Pomarico
Discovering Pomarico
Hello everyone! Today I'll be talking about Pomarico, an Italian commune located in the province of Matera, in Basilicata. The city, which has about 3788 inhabitants, is located on a hill between the Bradano and Basento rivers.
Physical geography
Pomarico is located in the central-eastern area of the province of Matera and borders the commune of Miglionico to the north, Montescaglioso to the east, Pisticci to the south, and Ferrandina to the west. The territory is characterized by the Manferrara forest, which extends for about 500 hectares and is populated by typical plants such as the Quercus cerris, maple, and Aleppo pine, as well as various animals including foxes, martens, porcupines, and vipers.
History
But let's get to the origins of Pomarico. The name of the city, whose etymology is rather complex, seems to come from the Latin term Pomarium, which means "orchard". Also, the city's banner, which is designed with a green apple tree, two fish representing the Bradano and Basento rivers, three mountains, and the letters P and A on either side of the trunk, seems to refer to the meaning of "orchard".
The territory of Pomarico is characterized by the presence of two ancient centers, Pomarico vecchio and Castro Cicurio. The former is a fortified center dating back to the 5th century BC that was influenced by the colonies of Magna Graecia, while the latter was a settlement from the Roman period. The current Pomarico, on the other hand, was founded in the 9th century by the inhabitants of Pomarico vecchio, after the latter was destroyed several times by the Saracens.
Over the centuries, Pomarico was subjected to various feudal lords including the Normans and the Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo di Montescaglioso. Numerous were the feudal lords who owned the city, including Francesco II del Balzo and the Donnaperna family.
What to see in Pomarico
Now that we know a little more about the history of Pomarico, let's see what its main points of interest are. First of all, we cannot fail to mention the Mother Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, which was renovated in the 18th century by the Donnaperna family and which has a bell tower 44 meters high. The small Church of San Luigi is also noteworthy, with its precious stone portal.
For those who love trekking and nature, it is possible to take a walk in the Manferrara forest and admire its beautiful plants and animals. Furthermore, Pomarico is surrounded by several hiking trails that will allow you to discover the beauty of the surrounding territory.
Finally, for lovers of food and wine, Pomarico offers several local specialties including dried figs and various dishes based on meat and vegetables.
Conclusion
As you can see, Pomarico is a commune rich in history, breathtaking natural landscapes, and culinary delights. If you have the opportunity to visit this wonderful city in Basilicata, do not miss the chance to discover all its treasures!
