Icarus Flight in Baragiano: the giant swing over the ravine
In Basilicata, you can swing suspended 100 meters above the ground, choosing from three experiences with increasing adrenaline.
In Baragiano, Potenza province, you'll find Europe's largest giant swing. You can swing suspended in the air from the old town's hill viewpoint.
You can choose from three levels of increasing intensity.
The Dragonfly Flight costs 5 euros: it's the basic mode. The seat is lifted backward to 5 meters high before release. This mode lets you enjoy the view calmly because the swing is gentle.
The Phoenix Flight costs 10 euros: it's the intermediate one (10 meters). Passengers are launched forward with more force. It's designed for those seeking more thrills.
The Icarus Flight costs 15 euros and offers an extreme experience. Passengers are harnessed and lifted backward up to 18 meters.
The basic version suits kids from 8 years old.
In any case, you remain floating in the gorge, suspended 100 meters above the ground. So, before the launch, I decided to leave my phone and glasses in the locker provided by the staff.
Our experience
The flight is thrilling, but I found the launch prep exciting too: the harness, being lifted to the highest point, and then the void under your feet. That's when your heart races. But once you swing over the ravine, fear turns into pure fun.
If you're near Potenza, I recommend visiting the attraction: Il Belvedere di Baragiano offers a stunning rocky view of the Marmo Platano valley and lets you swing over the cliff.
It's best to arrive by car. The Baragiano train station is down in the valley.
To reach the town's historic center (about 6 km), there are public buses, but only in the afternoon (departures at 13:55, 14:55, and 17:15 - ticket costs 1.20).
If you plan your flight after 14:00, there are no buses back to the station. For the return, you could use a taxi (Radio Taxi Potenza +39 0971 1771) or NCC (Autoservizi NCC Basilicata +39 329 159 5789), but they require advance booking.
We went by car and split the day in two: in the morning, we tried the swing, and in the afternoon, we visited the Archeoparco del Basileus. This way, we also learned about Baragiano's history and its surroundings.
The Archeoparco is an open-air path dedicated to local history and archaeology. Along the path, there are various stops with reconstructions and installations that tell the story of the area's ancient inhabitants. Among these are a large helmet-shaped gate, the burial of the Lady of the Perfumed Oils, and that of the Basileus, the warrior prince who gives the park its name.
In the end, what seemed like just a thrilling attraction turned into a well-rounded day: from the thrill of the flight to discovering Baragiano's history, every family member found something interesting. If you're looking for an experience that combines adrenaline and culture, the swing-Archeoparco combo is a winning pair not to miss.
