Bella
Bella: Discovering a Town in Basilicata
If you are looking for a peaceful place to relax and learn about the Lucanian culture, then Bella is the perfect choice for you. Located in the province of Potenza, this town has a population of 4,711 inhabitants and is surrounded by hills and rivers that make the landscape breathtaking. In this article, I will talk about the geography of Bella, its origins, and its history.
Physical Geography
Bella is located 662 meters above sea level and is situated northwest of the province of Potenza, on the Lucanian Apennines. The town is positioned on a hill between two rivers and at the foot of Monte Santa Croce. It borders with other municipalities in the province such as Muro Lucano, San Fele, Baragiano, Balvano, Ruoti, and Avigliano. The total surface area of the Bella's territory is 99.60 km², and the highest altitude reached is that of Monte Santa Croce, which is located at 1,425 meters above sea level.
Origins of the Name
According to the historian Giacomo Racioppi, Bella might derive from the ancient name of Abella, an ancient Oscan-Lucanian city. This name could have origin from the root word "alba" or from "aber/aper," which means "aperula," or "small city of boars."
History
Bella's History in 210 BC
Bella has ancient origins and was probably built on the ruins of Numistrone, an ancient Lucanian city destroyed during the battle fought between Hannibal and Marcellus in 210 BC. This is attested by numerous archaeological findings from the Roman era. Marco Claudio Marcellus, a Roman politician and consul for five times, fought during the Second Punic War and moved to Lucania to lead the recovery of Rome after the defeat at Cannae. He stood in front of Hannibal's army to prevent its advancement and battled against him without leaving winners or losers. Later on, Hannibal withdrew silently and marched towards Apulia. Marcellus and his army followed his tracks and attacked him by surprise. Marcellus was killed, and his body became an object of contention between the two armies. Nevertheless, it is still believed in Venosa that his body is buried in an ancient Roman tomb called "Tomba di Marcello."
The Barbarian Invasions between the 900s and 1000s AD
Bella was affected by several foreign dominations between the 900s and 1000s AD. Evidence of this is found in the tombs and coins discovered in different periods. During this period, there was also a battle fought between Arabs and Abellani about a kilometer from the town. The area where the battle took place is still called "Fontana dei Saraceni" and is located on the Pistella or Pisterola hill.
Conclusion
If you want to learn more about the town of Bella, I recommend you to visit it and walk through its streets. You will admire the beauty of the territory, better understand its history, and get to know its inhabitants, who are always ready to welcome visitors with hospitality and friendliness.
