Marsico Nuovo

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Marsico Nuovo is a city of the province of Potenza in the Basilicata, Southern Italy, situated on the Agri river. It has around 5,000 residents. Its residents are known as Marsicani, whose patron saint is San Gianuario. A large feast in his name occurs on August 26.

[edit] History

The city's origins are obscure, but, after the destruction by the Saracens of the ancient Grumentum, the town grew in importance, and became the seat of a county under the Normans (11th century). Its most famous count was Sylvester. It became an episcopal seat, when Bishop Grimaldo of Grumentum established his residence there, retaining, however, his former title. There were bishops of Grumentum as early as the sixth century: it is said that a Saint Laberius or Saverius first preached the Gospel there. Other bishops were Enrico (1131), who finished the cathedral; Blessed Reginaldo of Viperno, a Dominican (1275); Pietro (1329), several times papal legate; the friar Paolo Caselli (1614), who restored the cathedral. In 1818 the diocese was united oeque principaliter to that of Potenza.

[edit] Sources

This article incorporates text from the public-domain Catholic Encyclopedia of 1913.


Coordinates: 40°25′N, 15°44′E