San Fele

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San Felè
Comune
Comune di San Fele

Coat of arms
San Felè
Location of San Felè in Italy
Coordinates: 40°49′N 15°32′E / 40.817°N 15.533°E / 40.817; 15.533
Country Italy
Region Basilicata
Province Potenza (PZ)
Frazioni Agrifoglio, Armatieri, Difesa, Cecci, Montagna, Pierno, Priore, Masone, Signorella, Cerrito
Government
  Mayor Mauro Senatore (commissioner since May 10th, 2013)
Area
  Total 96 km2 (37 sq mi)
Elevation 864 m (2,835 ft)
Population (August 31st, 2013)
  Total 3,081
  Density 32/km2 (83/sq mi)
Demonym Sanfelèsi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 85020
Dialing code 0976
Patron saint Saint Justin de Jacobis and Saint Sebastian
Saint day 30 July and 20 January
Website Official website

San Felè is a town and comune in the province of Potenza in the Basilicata region of Italy.

Geography

It is bounded by the comuni of Atella, Bella, Castelgrande, Filiano, Muro Lucano, Rapone and Ruvo del Monte.

History

After the battle of Bovino, Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor, ordered that a fortress be built in this area to protect against Byzantine incursions. This site was chosen for its defensive advantages. In 969 CE, the castle-fortress was completed. The constructors of the fortress, being from Venosa, dedicated the fortress to their protector-saint, Saint Felix (San Felice).

San Felè suffered from substantial emigration in the late 19th century (to North and South America). A large number emigrated to Buffalo and Newark, New Jersey where the number of San Felè expatriates was said to be greater than the number remaining in the town. Descendants of these immigrants in Buffalo and New Jersey still have San Felè Societies, which hold an annual feast day honoring the town. There was also intense emigration from San Felè after the end of World War II (to Australia, Brazil, Germany, Switzerland, and northern Italy).

Twin towns

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