Armento
Welcome to Armento, a jewel of Basilicata!
Welcome to Armento, a delightful town in the province of Potenza, located in Val d'Agri, in the heart of wonderful Basilicata. This small town with around 579 inhabitants, called "Arëmient" in Lucanian dialect, is a fascinating and ancient place that undoubtedly deserves a visit.
Let's discover the physical geography of Armento
Armento is located in the central-southern part of the province of Potenza, immersed in a landscape infused with traditions, history, and art. The city's territory is connected to the State Road 598, Fondovalle dell'Agri, and is included among the municipalities of Montemurro and San Martino d'Agri, Guardia Perticara, Corleto Perticara, Gallicchio, and San Chirico Raparo.
Let's reveal the climate of Armento
The climate of Armento, like much of Basilicata, is continental. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of around zero degrees, with nighttime temperatures often below zero. In contrast, summers are scorching, with peaks of forty degrees or more. The rainfall is abundant, but concentrated mainly in autumn and winter.
The rich history of Armento: from the Greek-Roman period to Spanish domination
Inhabited since ancient times, Armento stands upon the ancient city of Galasa, founded during the Trojan War, of which very little is known. Archaeologists have discovered many remains of walls and some sacred places to Greek gods. A necropolis and numerous pottery artifacts were found during excavations and preserved in museums in Italy and abroad.
During the Roman period, the consul Decimo Giunio Bruto resided in the ancient district "Casale". With the arrival of Basilian monks at the end of the first millennium, Armento regained importance, and its name is said to derive from the Byzantine Greek "Armés," "Arméntos," Αρμέντος. Saint Luke of Demenna defeated the Saracens near "Serra San Luca," an area that owes its name to this episode. Saint Vitale di Castronovo, co-patron saint of Armento, was also a Basilian monk associated with the town.
Subsequently, Armento followed the history of southern Italy, with the Swabian, Angevin, and Spanish domination. It became a feudal district of the Diocese of Tricarico, along with Montemurro. In the 19th century, the city actively participated in the Carbonari movements, and then in the Lucanian uprising, until it became part of the Kingdom of Italy. Today, like many other southern Italian towns, Armento faces emigration.
Let's discover the monuments and places of interest in Armento
Armento is an authentic gem in the province of Potenza, rich in art and history. The Mother Church, dedicated to Saint Luke the Abbot, was built-in 1957 following the collapse of the ancient church from 1040, and preserves many saintly statues, an unknown author polyptych, and the mortal remains of the Saint.
The Chapel of Vitale di Castronovo, the former crypt of the ancient Mother Church, presents seventeenth-century frescoes depicting the life and miracles of the Saint. Among other attractions in Armento is a seventeenth-century wooden bust of Saint Francis of Paola, preserved in the chapel, and frescoes on the crucifixion of Jesus.
Do not miss the opportunity to visit Armento: an ideal destination for those who love art, nature, and the beauties of Italy. Are you ready to go?
