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Pescopagano

Info
Distance from Potenza: 62 km

Distance from Matera: 160 km

Altitude: 954 m amsl

Postal code: 85020

Inhabitants: 2211 (Pescopaganesi)

Commune in the province of Potenza

This village was one of the sites of the Samnites wars and of Pirro’s expeditions.

This territory was occupied in 555 A.D. by the Goths and later by the Longobards. Between the IX and the X centuries it was several times attacked by the Saracens. In order to avoid their attacks, the inhabitants of this area took shelter on the highest rock. This gave the village its name (‘Castrum Petrae Paganae’ means village built on a fortified rock).

The Clock Tower was built on the ancient ‘Porta Sibilla’. In a niche there is the stone bust of Giano Bifronte, ancient mythological god.

Amongst the several churches, that of San Giovanni Battista is particularly interesting. It was built in 970 and renovated after the earthquake of 1980. Inside, there are some paintings of the XVIII century.

Not far from the village there is the ‘Badia di San Lorenzo in Tufara’, seriously damaged by a fire and renovated by Cesare Gesualdo.