Muro Lucano
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| Comune di Muro Lucano | |
|---|---|
 Municipal coat of arms |
|
| Country |  Italy |
| Region | Basilicata |
| Province | Potenza (PZ) |
| Elevation | 600 m (1,969 ft) |
| Area | 125 km² (48 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| - Total | 6,108 |
| - Density | 49/km² (127/sq mi) |
| Time zone | CET, UTC+1 |
| Coordinates | |
| Gentilic | Muresi |
| Dialing code | 0976 |
| Postal code | 85054 |
| Frazioni | Capodigiano |
| Patron | St. Gerard Majella |
| - Day | September 2 |
| Website: www.muro-lucano.it | |
Muro Lucano is a town and comune in the province of Potenza, in the region of Basilicata. It is bounded by the comuni of Balvano, Bella, Castelgrande, Colliano (SA), Laviano (SA), Ricigliano (SA), San Fele, San Gregorio Magno (SA).
[edit] History
The town was also the site of a battle between the forces of Hannibal and Marcellus during the second Punic wars.
In 1980 the town was severely damaged by an earthquake, and to this day there are still areas of the village which have not been rebuilt [deserted homes so damaged as to be uninhabitable].
[edit] Main sights
- The Cathedral, perched at the top of the hill in which it is situated. It also has a large statue of St Gerardo, the patron saint of the area, who was said to have performed miracles in Muro Lucano. The statue was donated by Giovanni Zeccola; born in Muro Lucano, but resided in Melbourne, Australia.
- The Norman Castle, in which the Queen of Naples, Joanna of Naples, was killed at the end of the 14th century by order of her adoptive son, Carlo of Durazzo.
The main street in the village is called Via Roma, and has several bars, cafes and shops.
The valley next to Muro Lucano has a new bridge connecting it to the new part of the village. Beneath the bridge and significantly lower in the valley can be seen the old bridge which is extremely old and was recently excavated by a volunteer team of experts. It is small enough to allow a donkey and cart but not motorized vehicles. Many people from Muro Lucano and its environs have migrated to Australia, in particular Mount Gambier, South Ausralia. Common surnames of the immigrants include Cerone, Bianchini, Zaccardo and Discianni.
[edit] Dialect
The town also has a dialect called Murese. This dialect is exclusive to the town and is often intelligible to Italian speakers. It is believed to have originated from the Oscan language.
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