Castelmezzano

Infobox CityIT
img_coa = Castelmezzano-Stemma.gif
official_name = Comune di Castelmezzano
region = Basilicata
province = Potenza (PZ)
elevation_m =
area_total_km2 = 33
population_as_of =
population_total = 970
population_density_km2 = 29
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|40|38|N|15|38|E
frazioni =
telephone = 0971
postalcode = 85010
gentilic =
saint =
day =
mayor =
website = [http://www.comune.castelmezzano.pz.it/ Comune di Castelmezzano]

Castelmezzano is a town and comune in the province of Potenza, in the Southern Italian region of Basilicata. It is bounded by the comuni of Albano di Lucania, Anzi, Laurenzana, Pietrapertosa, Trivigno.

History

The origins of Castelmezzano are dated to approximately between the sixth and fifth centuries BC, when Greek settlers in the valley of penetrarono Basento and founded a town called Maudoro, meaning roughly the world of gold. In the tenth century AD, the Saracen invasions forced the local population to find a new location. It is said that during the exodus, a pastor called Paolino discovered a place to move, formed by rocks from the steep peaks which could repel the invaders by means of rolling stone boulders on to the invaders.

After occupation by the Lombards, the Normans settled between XI and XIII century AD and built a castle (the remains of which the walls and tier of rocks allowed access to the higher lookout point are still visible). It was from the name of the castle ("Castrum Medianum", roughly means Castle in the Middle) that the town derived it name, the castle so named because of its position between those of Pietrapertosa and Albano di Lucania). With the Normans, Castelmezzano experienced a period of peace and development, until the Angevins experienced a sharp decline. In 1310, the municipality was entrusted to the Diocese of Potenza (PZ) and in 1324 to that of Acerenza.

With the arrival of the Aragonese, between the fourteenth and sixteenth century, many landowners received as Castelmezzano as feudo, although the economic and social conditions remained mostly unchanged. Only with the appointment of Baron Giovanni Antonio De Leonardis (whose family governerned the town from 1580 to 1686), development did take place. Subsequently, passed by marriage to De Lerma, who remained until in 1805, when the feudalism was on the verge of extinction in southern Italy.

In the nineteenth century, Castelmezzano was affected by banditry. Due to its own territorial placement consisting of natural hiding places among the rocks and lush vegetation, it was an ideal refuge for many bandits. At the end of the century, the town suffered a major migratory phenomenon, which prompted many families to move overseas.

External Links

* [http://www.castelmezzano.org/ Selected Transcribed vital records for Castelmezzano]
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/castelmezzano_gen/ Castelmezzano Genealogy yahoo group]