Vietri di Potenza
Welcome to Vietri di Potenza, the "gateway to Basilicata"
Hello everyone! Today I will be talking about Vietri di Potenza, a small town in the province of Potenza in Basilicata. With its population of 2662 people, Vietri di Potenza is a perfect place for those seeking tranquility and peace. Thanks to its geographical location, being the first Lucanian town to be crossed by those coming from Campania, it has been called the "gateway to Basilicata".
Discovering the physical geography of Vietri di Potenza
The town is located on the top of a hill, 305 meters above sea level, near the Campania border. It is the last Lucanian town in its geographic location bordering the province of Salerno.
The history of Vietri di Potenza and its honors
Vietri di Potenza has been awarded the title of "City of Oil" by the National Association of City of Oil and the "Gold Medal of Civil Merit" for the earthquake of November 23, 1980.
Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, then President of the Republic, presented this important honor to the then mayor of Vietri di Potenza, Felice Grande, in recognition of the great spirit of sacrifice and civic commitment demonstrated by the citizens during the difficult period of reconstruction.
Monuments and places of interest not to be missed
If you find yourself in Vietri di Potenza, you cannot miss a visit to its monuments and places of interest. Among the military architectures, there are the defensive walls (now in ruins) and the Monument of the Fallen, located in Piazza del Popolo.
Among the civil architectures, on the other hand, you can admire the Clock Tower, the Briganti Palace, the Taglianetti-Capuano Palace, the Iovine Palace, the Di Stasio-Spremolla Palace, the Fountain-Laundry and the Cesare Grotto Fountain.
Among the religious architectures, the mother church of San Nicola di Mira, the Church of San Giuseppe, the Church of San Michele, the Church of the Santissima Annunziata, the Church of the Madonna del Carmine and the Church of the Madonna delle Grazie stand out, as well as the Convent of the Capuchin Friars, dating back to 1652.
Society in Vietri di Potenza
As for the demographic evolution, there is a slight decrease in population in Vietri di Potenza. As of December 31, 2007, 23 foreign citizens were resident.
The economy of Vietri di Potenza and its typical products
The economy of Vietri di Potenza is mainly based on agriculture, and one of the typical products of the area is the Cornacchiola olive, which has made the town famous as the "City of Oil". The Cornacchiola olive has good productivity and its harvesting begins in November. Although it is a type of olive that is not resistant to scab, it is very resistant to flies and peacock eyes.
The process of harvesting Cornacchiola olives involves selecting the best olives for preservation and table consumption, then they are salted with fine salt and mixed several times a day for about five or six days before taking the olives to the mill. The produced oil is very sweet and is a product with a mature light fruity flavor.
There you have it, I hope I have conveyed to you all the love for Vietri di Potenza and have given you a little more knowledge about this small town that, with its hidden treasures, will conquer you. Come and visit us!
