Barile
Welcome to Barile: the Albanian community in Italy
Dear readers, today we want to talk to you about Barile, a town in the province of Potenza in Basilicata. This town of about 2600 inhabitants is one of the Albanian colonies in Italy and, together with other Lucanian-Albanian communities like Ginestra, Maschito, San Costantino Albanese and San Paolo Albanese, proudly maintains its ethnic and cultural Italo-Albanian identity for over five centuries.
The History of Barile
The settlement of Barile already existed at the beginning of the 14th century, but it was only after the immigration of four Greek-Albanian colonies that the town grew from the 14th to the 17th centuries, bringing with it customs, culture and religious worship. The inhabitants of Barile still maintain the current use of the Arbëreshë language, one of the Albanian languages, and maintain a strong awareness of their cultural identity.
The Geography of Barile
Barile is located on two tufaceous hills separated by a ravine, in the northern part of the Province of Potenza, in the Vulture-Melfese area. The Barilese territory borders with other municipalities such as Rionero in Vulture, Ginestra, Rapolla, Ripacandida and Venosa. A physical characteristic of the territory is the Sheshë, a hilly massif with many caves carved into tuff and used in the past and still today as wine cellars.
The Toponymy of Barile
The exact origin of the toponymy Barile is not known, but some believe it derives from grazing taxes, while others believe it comes from the wooden barrels used to store Aglianico del Vulture, the famous wine cultivated in the area. The symbol of the municipality, in fact, represents a barrel between two fir trees and a bunch of grapes.
The History of Albanian Migration to Barile
The region of Vulture was populated by groups of Albanians who fled from Turkish invasions, and so the first four Greek-Albanian colonies arrived in Barile, the first of which was nicknamed "colony of Clefiti". The second colony, made up of "Coronei", arrived around 1534.
The Byzantine Rite and Forced Ritual Latinization
Barile maintained the Byzantine rite, typical of Albanians, until the 17th century, when the community was forced to abandon it with a forced ritual Latinization, due to pressure from the Roman Catholic Church. Although the rite has now been replaced, the inhabitants of Barile maintain a strong Albanian cultural imprint, reflected in language and food.
City of Oil and City of Wine
Barile is an integral part of the National Association of Oil Cities and the National Association of Wine Cities. This makes the town an ideal place for lovers of good food and good wine, thanks to the production of high quality oil and wine.
In conclusion, Barile is a charming place where Albanian history and culture blend with Italian culture, creating a fascinating and captivating synthesis. A visit to this town will take you back in time and immerse you in a unique and unforgettable cultural experience.
