San Fele
Welcome to San Fele: a glimpse into the municipality
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk about San Fele, a small municipality located in the province of Potenza, in Basilicata. With a population of 2,615 inhabitants, San Fele is a quiet and rural place, characterized by the presence of the sanctuary of Santa Maria di Pierno.
But let's take a closer look at what else this municipality has to offer.
Physical Geography
San Fele is located in the northwestern part of Basilicata, at 872 meters above sea level. It is situated between Monte Castello and Monte Torretta and is part of the Vulture Mountain Community. The mountainous location of the village provides breathtaking views of the surroundings.
However, there is one aspect we can't ignore: the seismicity of the area. San Fele is in fact located in an area classified as "1", which means high seismic risk. But this should not worry us, as the municipality has made investments to ensure the safety of its inhabitants.
History
The history of San Fele goes back a long time, when the Ausoni inhabited the territory - as evidenced by the presence of several testimonials in the surrounding area of the municipality. In 969 AD, a fortress castle was built at the behest of Otto I of Saxony, which served as a guard against any sieges by the Byzantines.
One hundred years later, the first inhabited nucleus began to form around the stronghold, which grew and developed along the slopes of Monte Castello, becoming today the Rione Costa neighborhood.
Under the Angevin domination, San Fele was governed by various feudal lords such as Giovanni Gaulard, Drogone di Beaumont, and Guglielmo di Melun. From 1432, the fief passed to the Caracciolo family, which kept it until 1613, when the Doria family took over.
In 1799, the population of San Fele raised the "Albero della libertà", a symbol of resistance to Napoleonic oppression.
Places to visit
San Fele is a rural municipality, so the beauty of the landscape is certainly a great calling card. The sanctuary of Santa Maria di Pierno, immersed in the green of the mountains, is undoubtedly one of the most suggestive places to visit. The sanctuary dates back to 1456 but was destroyed by the earthquake of that year. Reconstructed, it was again destroyed by earthquakes in 1731 and 1980 but was each time restored.
Another interesting destination is the fortress castle, which, although now almost completely destroyed, is part of the history of San Fele. Finally, we cannot fail to mention the mother church, dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua.
Things to do
San Fele offers various outdoor activities, such as mountain trips and walks, to discover nature. But if you want to relax a bit, I recommend the "Parco delle Terme", where there are spas and thermal pools: an ideal place to regenerate the body and mind.
Conclusion
In short, San Fele is a municipality that is worth visiting: its rural location, history, and suggestive places make it a unique place. If you are looking for peace and tranquility, San Fele is the right place for you!
