Rapone
Rapone: a small hilltop village
Hello friends, I introduce you to Rapone, a small village located on a hill in the province of Potenza, Basilicata. With only 877 inhabitants, the village covers an area of 29 km². It overlooks the Ofanto river valley and is situated at an altitude of 838 meters above sea level.
The history of Rapone
The history of Rapone dates back to the Paleolithic era, as evidenced by signs of settlements in the area. It is believed that the village was founded by the inhabitants of "Old Rapone", located above Serra delle Pietre, who moved due to the Greco-Gothic war that hit the area in 555. The name of the village may derive from the Greek "Ra-pono", which means "new settlement". During the Norman-Angevin period, Rapone belonged to the county of Conza della Campania and, in the Hohenstaufen period, was one of the hamlets charged by Frederick II of Swabia to repair the castle of San Fele. During the Guelph insurrection of 1268 against the Angevins, the fiefdom of Rapone was assigned to Herveo de Chevreuse and, subsequently, passed from one feudal family to another. In 1806, feudalism was eliminated with the entry into force of the subversive laws.
Symbols of Rapone
The symbol of Rapone is represented by the coat of arms and the banner, granted in 2004 by the President of the Republic. The coat of arms is composed of a golden castle with three battlemented towers and walls with a central open gate. The banner is made up of a blue drape with a white Latin cross.
Monuments and places of interest
For such a small village, Rapone has a remarkable artistic and cultural heritage. Among the monuments and churches in the village, I recommend visiting the mother church of San Nicola Vescovo, the church of San Vito Martire, the Calvary chapel, the church of Santa Maria ad Nives, the church of the Sacred Heart, the rural church of San Michele and the chapel of Santa Maria dei Santi.
Society in Rapone
The population of Rapone has always been deeply connected to the traditions of the village. Over the years, the village has experienced an increase and decrease in population, with a strong emigration to larger cities. However, the local community has always been committed to preserving the folk traditions of the area, particularly the popular fairy tales.
The fairy tales of Rapone
Fairy tales are an important element of the local culture of Rapone. They represent a tool to learn about the daily life of the villagers, their beliefs and superstitions. Among the most well-known fairy tales of the village, I recommend reading "The Old Woman of the Castle" and "The Legend of Serra delle Pietre".
In conclusion, Rapone is a small village characterized by a very interesting cultural and artistic heritage, as well as a strong identity linked to local traditions. I recommend visiting it to discover all the beauties and peculiarities of this splendid locality.
