Tursi
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| Comune di Tursi | |
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 Municipal coat of arms |
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| Country |  Italy |
| Region | Basilicata |
| Province | Matera (MT) |
| Elevation | 243 m (797 ft) |
| Area | 156 km² (60 sq mi) |
| Population (as of 2004-12-31) | |
| - Total | 5,390 |
| - Density | 35/km² (91/sq mi) |
| Time zone | CET, UTC+1 |
| Coordinates | |
| Gentilic | Tursitani |
| Dialing code | 0835 |
| Postal code | 75028 |
| Frazioni | Panevino, Caprarico |
| Patron | St. Philip Neri |
| - Day | May 26 |
| Website: www.comune.tursi.mt.it | |
Tursi (Greek: Thyrsoi) is a town and comune in the province of Matera, in the southern Italian region of Basilicata.
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[edit] History
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In the 9th century it was a stronghold of the Saracens in southern Italy.
A Catholic bishop resided in the frazione of Anglona until 968
[edit] Main sights
[edit] Sanctuary of Anglona
The main attraction of Tursi is the Sanctuary of St. Mary of Anglona, a national monument. It is located on a hill at 263 m above the sea level, and was built from the 11th-12th centuries by enlarging a pre-existing small church (7th-8th centuries). It is a tuff and travertine construction, particularly notable for the external decoration of the apse, with numerous small arches, sculpted panels and a large central window flanked by small columns. The narthex of the entrance has a portal with reliefs with the lamb, symbols of the four Evangelists and other symbolic figures. The bell tower is in Romanesque style
The church is on the Latin cross plan, with a nave and two aisles separated by five arcades in different styles. Traces of the 14th century frescoes with Scenes of the Old and Testament have been recently restored.
[edit] Others
The ancient burgh of Rabatana has the remaines of a castle built in the 5th century by the Ostrogoths. Also there is the church of Santa Maria Maggiore (10th-11th centuries). Mostly remade in Baroque style, it has maintained the 15th century façade. the interior has a nave and two aisles, and is home to a precious 14th century triptych portraying the Virgin Enthroned with Child and Scenes of the Life of Jesus, attributed to Giotto's school.
The Cathedral is from the 15th-16th centuries.
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