Brindisi Montagna
Exploring Brindisi Montagna
Hello everyone, today we will talk about Brindisi Montagna, a small town with 811 inhabitants located in the province of Potenza, Basilicata. Brindisi Montagna is often called "Brindisi di Montagna" in Lucanian dialect and is famous for being the set of the show "La storia bandita", which tells the story of the bandit Carmine Crocco and his gang in the post-unification period of Italy.
Physical geography
Brindisi Montagna is located at 800 m above sea level in the central-northern sector of the province of Potenza, near the border with the north-western part of the province of Matera. It borders other municipalities in the area such as Trivigno, Vaglio Basilicata, Anzi, Albano di Lucania, Potenza and Tricarico.
The history of Brindisi Montagna
The municipal area of Brindisi Montagna has evidence of settlements dating back to the 3rd century BC and archaeological artifacts ranging from the Bronze Age to the Byzantine period can be seen at the National Archaeological Museum of Basilicata. In the Middle Ages, a community of Basilian monks settled in the Abbey dedicated to Santa Maria dell'Acqua Calda, a location famous for its thermal water. In 1268, Charles I of Anjou entrusted the fiefdom of Brindisi and Anzi to Guidone da Foresta, naming him "primus dominus Brundisii de Montanea et Ansiae". Local feudal lords fortified the town with a castle and by 1277, the village had 136 "fuochi" (approximately 700 inhabitants).
After the conquest of Kruja in 1478, the first Albanian refugees arrived in the territory of Brindisi Montagna. The toponymy of the historic center pays homage to these refugees, particularly the via dei Crojesi which refers to the city of Kruja. The majority of refugees came from Morea, present-day Peloponnese.
In 1536, thanks to the will of the feudal lord of Brindisi Montagna, Pietro Antonio Sanseverino, 30 families of refugees from Corone led by Lazzaro Mathes, a noble family Albanian condottiero and captain of the stradioti, arrived in the area. They rebuilt the village at the foot of the Castle and their surnames are still present in the area: Barbati, Basta, Bellezza, Beccia, Bello, Bianco, Biluscio, Bodino, Bubbich, Buscicchio, Canadeo, Caparriello, Caporale, Colossi, Como, Creasi, Cresio, Greco, Lech, Licumati, Manes, Mattes, Molicchio, Musciacchio, Plescia, Prete, Pulmett, Rennisi, Scura, and Truppa.
The Basilian Abbey was donated by the Sanseverino princes to the monks of the Certosa di Padula and became a large rural company conducted by lay monks. After the suppression of monastic orders in 1806, the Grancia was purchased by private individuals and finally resold to the Demanio in 1925.
A visit to Brindisi Montagna
If you are looking for a picturesque place to spend a pleasant day, I recommend visiting Brindisi Montagna. At the National Archaeological Museum of Basilicata, you can admire archaeological artifacts that testify to the presence of a settlement in the area dating back to the 3rd century BC and retrace the various phases of local history.
In the historic center, you can admire the medieval buildings and enjoy the view from the slopes of the castle. And if you are passionate about hiking and walking, the territory of Brindisi Montagna offers a breathtaking landscape. You can also visit the Abbey, created initially as a Basilian monastery and now used as a farm.
But if you are a history lover, you cannot miss the show "La storia bandita" which tells the story of the bandit Carmine Crocco and his gang in the post-unification period of Italy. An exciting and engaging experience that will take you back in time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Brindisi Montagna is a town rich in history and culture, which will offer you an unforgettable experience. The area is perfect for hiking and walking, as well as for a visit to the National Archaeological Museum of Basilicata and the Abbey. And if you want to immerse yourself completely in the history of the place, don't miss the show "La storia bandita". You won't regret it!
