Pietragalla
Pietragalla: History and Territory
Hi guys, today I'm going to talk about a beautiful town in the province of Potenza in Basilicata, Pietragalla. This town of about 900 inhabitants is located on a terraced plateau at 839 meters above sea level, on the left bank of the Cancellara stream.
As often happens in these small historic centers, the name of Pietragalla seems to have originated in the medieval period. The town's coat of arms is a rooster on three mountains with three towers included. The three towers indicate the three main entrances to the historic center: "Arco Melazzi", "Arco Settanni" and "Arco Via fratelli Bandiera".
The municipality of Pietragalla was also an important place during the fight against brigandage. In November 1861, formations led by Carmine Crocco and José Borjes arrived in Pietragalla and partially sacked the town. However, the population and the national guards managed to repel their siege, causing numerous losses to the attackers. The Provincial Council of Basilicata on January 11, 1862 declared the resistance of the people of Pietragalla heroic, defining them as "well-deserving of the homeland... who with so much courage and patriotism defended the walls of their fathers".
Monuments and Places of Interest
Pietragalla is a town where culture and history come together. Among the monuments and places of interest, we find the Mother Church, the Ducal Palace and the Palmenti. The Palmenti are a complex of underground structures dating back to the first half of the 19th century. Here the grapes were crushed and the must fermented, which was then deposited in wooden barrels of artisanal make and kept in characteristic cellars located to the north of the historic center.
Society
Demographic Evolution
Like all provincial villages, Pietragalla has a rather contained demographic evolution. Today the town has about 900 inhabitants who live in a peaceful and tranquil way.
Traditions and Folklore
Pietragalla is a town where traditions and folklore are very much felt. In particular, the feast of San Teodosio martyr, patron saint of the town which actually falls in October, has been moved to May 10 and is an opportunity to celebrate together, in a festive and sharing atmosphere.
Here is my summary of the town of Pietragalla, a small jewel of Basilicata with a history rich in culture and traditions that is worth discovering. I hope you enjoyed it!
