Tursi
Welcome to Tursi, the agricultural city of Basilicata
Hello everyone! Today I would like to talk to you about Tursi, one of the cities in the province of Matera in Basilicata. Yes, you read that right, a city! In fact, Tursi obtained the title of city in 2006 thanks to the President of the Republic, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi. Until then, it was a municipality with just under 5000 inhabitants, but its history and beauty deserved greater recognition.
The history of Tursi
The urban center of Tursi was founded in the fifth century around the castle. By 1561, it was already among the most populous municipalities in the area, while in 1601 it was the city in the province of Basilicata with the largest number of inhabitants. But the history of Tursi dates back even further, to the Byzantine Empire: in 968, in fact, it became the capital of Lucania and the Greek rite bishopric.
During the 18th century, Tursi was the first of the four departments of the then province of Basilicata. Its strategic position, which extended to the Ionian Sea, made it ideal for protecting the Lucanian Ionian coast. Tursi experienced strong economic development thanks to agriculture, which still represents one of the main activities in the area today.
The beauty of Tursi
The territory of Tursi is predominantly hilly and borders to the north with the Agri River and Montalbano Jonico, to the east with Policoro, to the south with the Sinni River and Rotondella, and to the west with Sant'Arcangelo, Colobraro, and Stigliano. The ancient village, called Rabatana, is located on a hill and develops around the castle. The panoramic view from the castle walls is breathtaking, with the Sinni River in the foreground and the entire surrounding valley.
The historic center is naturally defended by three landslides, the "fosso della Palmara" to the north, the "fosso di San Francesco" to the east, and the "fosso della Cattedrale" to the west. Walking through its narrow, cobbled streets is truly suggestive. The residential nucleus of the historic center has an altitude that varies from 400 to 600 meters above sea level, while the modern Piazza Maria SS di Anglona is located at 700 meters above sea level.
Tursi and nature
Tursi is located in the center of two of the four rivers of Basilicata: the Agri and the Sinni, both navigable in the past. The territory of Tursi is rich in vegetation and offers wonderful natural views. In particular, Tursi is famous for the cultivation of "i partajall" oranges, and in particular for the variety "Arancia Staccia", which is grown exclusively between the territories of Tursi and Montalbano Jonico. For nature lovers and hikers, Tursi offers many opportunities for trekking and walks.
Conclusions
In conclusion, if you have the opportunity to visit Basilicata, I recommend spending at least one day in Tursi. It is a city of enchanting beauty, surrounded by nature and rich in history. The panoramic view from the castle is breathtaking, and the narrow streets of the historic center are truly suggestive. Don't miss the opportunity to taste the local oranges, they are truly delicious!
