San Costantino Albanese
Welcome to San Costantino Albanese!
Hello friends! Today I want to introduce you to a special place in Italy: San Costantino Albanese. This municipality, located in the region of Basilicata, has a unique history and a particular atmosphere that will make you feel right at home.
Physical geography
San Costantino Albanese is located in the beautiful Val Sarmento, in the heart of the Pollino National Park. The area around the municipality is predominantly mountainous and part of the Pollino Massif. Here you can enjoy the unspoiled nature of southern Italy and breathe fresh and clean air, immersing yourself in the lush vegetation of the Mediterranean maquis.
History
The history of San Costantino Albanese is very interesting. In 1534, Albanian populations, called "arbëreshë", migrated from Epirus, Attica, and Morea to escape the Ottoman Empire and settled in this area. Here, they maintained their cultural, religious, and linguistic identity, still speaking the "arbërishtë" language today as their mother tongue.
San Costantino Albanese was a small village based on agricultural economy with crops of chestnuts, olives, flax, broom, and cotton. In the following centuries, the municipality was rewarded by Spanish rulers with some privileges, such as exemption from taxes and fiscal burdens for its participation in battles against the Turks.
Culture
San Costantino Albanese is a cultural oasis in southern Italy. Here you can visit the Church of San Costantino, dating back to the seventeenth century, which has the typical features of Byzantine churches. Magnificent icons and decorations engraved on wood and tiles can be admired on the walls.
The Municipality of San Costantino Albanese promotes administrative bilingualism and the preservation of "arbëreshë" cultural traditions. In fact, local cultural and religious events such as the Feast of St. George and the Procession of Candelieri still preserve the Byzantine rite and "arbërishtë" language today.
Cuisine
The cuisine of San Costantino Albanese is delicious and will make you discover authentic flavors of southern Italy. You can taste typical Albanian dishes of the tradition such as "sarapecë" (a kind of polenta), vegetable soups, "qofte" (baked or pan-fried meatballs), "bakllasë" (fish spaghetti), and many other dishes.
Do not forget to taste local products such as olive oil, wine, honey, and typical cheeses of the municipality. The cuisine of San Costantino Albanese is a feast for the palate and a culinary experience not to be missed!
Conclusion
San Costantino Albanese is a unique place in southern Italy, where nature, history, culture, and tradition intertwine in a magical way. Its geographical location and proximity to the Pollino National Park make it an ideal place for nature lovers and outdoor activities.
But San Costantino Albanese is also a place where you can get to know an ancient and traditional culture, immersing yourself in the "arbërishtë" language and participating in local cultural and religious festivals.
In conclusion, the Municipality of San Costantino Albanese welcomes you with open arms to discover the beauty of southern Italy and the "arbëreshë" culture. Come and visit us and feel at home!
