Montescaglioso

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Montescaglioso
coat of arms
Montescaglioso (Italy)
Montescaglioso
Country Italy
region Basilicata
province Matera  (MT)
Coordinates 40 ° 33 '  N , 16 ° 40'  E Coordinates: 40 ° 33 '0 "  N , 16 ° 40' 0"  E
height 365  m slm
surface 173 km²
Residents 9,616 (Dec 31, 2019)
Population density 56 inhabitants / km²
Post Code 75024
prefix 0835
ISTAT number 077017
Popular name Montesi
Patron saint San Rocco
Website Montescaglioso

Montescaglioso is a municipality in Italy near Matera in the Basilicata region . It has 9,616 inhabitants (as of December 31, 2019) and an area of ​​173 km².

Location of the place between Matera and Bernalda
Montescaglioso, view of the historic center

location

Montescaglioso is located 366 meters above sea level on a hill with a direct view of the Gulf of Taranto . It lies between the provincial capital of Matera and Bernalda . The neighboring municipalities are: Bernalda, Ginosa ( TA ), Matera, Miglionico , Pisticci and Pomarico .

history

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Archaeologists disagree about the origin of the place name and the foundation of the place. On the one hand, one suspects the first evidence from the year 373 BC. On the other hand, D'Ambrosio argues that the first settlers from the year 655 BC. Came from. Lukan vases from the 7th - 6th century BC, Attic from the 5th and Apulian from the 4th century come from grave finds . A Roman mosaic that mentions a quattuorvir suggests that the place was a Roman Municipium . In 1925 a Hellenistic Telamon was found that is now in the Archaeological Museum in Reggio Calabria .

The place was called Mons Caveosus in the Middle Ages , as evidenced by documents from the 11th and 12th centuries. Radulphus Machabeus the son Humfrieds was with Emma, a subsidiary of Rogers I. married. In contrast to other villages, Montescaglioso was one of the safe villages of the Basilicata region due to its location. Thanks to four viewpoints, called “Cozzi” (Torre Vedere, Serre, San Primo and San Antuono), one was warned in good time of pirate attacks and other hostile machinations and could take protective measures.

In the years 1880–1910 and 1957–1972, numerous residents left the city and emigrated to Canada, the USA, Switzerland, Germany and South America.

Attractions

The former Benedictine Abbey of St. Archangel Michael (view into the cloister)
  • The Benedictine Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo (Abbey of St. Michael the Archangel) was founded by Count Humfried of Montescaglioso, also promoted by his son Radulph and King Roger II of Sicily, and already taken under papal protection by Gregory VII , which was Paschal II. And Alexander III. (1174) confirmed. Since the monastery was a stronghold for forgers, no reliable dates can be given for the establishment. In any case, the monastery retained its status as an exemte abbey until 1910. The monastery complex has 365 rooms and is divided by two inner courtyards and two fountains. The core of the abbey is the east of the two cloisters (with a view of the campanile) and the church, which was rebuilt at the end of the 14th century. The colonnades and frescoes are by Lucan artists. It has been repeatedly renovated since 1980 and remains closed to visitors. The library and rooms were renovated and refurbished. In 2005 these rooms were released for viewing.

Patron saint San Rocco (1295–1327)

In 1314, at the age of 27, he came to Montescaglioso and worked as a helper and healer for humans and animals. The statue, venerated by the population, dates from 1684 by an artist from Naples. It was renovated on December 16, 1907 and has been in Piazza Roma ever since. The column is 12 meters and the statue is 1.80 meters high. According to local belief, San Rocco protected the place from major damage from an earthquake on August 20, 1857. Allegedly, the statue leaned across the piazza, then back again and the earthquake stopped immediately. That is why the Montese celebrate Saint San Rocco on August 20 with a festive parade in a horse-drawn carriage, decorated streets and a folk festival.

carnival

The Montescaglioso Carnival in mid-February has a long tradition. Children tailor costumes from newspapers or sacks of flour. They glue strips on with paste and on Carnival day the children go from door to door with the self-made costumes and receive food. In the evening, all the children meet around a fireplace and exchange food.

economy

Agriculture is one of the two main industries of the Montesians. Olives are harvested and processed into oil. Fruit, vegetables and wine are also grown, and cheese and salami are made. Tourism became another branch of business. Many locals make their living in the shops during the summer.

Web links

Commons : Montescaglioso  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Statistiche demografiche ISTAT. Monthly population statistics of the Istituto Nazionale di Statistica , as of December 31 of 2019.
  2. ↑ aptbasilicata.it an incorrect and abbreviated German translation