Venosa is a small town in southern Italy that quietly holds an outsized place in the country’s history and cultural heritage. Located in the northern part of the Basilicata region, it sits roughly halfway between Potenza and Foggia, with the latter being the larger and better-connected city. The town is situated at approximately 400 meters above sea level and set within a landscape of gentle hills, olive groves, and vineyards that mirror its rich agricultural heritage.

The name Venosa is thought to derive from the Latin Venusia, possibly linked to Venus, the Roman goddess of love, though some suggest it may refer to the Latin word venenum, meaning “poison,” because of a nearby poisonous spring. Regardless of its etymology, Venosa truly goes a long way back in time, as it was founded in 291 BC by the Romans as a Latin colony following their victory over the Samnites; over the centuries, it grew into an important Roman municipium and later became a key point along the Via Appia, the ancient road connecting Rome to Brindisi.