Banzi
Let's discover Banzi together!
Hello everyone! Today I will talk about the municipality of Banzi, a small village located in the province of Potenza, in Basilicata. Its population is 1196 inhabitants and it is located at 571 m above sea level in the north-eastern part of the province, bordering the south-western part of the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani.
Where is Banzi?
Located in the heart of Basilicata, Banzi is surrounded by the green forests of the Lucanian Apennine National Park. It borders the municipalities of Genzano di Lucania at 6 km, Palazzo San Gervasio at 11 km, and Spinazzola (BT) at 20 km. Thanks to its geographical location, Banzi offers visitors breathtaking views and the opportunity to take long walks in nature.
The history of Banzi and its places of interest
The Tabula Bantina is certainly one of the major symbols of Banzi's history and is preserved at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. It is an epigraphic text on a bronze plate that turns out to be the longest and most complex among those found, written in the Oscan language with Latin characters. The archaeologist Mario Torelli also discovered some remains that testify to the importance of Banzi in Roman times, such as the templum auguraculum in terris, a unique temple, and a Roman domus with attached thermal baths.
In addition, Banzi can boast a famous spring that the poet Horace immortalized with his "Fons Bandusiae". We cannot say for certain that the spring was real, but the place is certainly worth a visit.
The proto-cenobio lucano of the Benedictines of Santa Maria dates back to the High Middle Ages and the abbey church was consecrated by Pope Urban II in 1089 when he met here with the sons of Robert Guiscard, his court and 33 bishops, to prepare for the Council that was to take place a few days later in Melfi. The abbey, wanted by the Lombards and dating back to the late 18th/early 19th century, was at the service of the Church of Rome until 1806 when the laws of Joachim Murat arrived.
Society
The demographic evolution of Banzi has undergone some variations. However, the village has maintained its charm and beauty over time. The local community is very welcoming and always ready to deal with tourists.
The administration of Banzi
The administration of Banzi is constantly committed to improving the quality of life of its citizens and promoting the growth of the village. The management is entrusted to a mayor elected by the population.
Related voices
For further information on the territory of Banzi and its surroundings, you can visit the website of the Union of Municipalities of Alto Bradano.
Other projects
You can find more information about the history and culture of Banzi and Basilicata by visiting the website of the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities.
Conclusion
I hope my article has intrigued you and that you have learned something more about Banzi and its history. If you have the opportunity, I recommend visiting this jewel of Basilicata and appreciating the beauty of its territory and traditions.
