Laurenzana
Encyclopedia
Laurenzana is a town and comune
in the province of Potenza
, in the region of Basilicata
(southern Italy
). It rises on a spur between the torre Camastro and the wood surrounding the Serrapotamo valley.
decided to build a fortified village in this area due to its strategic position. In 1268 Laurenzana took part in the Ghibelline revolt against Pope Clement V
. During the Aragonese domination, it was ruled by the Orsini del Balzo
and then in the 15th century by the Loffredos followed by the Filangieri
s the De Ruggieros, the De Quartos and the Belgioiosos.
Near this church there is the belvedere
from which it is possible to admire the surrounding valleys and mountains. Also noteworthy is the Church of the Madonna del Carmine, housing a canvas painted by Giovanni Battista Serra from Tricarico
and dating from 1611.
Walking through the narrow streets of the village center the ruins of the castle situated in a position dominating the village. Delightful walks can be taken along the Abetina ("Fir-wood") of Laurenzana, covering an area of 8 square kilometres on which silver firs and beech trees grow. The Società Botanica Italiana has considered the Abetina as a biotope of extraordinary environmental interest and has designated it a "Riserva Naturale Regionale"
and animal breeding farms producing delicious dairy products.
Comune
In Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.-Importance and function:...
in the province of Potenza
Province of Potenza
The Province of Potenza is a province in the Basilicata region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Potenza.-Geography:It has an area of 6,545 km² and a total population of 387,107 . There are 100 comuni in the province .-History:In 272 B.C. the province was conquered by the Greek army...
, in the region of Basilicata
Basilicata
Basilicata , also known as Lucania, is a region in the south of Italy, bordering on Campania to the west, Apulia to the north and east, and Calabria to the south, having one short southwestern coastline on the Tyrrhenian Sea between Campania in the northwest and Calabria in the southwest, and a...
(southern Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
). It rises on a spur between the torre Camastro and the wood surrounding the Serrapotamo valley.
History
Laurenzana's origins probably date from the 12th century when the NormansNormans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
decided to build a fortified village in this area due to its strategic position. In 1268 Laurenzana took part in the Ghibelline revolt against Pope Clement V
Pope Clement V
Pope Clement V, born Raymond Bertrand de Got was Pope from 1305 to his death...
. During the Aragonese domination, it was ruled by the Orsini del Balzo
Raimondo del Balzo Orsini
Raimondo Del Balzo Orsini , also known as Raimondello was a nobleman of the Kingdom of Naples. He was Count of Soleto , Duke of Benevento , Prince of Taranto , Count of Lecce , Duke of Bari, Grand Constable of the Kingdom of Naples, Gonfalonier of the Holy Roman Church Raimondo Del Balzo Orsini...
and then in the 15th century by the Loffredos followed by the Filangieri
Filangieri
The Filangieri were an Italo-Norman noble family with origins near Nocera in the Kingdom of Sicily, but they rose to prominence at Naples...
s the De Ruggieros, the De Quartos and the Belgioiosos.
Main sights
The most prominent architectural attraction is the Chiesa Madre dell'Assunta with a stone portal dating from 1780. It has one nave and two aisles, and houses a polychrome marble high altar, a fresco dating from the 16th century and Neapolitan school canvases dating from the 18th century.Near this church there is the belvedere
Belvedere (structure)
Belvedere is an architectural term adopted from Italian , which refers to any architectural structure sited to take advantage of such a view. A belvedere may be built in the upper part of a building so as to command a fine view...
from which it is possible to admire the surrounding valleys and mountains. Also noteworthy is the Church of the Madonna del Carmine, housing a canvas painted by Giovanni Battista Serra from Tricarico
Tricarico
Tricarico is a town and comune in the province of Matera, Basilicata, southern Italy.It is home to one of the best preserved medieval historical centres in Lucania.-Origins:The origin of Tricarico is presently unknown...
and dating from 1611.
Walking through the narrow streets of the village center the ruins of the castle situated in a position dominating the village. Delightful walks can be taken along the Abetina ("Fir-wood") of Laurenzana, covering an area of 8 square kilometres on which silver firs and beech trees grow. The Società Botanica Italiana has considered the Abetina as a biotope of extraordinary environmental interest and has designated it a "Riserva Naturale Regionale"
Economy
Up to a few years ago, Laurenzana was famous for the production of high quality liquors produced in four distilleries situated within the village. Handicraft activities regarding the manufacture of wooden barrels, bagpipes and wrought-iron were also widespread. The economy of the village is mainly based on agriculture; in fact, it is possible to find silvicultureSilviculture
Silviculture is the practice of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests to meet diverse needs and values. The name comes from the Latin silvi- + culture...
and animal breeding farms producing delicious dairy products.
Religious festivals
- Beato Egidio da Laurenzana: January 10 (date of birth); Last Sunday in May or First Sunday in June
- Sant'Antonio di Padova : June 13
- San Vito : June 15
- Madonna del Carmelo : July 16
- San Rocco : August 16
- Madonna Addolorata : Last Sunday in September
Typical local dishes
- CalzoneCalzoneA calzone Italian: , "stocking" or "trouser") is a turnover that originates from Italy. It is shaped like a semicircle, made of dough folded over and filled with ingredients common to pizza....
ripieno con salame. - GnocchiGnocchiGnocchi are various thick, soft dumplings. They may be made from semolina, ordinary wheat flour, flour and egg, flour, egg, and cheese, potato, bread crumbs, or similar ingredients. The smaller forms are called gnocchetti....
con le rape. - Pane di grano duro cotto al forno
- Sauzezz r laurnzn
- Patate chiene (Filled potatoes)
- Nuglia
See also
- Gaetani dell'Aquila d'AragonaCaetaniCaetani, or Gaetani, is the name of an Italian noble family princely family which played a great part in the history of Pisa and of Rome, principally via their close links to the papacy.-Origins:...
, princes of Piedimonte, and dukes of Laurenzana