Accettura

Accettura
Comune
Comune di Accettura

Accettura May Festival

Coat of arms
Accettura

Location of Accettura in Italy

Coordinates: 40°29′N 16°09′E / 40.483°N 16.150°ECoordinates: 40°29′N 16°09′E / 40.483°N 16.150°E
Country Italy
Region Basilicata
Province Matera (MT)
Area
  Total 89 km2 (34 sq mi)
Elevation 770 m (2,530 ft)
Population
  Total 2,427
  Density 27/km2 (71/sq mi)
Demonym Accetturesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 75011
Dialing code 0835
Website Official website

Accettura is a town and comune in the province of Matera, in the Southern Italian region of Basilicata. It is bounded by the comuni (Municipalities) of Calciano, Campomaggiore, Cirigliano, Oliveto Lucano, Pietrapertosa, San Mauro Forte and Stigliano.

Geography

The territory is half covered by forests and pastures. Around the commune there are the mountains Manche, Gallipoli, Montepiano, Vallefredda and Tempacortaglie. Accettura is 770 metres (2,530 ft) above sea level and is bordered to the north with the comunes of Campomaggiore and Calciano, to the east with Oliveto Lucano and San Mauro Forte, to the south with Stigliano and Cirigliano, and to the west with Pietrapertosa (PZ).

Etymology

The term, according to some, is derived from the theme of the word "acceptor", which in Latin is Accipiter. For others, it stems from the symbol of the country, to accept a small plot of land etc.

History

The first official mention of Accettura in documents was by Pope Nicholas II in 1060, who sent a document sent to the bishop of Tricarico, referring to it as "Achitorem".

Situated in the Appennino Lucano in the Gallipoli-Cognato Park, was founded in the 10th century after the local population had abandoned three neighbouring villages. Nowadays the population work mainly in agriculture, stock-breeding and tourism.[1]

In the tenth century was a feudal territory of Montescaglioso. In 1272, the town was completely destroyed by fire. Shortly after, Charles I of Anjou ordered its reconstruction.

Throughout its history, Accettura was owned by several families: Bazzano, Della Marra, the Ponsiaco, the Carafa, and the Spinelli who held it until the late nineteenth century.

Main sights

Religious buildings

Other buildings

Natural attractions

Montepiano woods cover the territory of four communes in this region of Italy, Accettura, Cirigliano, Stigliano and Pietrapertosa. Inside were found numerous remains of fortifications, some of them as old as the third of fourth century BC.

The Museo dei culti arborei is also located in Accettura and houses an exhibition of paintings, collections of photographs and video of the May festival in Accettura held every year, and tools typical of farming and forestry in the area. The museum offers texts and information on the anthropological and social rituals and the ancient traditions associated with the "cult of beautiful trees" of this area.

Economy

The economy is mainly based on livestock and cereal crops (affecting 73% of cultivated land).

The industrial sector is composed mainly of construction or manufacturing companies and is noted for its production of bricks and tiles, produced traditionally in an old furnace. There are also food companies and a service sector, which relies primarily on retail sales of furniture and food.

Tourism is not well developed. However, there are numerous hotels and restaurants.

Notable people

References

Sources