MONTEMURRO
Montemurro is located on the left slope
of Val d’Agri. It is an agricultural centre and holiday
village situated in a beautiful panoramic position on the
Pietra del Pertusillo Lake.
History
The village’s name derives from the Latin Castrum Montis
Murri, with clear reference to the first fortification erected
during the X century, when bands of Saracens raged on the
territory, tormenting Longobard centres along the border.
In this political picture, the City of Grumentum was destroyed
(975 or 1031) and its inhabitants who escaped to the mountains,
founded new fortified centres.
Basilian Monks were among the first to inaugurate these centres,
bringing the Greek Rites to Basilicata, which were later substituted
with Latin ones by the Normans (midway through the XI century),
who were faithful to the Roman Pope. The new nobles, in fact,
entrusted the Parish of Montemurro to the Bishop of Tricàrico
(1086), whose diocese remained in the village until the Swabians
came into power (1194).
Under the Angioiniansans (XIII century), Montemurro was a
fief of the Sanseverino family and during the Aragonese era,
of the Carafa family.
In 1857, the village was almost totally destroyed by a terrible
earthquake, to which a landslide was added 50 years later.
This forced many people to abandon the village (1907).
The poet Leonardo Sinisgalli was born in Montemurro.
A visit to the City
One can visit the Sant’Antonio Monastery in the village,
which preserves frescoes from the ‘600s in its interior,
and the Assunta Mother Church which preserves canvases from
the XVII century.
One can also visit the house of the poet Leonardo Sinisgalli,
a native of Montemurro.
There are many possible excursions to the surrounding territory,
among which we suggest a visit to; the Grumentum Archaeological
Park and many other naturalistic walks offered by the presence
of the Pietra del Pertusillo Lake.
Place of interest
The S. Antonio Monastery (1635); S. Maria Assunta Church
(1442); Madonna del Soccorso Church; Extra moenia (outside
the City walls) Sanctuary of the Madonna of Servigliano; San
Domenico Tower; House of the poet Sinisgalli; Sepolcro Church;
S. Rocco Church; Pietra Laccata Woods; Pietra del Pertusillo
Lake; Grumentum Archaeological Site; Grumento Nova; Val D’Agri
National Park.
Events
Feast of Sant’Antonio Abate on 17th January; Feast
of San Giorgio on 19th April, Feast of the Madonna of Servigliano
on the 2nd Sunday in May; Feast of Sant’Antonio of Padua
on 13th June; Feast of the Madonna del Carmine on 16th June;
Feast of San Rocco on 16th August; Feast of the Madonna of
Servigliano on the 2nd Sunday in September.
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