San Chirico Nuovo
San Chirico Nuovo: a millennial history
Hello everyone! Today we are talking about San Chirico Nuovo, a town in the province of Potenza in Basilicata. This beautiful town has ancient origins and dates back to around the 6th century BC, in a locality called "Serra", which is less than a kilometer away from the current inhabited center.
Archaeological findings
The existence of San Chirico Nuovo is evidenced by numerous archaeological finds found in the area. The Archaeological Superintendent of Potenza has found terracotta vases, a typical armor of Lucanian soldiers, some Roman and Greek coins, and some stones with sepulchral inscriptions.
The latest discoveries are the discovery of two temples (Sacello) dedicated to the goddess Artemis (goddess of the hunt), Demeter (goddess of nature), and Aphrodite (goddess of love). From these findings, it has been ascertained that in the 6th century BC, the site in the locality of Serra was inhabited by North-Lucanian Daunian people.
Roman era
There is no relevant data from the Roman era as the numerous barbarian invasions that occurred in the area repeatedly devastated the territory.
Only funeral inscriptions written in Latin have been found in the areas surrounding the locality of Serra, attesting that the site was also inhabited during this era.
Current San Chirico Nuovo
The current San Chirico Nuovo probably dates back to 960, due to the work of a Greek-Byzantine colony that moved to these parts to escape iconoclastic persecutions in their country. The colony gathered around a tower built by the Byzantines as an outpost and boundary limit from the Lombards.
Over time, other groups of people gathered around the tower, which became so numerous in a short time that there was a need to give themselves a name. The leaders chose the name "Quirico and Giulitta", the name of their saint.
The Greek-Byzantine colony
The Greek-Byzantine colony that settled in San Chirico Nuovo is evidenced by the numerous words present in the local dialect and the appellation of "Griciudd" (Greeks), which is still used today to refer to the citizens of the town.
Feudalism
With the Norman conquest, feudalism also spread in southern Italy, and the defense of San Chirico was included in the county of Tricarico and assigned to the Sanseverino family. In 1160, around the old tower, the Sanseverino family built an imposing castle of which only a tower remains.
Conclusions
Here, friends, is the millennial history of San Chirico Nuovo. A town with ancient origins, attested to by numerous archaeological finds in the area. A Greek-Byzantine colony settled in San Chirico and, with the Normans, the town entered the feudal era. Today, San Chirico Nuovo is a lively and welcoming community that retains its ancient charm intact. Come and discover it!
