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
devastating earthquake
1857 Basilicata earthquake
Potenza