Muro Lucano
| Muro Lucano | ||
|---|---|---|
| Comune | ||
| Comune di Muro Lucano | ||
 | ||
| ||
  Muro Lucano | ||
| Coordinates: 40°45′N 15°29′E / 40.750°N 15.483°E | ||
| Country | Italy | |
| Region | Basilicata | |
| Province | Potenza (PZ) | |
| Frazioni | Capodigiano, Casale San Giuliano, Le Marze, Pontegiacoia, Raitiello | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Gerardo Mariani | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 125 km2 (48 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 600 m (2,000 ft) | |
| Population (2009[1]) | ||
| • Total | 5,812 | |
| • Density | 46/km2 (120/sq mi) | |
| Demonym | Muresi | |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
| Postal code | 85054 | |
| Dialing code | 0976 | |
| Patron saint | St. Gerard Majella | |
| Saint day | September 2 | |
| Website | Official website | |
Muro Lucano is a city and comune in the province of Potenza, in the region of Basilicata, southern Italy.
History
The city is situated on the site of the ancient Numistri, at the foot of the Apennines, the scene of a battle between Hannibal and Marcellus in the second Punic war.
Main sights
The city has a cathedral; and it was in its castle that Queen Joan of Naples was murdered on the orders of her adopted son Charles III of Naples.
Geography
Overview
The city of Muro Lucano is composed of the old city and the surrounding quarters of Cappuccini to the north, and Giardini (meaning gardens) to the south. It is 51 kilometres from Potenza, the chief city of the province. Muro Lucano rises 650 metres above sea level, occupies a surface area of 125.7 square kilometres and in 2005 had a population of approximately 6,000. The population, which was over 10,000 in the 1950s, has been shrinking steadily through the years due to social changes, lack of local work and heavy emigration. There are about 2,200 families with an average of close to 2.7 people per family.
The territory of the municipality lies between 300 and 1450 metres above sea level. The city lies on a slope over the Muro ravine, with picturesque houses built on terraces. The name of the city comes from the medieval wall (in Italian muro) that surrounded the medieval centre.
Dialect
The city's dialect is called Murese. This dialect is exclusive to the city and is often unintelligible to Italian speakers. It is believed to have originated from the Oscan language.
Notable people
- Anne Bancroft[2] - actress
- Salvatore Capezio - shoemaker
- Ron Galella[3] - paparazzo
- Joan I of Naples - queen
- Antonio Rosario Mennonna - prelate
- Gerard Majella - catholic saint
- Joseph Stella - painter
- Cristian Zaccardo[4] - footballer
Twin towns and municipalities
Contursi Terme, Italy
Karlsfeld, Germany
References
External links
Media related to Muro Lucano at Wikimedia Commons