Muro Lucano
Discovering Muro Lucano: a bit of geography and history
Hello everyone! Today we will be talking about Muro Lucano, a municipality in the province of Potenza, Basilicata. This town has approximately 4,910 inhabitants and is located within a hilly territory, between an altitude of 600 and 660 meters. The inhabited center is built on a steep slope overlooking a gorge, and in the valley below lies the original nucleus of the ancient Lucanian city of Numistrum Maggiore.
The ancient history of Numistrum
Near Numistro, Hannibal fought against the consul Marcus Claudius Marcellus in 210 BC during the Second Punic War. Today, the castle of Muro Lucano and the cathedral church represent the acropolis of the old town. The castle is believed to have medieval origins, dating back to the 9th century. The tower located to the left of the entrance may have been built by the Lombards.
The birth of the new city of Muro
Following the birth of Pianello in the 9th century, the Pianellesi built fortified walls to the southeast and northwest, protecting the city from attacks by barbarian populations. However, the village could not contain any more people who flocked there, which is why the city began to build outside the walls. These new neighborhoods were referred to as "the houses outside the wall," and from there the city of Muro was born. In 1863, after the unification of Italy, the name Muro was supplemented with Lucano to distinguish it from the city of Muro Leccese.
The Castle of Muro Lucano
The castle of Muro Lucano has had many owners and functions over the centuries. In the past, it was also a royal castle under Frederick II of Swabia, before being expanded by the Angevins. Next to it is the Co-Cathedral of San Nicola, consecrated in 1169. In 1382, the Castle of Muro Lucano was the scene of the murder of Joanna I of Naples, Queen of the Kingdom of Naples, on the orders of Charles III of Naples. After the Angevin era, the Castle was enfeoffed by the Orsini family until the end of feudalism (1806).
The earthquake of 1980
Unfortunately, the cultural and economic center of Muro Lucano was severely hit by the earthquake of Irpinia in 1980. The event caused serious damage to infrastructure, and the restructuring of the territory was at the center of an intense debate that lasted for over twenty years.
Conclusions
There you have it, friends, with these pieces of information we have learned a bit more about the city of Muro Lucano. Despite its troubled history, Muro Lucano remains a town rich in history and culture with many treasures to discover. I hope you found this brief excursion into the city interesting. Until next time!
