Stigliano

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Stigliano
Comune
Comune di Stigliano
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Stigliano is located in Italy
Stigliano
Stigliano
Location of Stigliano in Italy
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Country Italy
Region Basilicata
Province / Metropolitan city Matera (MT)
Frazioni Calvera, Caputo, Carpinello, Gannano, Santo Spirito, Serra di Croce
Government
 • Mayor Leonardo Digilio
Area
 • Total 209 km2 (81 sq mi)
Elevation 909 m (2,982 ft)
Population (March 2008)[1]
 • Total 5,037
 • Density 24/km2 (62/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Stiglianesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 75018
Dialing code 0835
Patron saint St. Anthony of Padua
Saint day 13 June
Website Official website
For the village in Tuscany, see Stigliano (Sovicille)

Stigliano is a town and comune in the province of Matera, in the Basilicata region of southern Italy.

History

The town was founded by the Lucani, and later was conquered by the Greek colony of Metaponto. The name is most likely of Roman origin, stemming from the Hostilii family, who owned it. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it fell under the Lombards, and was part of the medieval Principality of Salerno. In 1070 it was given to the bishops of Tricarico.

In 1274 King Charles I of Anjou gave it as a fief to Giacomo di Bosciniano. The powerful Neapolitan family of the Carafa acquired it in 1289. In 1556 the whole fief passed under the Spanish Dukes the Medina, who made it capital of the Basilicata province. In 1806, after the abolition of feudalism, Stigliano went under the direct administration of the Kingdom of Naples and later the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and, in 1861, became part of the newly unified Kingdom of Italy.

During the Fascist era Stigliano was an exile place for Fascist dissidents.

Main sights

  • Convent of St. Anthony. It has a 17th-century Baroque façade with a large bell tower with an Arabic-style dome. The interior is home to 17th-century paintings and of a precious wooden crucifix.
  • Mother Church, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta. IT has numerous works of art, including a 16th-century polyptych attributed to Simone da Firenze, with a statue of the Madonna with paintings of Saints, Angels and Father God. The structure has a notable wooden vault with cupolas in the two aisles. Also peculiar are the 19th century carved wooden choir, the frescoed crypt and a statue of the Vergine Assunta donated to the church in 1522.
  • The castle and remains of the walls.

Twin towns

Notes and references

  1. All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.