Colobraro
Welcome to Colobraro: a little gem in the heart of Basilicata
If you're looking for a peaceful place to escape from everyday routine, Colobraro might be the perfect solution. This Italian municipality, located in the province of Matera, in the southern region of Basilicata, has a lot to offer its visitors.
Physical geography
Colobraro is located on a spur of the southern slopes of Mount Calvario, 630 meters above sea level. Thanks to its elevated position, the small village dominates a beautiful panorama of the Sinni river valley. The State Road 653 of the Sinni Valley connects it to other cities such as Policoro and Lauria. Nearby, you can visit the famous Lake Monte Cotugno, which hosts Europe's largest dam. The municipal territory is surrounded by other municipalities, such as Valsinni, Tursi, Senise, Rotondella, Sant'Arcangelo, and Noepoli.
Origins of the name
The name Colobraro has a curious origin. According to some scholars, it derives from the Latin ''locus colubrarius'', meaning 'place of snakes'. In reality, the etymology of the name has been the subject of debate, but regardless of its origin, Colobraro is a unique and wonderful place.
History
The history of Colobraro dates back to the time of the Basilian monks, who founded the Abbey of Santa Maria di Cersosimo, of which the village was a part. Over the centuries, Colobraro changed hands, assigned to the counts of Chiaromonte, the Sanseverino, the Poderico, the Pignatelli, the Carafa, and the Donnaperna. During the period of post-unit brigandage, the village was disturbed by the bands of Egidio Pugliese, Francesco Tuzio, and Francesco Gulfo. During the Fascism period, the municipality was used as a place of confinement for opponents of the regime and for the Romani People.
The village without a name
Among the neighboring villages, Colobraro is known by the nickname ''That village'', a joking but superstitious way to avoid pronouncing its name. Popular belief has it that pronouncing the name of the village brings bad luck, due to an ancient anecdote dating back to the 1940s. During a meeting of local administrators in Matera, the Podestà Virgilio allegedly said, ''If I don't tell the truth, let this chandelier fall,'' and the chandelier actually fell, causing the death of some of those present. In reality, it's probably just a popular legend, but the nickname of ''That village'' has stuck to this day.
In conclusion, Colobraro is a unique and charming place. If you're looking for a destination for a peaceful and relaxing vacation, small villages like Colobraro may be the ideal choice. Thanks to its panoramic position, history, and culture, this municipality of Basilicata definitely deserves a visit.
