Welcome
A small house in the old town
In the ancient heart of Tricarico, a few steps from the house of Rocco Scotellaro, Domus Rosae is a small house in the old town, meant for anyone who wants to experience the village from close up: stone alleys, old architecture and the quiet rhythm of southern Italian village life.
The house sits in a particularly convenient spot for exploring the old town on foot. The Church of Sant'Angelo stands directly opposite; a few metres away is the Santa Chiara complex, home to the Chapel of the Crucifix, with frescoes painted in 1611 by the Lucanian artist Pietro Antonio Ferro.
It is a simple, welcoming place where the atmosphere of the old houses of Basilicata is still intact — the original character of the house preserved, with everything added that makes a stay comfortable. It suits families and small groups, people who come to Tricarico to discover its history and traditions, or simply to spend a few unhurried days away from the rush.
The house
All on one floor, with its original details
Domus Rosae is laid out entirely on one floor and keeps several original features that tell its history. Among them are the distinctive brick-and-cream chequered floors, found in several rooms of the house: a detail that has become the mark of the building and the inspiration for our logo.
The kitchen
The entrance leads into an eat-in kitchen, a practical and bright space with an extendable table, induction hob, oven and coffee machine — made both for a quiet breakfast and for sharing a meal together.
The living room
This is the room for unwinding: the pellet stove, the TV and a comfortable double sofa bed, which turns the space into an extra sleeping area.
The sleeping area
Two bedrooms and a bathroom with a shower cabin and washing machine. A small balcony looks over the rooftops of the village, while the French window opens directly onto the stone alley.
Sleeps six
Made for families and small groups
- 1Three-quarter bedBedroom
- 2Bunk bed with a pull-out third berthBedroom
- 3Double sofa bedLiving room
The bedrooms are compact, as is natural in the houses of an old town, where the rooms follow the structure of the original buildings. This is a house to live in simply: you sleep well, you gather together and, above all, you go out — into the village, through the alleys and the squares, at the slow pace of Tricarico.
- Eat-in kitchen
- Induction hob
- Oven
- Coffee machine
- Extendable table
- Pellet stove
- Air conditioning
- TV
- Washing machine
- Shower cabin
- Balcony
The rooms
The house, room by room
The story
This was Rosa's house
The name has stayed, now that it is her grandson who welcomes guests. Some of the objects have stayed too and, above all, the memories of an everyday life made of simple gestures, family traditions and things prepared at home.
Among those memories are the nougat, the snow granita and the homemade liqueurs: preparations tied to the seasons, to feast days and to the occasions when the family gathered.
The nougat
Usually made at Christmas, with almonds and sugar.
Snow granita
In winter, when it snowed, the snow gathered from the little balcony became a simple granita.
The liqueurs
Sour cherry, cooked wine and coffee — to offer to guests and to keep for special occasions.
They are moments that belong to the history of the family, and they are still part of the atmosphere of Domus Rosae.
Tricarico
A village built along the ridge
Tricarico is a village with a long, layered history, built over the centuries along the ridge above the Basento valley. The first documented records date from the 9th century, but the surrounding area holds traces of far older settlements, going back to pre-Roman times.
What makes Tricarico distinctive is above all the structure of its old town. Between the 9th and 10th centuries the Arab presence left a mark still recognisable today in the Ràbata and Saracena quarters: narrow alleys, irregular routes, arches and small houses that recall the layout of fortified Islamic settlements. Under the Byzantines and then the Normans the village grew further, giving rise to the Monte, Piano and Civita quarters, laid out on a different and more regular plan.
The village is dominated by the Norman Tower, one of the symbols of Tricarico, about 27 metres high and part of the old fortified system. Around the tower, over the centuries, grew the castle, the Ducal Palace and the other buildings that still define the old town.
Tricarico is also deeply connected to twentieth-century Italian culture through Rocco Scotellaro, the poet and writer born here in 1923 who became the village's mayor after the Second World War. His birthplace is a few steps from Domus Rosae, and his bond with Tricarico is still visible in its places, its streets and the cultural life of the old town.
Another thing that sets Tricarico apart is its Carnival, built around the masks of the cow and the bull and the re-enactment of the herd on its seasonal migration. The tradition is still keenly felt and forms part of the cultural heritage and identity of the village.
To see in Tricarico
A few minutes on foot from Domus Rosae:
- Rocco Scotellaro's birthplace
- The Norman Tower
- The Ràbata quarter
- The Saracena quarter and Porta Saracena
- Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
- Ducal Palace and Archaeological Museum
- Church and convent of San Francesco
- Church of Santa Chiara
The old town is compact and lends itself to being explored on foot, following alleys, doorways, arches and glimpses that speak of the different ages of the town.
Nearby
Tricarico also makes a good base for other places in Basilicata:
- Matera
- Irsina
- The Lucanian Dolomites and Castelmezzano
- Gallipoli Cognato park
- Craco
- The Murgia Materana
Practical information
Getting here and where to park
- Parking
- If you arrive by car, the most convenient parking is the square by the Norman Tower, a short walk from the house.
- In the village
- The old town is walkable. The Church of Sant'Angelo stands opposite the house.
- CIN code
- IT077028C205653001
Book
We look forward to seeing you
To check availability and book Domus Rosae you can find us on Airbnb. For questions, particular requests, groups or longer stays, write to us directly: we will answer personally and help you plan your stay and get to know the house and Tricarico.
- Phone
- +39 375 576 2190
- Where we are
- Via Frascati 10, 75019 Tricarico (MT), Italy