Salandra
Discover Salandra, the pearl of Basilicata
Salandra is an Italian municipality in the province of Matera, Basilicata, with a population of 2530 inhabitants. Sitting on a hill at 598 meters above sea level, Salandra overlooks the valley of the Salandrella stream, the initial course of the Cavone river. The municipal territory is characterized by cliffs and typical clayey badlands, while the opposite slope is covered with olive groves, orchards, and oak woods. Despite being a small municipality, Salandra has a millenary history and offers many interesting places to visit.
History
The name Salandra has two possible origins: the first one comes from the Greek ''Thalassa andros'', meaning ''sea of men'', as Salandra was founded during the colonization of Magna Graecia. The second hypothesis refers to the Greek god Acheloo, a river deity from whom the Salandrella took its name, the ancient ''Acalandro'' mentioned by Pliny the Elder in his ''Naturalis historia''; therefore, the toponym Salandra could derive from ''Acheloo Andros'', meaning ''men of Acheloo''.
The territory of Salandra was inhabited by the Enotri since the 8th century BC, and the inhabited center dates back to the Norman era. In 1119, Countess Emma of Sicily donated the feud of Salandra to the Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo in Montescaglioso. Later, in the Swabian and Angevin era, Salandra belonged to several noble families. In 1656, the village was hit by the plague, and Saint Rocco was proclaimed its patron saint.
Things to see in Salandra
Salandra is a jewel of Basilicata, with many interesting places to visit. The historic center has preserved its ancient charm, with its stone houses and cobbled streets climbing up the hill to the Swabian castle. The latter was built in the 12th century as a defense outpost against the Saracens. In the 16th century, the castle was expanded by the Revertera family, who added the Ducal Palace and the church of St. John the Baptist. In the Ducal Palace, you can find the Museum of Peasant Civilization, which preserves tools and traditional objects used by farmers in the area.
The church of St. John the Baptist, built in the 18th century in Baroque style, has an imposing façade and a richly decorated interior with frescoes and stuccoes. The church preserves a canvas by the painter Bernardino Cavallino depicting St. John the Baptist.
Montagnola and sports facilities
3 km from the town center lies the hamlet of Montagnola, which houses the multifunctional arena (PalaSaponara) and the Municipal Stadium. The multifunctional arena is used for sporting and cultural events, while the stadium hosts the matches of the local football team.
Gastronomy and typical products
The cuisine of Salandra is based on simple but high-quality products. Among the typical dishes are homemade cavatelli with meat sauce, orecchiette with turnip greens, stuffed peppers, bruschetta with oil and tomatoes, homemade bread, and burrata cheese. Among the typical products, instead, there are extra-virgin olive oil, Aglianico del Vulture wine, Murge honey, and fresh cheeses.
Events and festivals
The town of Salandra is lively with numerous events throughout the year. Among the most important are the patron saint festival of St. Rocco at the end of August, with processions and fireworks shows, and the festival of wine and oil at the end of September, with tastings and markets. Moreover, during the summer, there are outdoor concerts, theater performances, and film screenings.
Conclusions
Salandra is a small municipality that hides cultural and natural treasures. Its historic center, the Swabian castle, the church of St. John the Baptist, and the Museum of Peasant Civilization are places that deserve to be visited. Moreover, sports enthusiasts can enjoy Montagnola's facilities, while foodies can taste the typical dishes of the local cuisine and the precious products of the land. Do not miss the opportunity to visit this pearl of Basilicata!
