Montescaglioso

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Comune di Montescaglioso
Picture of Montescaglioso
Coat of arms of Comune di Montescaglioso
Municipal coat of arms

Location of Montescaglioso in Italy
Country Flag of Italy Italy
Region Basilicata
Province Matera (MT)
Mayor Mario Venezia
Elevation 365 m (1,198 ft)
Area 173 km² (67 sq mi)
Population (as of May 31, 2007)
 - Total 10,130
 - Density 59/km² (153/sq mi)
Time zone CET, UTC+1
Coordinates 40°33′N, 16°40′E
Gentilic Montesi
Dialing code 0835
Postal code 75024
Patron Saint Roch
 - Day August 20
Website: Official website

Montescaglioso is a town and comune in the Province of Matera, southern Italy.

The economy is mostly based on agriculture, including production of renowned oil and wine, as well as traditional food.

Historically, it was the centre of a county in the Norman Kingdom of Sicily.

Bell tower and cloister of the Montescaglioso Abbey.
Bell tower and cloister of the Montescaglioso Abbey.

Contents

[edit] History

First settlements in the area date from the 7th century BC, belonging to the Apuli Italic tribe. The original nucleus of Montescaglioso grew substantially in the following centuries, thanks to the trades with the nearby Greek town of Metaponto. when the latter decayed in Roman times, Montescaglioso further increased of importance. Archaeological findings include a large tuff wall dating from the 3rd century BC.

After the decandence of the Westner Roman Empire, Montescaglioso is mentioned first only in the early medieval times. A Byzantine stronghold, it was captured by the Normans after the year 1000 and housed an important Benedictine community. Under the Angevine and Aragonese dynasties of the Kingdom of Naples, it belonged in sequence to the D'Avalos, Orsini, Loffredo, Grillo and Cattaneo feudal families.

[edit] Main sights

  • Benedictine Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo, existing at least from 1078 and probably built in the 5th century. The Norman lord Humphrey of Hauteville and his son Rudolph made large donations to the abbey, which flourished until the 15th century. Afterwards it decayed due to numerous wars ravaging the country in those years. The Abbey Church (12th century), entitled to St. Michael, has a notable portal and a Norman-style bell tower with mullioned windows. Renewed starting from 1590, it received a cylindrical cupola in 1650.
  • Mother Church (1776), rebuilt in late Baroque style over a pre-existing medieval structure. In the aisles are four canvasses by Mattia Preti. There is also a 15th century panel of the Madonna with Child.
  • Church of St. Stephen (11th century)
  • Church of St. Lucy (11th century)
  • Church of Madonna della Muova (11th century) and Madonna delle Grazie (1065).
  • 16th centuries churches of St. Roch, St. Augustin, Santa Maria del Vetrano.

[edit] See also

[edit] Galleria fotografica

Capitello Abbazia

Primo Chiostro dell'Abbazia

Veduta Giardino dell'Abbazia

Cena in casa di Simone del Mattia Preti

The old Castle

[edit] External links



Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
v • d • e
Basilicata · Comuni of the Province of Matera
Basilicata Province of Matera
 This Basilicata location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.