Potenza

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Potenza
coat of arms
Potenza (Italy)
Potenza
Country Italy
region Basilicata
province Potenza  (PZ)
Coordinates 40 ° 38 ′  N , 15 ° 48 ′  E Coordinates: 40 ° 38 ′ 0 ″  N , 15 ° 48 ′ 0 ″  E
height 819  m slm
surface 173 km²
Residents 66,459 (Dec. 31, 2019)
Population density 384 inhabitants / km²
Post Code 85100
prefix 0971
ISTAT number 076063
Popular name potentini
Patron saint San Gerardo
Website Potenza
Potenza city center
Potenza city center

Potenza is the capital of the southern Italian region of Basilicata and the province of Potenza . The province surrounding the capital was called Basilicata Province before 1871 , but was only part of today's Basilicata region.

The municipality of Potenza has 66,459 inhabitants (as of December 31, 2019) on 174 km². The city itself lies at 819 m above sea level on a steep mountain range of the southern Apennines above the Basento river valley . It is the highest capital of a region in Italy.

Potenza is the seat of an Archbishop of the Catholic Church and the University of Basilicata.

Climate diagram of Potenza

history

The location of the ancient city of Potentia , from which the current name of the city is derived, was already forgotten in the Middle Ages as a result of numerous destruction. Archaeological finds and coins have been found in the corridor of La murata since the 17th century , making this place considered the ancient Potentia - an assumption that has since been refuted by archaeological research. Apparently, La murata served the residents for a long time as a landfill to dispose of building rubble in the city, which is still hidden under the foundations of the old town of Potenza.

The high medieval Potenza was also destroyed by Frederick II and Karl von Anjou . As a result, today's settlement was built on the site of the former castle. For its part, it was largely destroyed in an earthquake on December 21, 1857 and then rebuilt, which is why Potenza has hardly any older buildings today. In September 1943, the city was heavily bombed by Allied long-range bombers (B-17, B-24) launched from bases in North Africa. There were many civilian casualties. The last earthquake in Irpinia in 1980 caused severe damage in Potenza.

Attractions

Special sights are the church of San Michele from the 11th century, the Palazzo Ciccotti from the 18th century and the Provincial Archaeological Museum ( Museo Archeologico Provinciale ) with finds from the Paleolithic to classical antiquity , including Greek ceramics, bronzes and coins.

  • Cattedrale di San Gerardo

  • Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo

  • Chiesa di San Rocco

  • Torre Guevara

  • Palazzo della Prefettura

  • Museo archeologico provinciale

  • Teatro Stabile

Economy, transport, education

The solar industry is of economic importance .

The Potenza Centrale station is a station on the Salerno – Taranto railway line . The railway and bus company Ferrovie Appulo – Lucane operates several lines between Potenza and Bari .

The European route 847 leads along the city , which connects with the city center and a. is connected via the Ponte Musmeci , a probably unique concrete shell structure. West of Potenza, this road is also the toll-free Raccordo autostradale 5 motorway , which connects the city with the A3 motorway , which runs about 50 kilometers to the west .

Potenza is the headquarters of the Università degli Studi della Basilicata .

Town twinning

Potenza has city ​​partnerships with Denver in Colorado ( USA ) and with Focșani in eastern Romania .

Sports

The basketball club Potenza '84 currently plays in the Serie A Dilettanti , the third highest Italian league level. The football club Potenza Calcio represents the team currently in the third-highest division of the country, the Series C .

Personalities

Personalities born in Potenza:

Web links

Commons : Potenza  - collection of images, videos and audio files
Wikivoyage: Potenza  - travel guide

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Statistiche demografiche ISTAT. Monthly population statistics of the Istituto Nazionale di Statistica , as of December 31 of 2019.
  2. ↑ Annarita Di Noia: Potentia. La cittá romana tra età repubblicana e tardo antica . In: Consiglio regional della Basilicata (ed.): Documentation Regione . Potenza 2008, p. 152 .