Muro Lucano

Muro Lucano
—  Comune  —
Comune di Muro Lucano
Panoramic view
Coat of arms
Muro Lucano Location of Muro Lucano in Italy
Coordinates: 40°45′N 15°29′E / 40.75°N 15.483°E / 40.75; 15.483
Country	Italy
Region	Basilicata
Province	Potenza (PZ)
Frazioni	Capodigiano, Casale San Giuliano, Le Marze, Pontegiacoia, Raitiello
Government
– Mayor	Gerardo Mariani
Area
– Total	125 km2 (48.3 sq mi)
Elevation	600 m (1,969 ft)
Population (2009[1])
– Total	5,812
– Density	46.5/km2 (120.4/sq mi)
Demonym	Muresi
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
– Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	85054
Dialing code	0976
Patron saint	St. Gerard Majella
Saint day	September 2
Website	Official website

Muro Lucano is a town and comune in the province of Potenza, in the region of Basilicata, southern Italy.

History

The town is situated on the site of the ancient Numistri, at the foot of the Apennines, the scene of a battle between Hannibal and Marcellus in the second Punic war.

Main sights

The town has a cathedral; and it was in its castle that Queen Joan of Naples was killed by order of her adopted son Charles III of Naples.

Geography

Overview

The town of Muro Lucano is composed by the old town and the surrounding quarters of Cappuccini in the north, and Giardini (meaning gardens) in the south. It is 51 kilometers from Potenza, which is the chief town of the province. It rises 650 metres above sea level, has a surface of 125.7 square kilometers and in 2005 had a population of approximately 6,000. The population, which was over 10,000 in the 1950s, has been shrinking steadily through the years due to social changes, lack of local work and heavy emigration. There are about 2,200 families with an average of close to 2.7 people per family.

The territory of the municipality lies between 300 and 1450 metres above sea level. The altimetric span is thus of 1100 metres, and the town rises on a slope over the Muro ravine, with picturesque houses built on terraces, and its name comes from the medieval wall (in Italian muro) that surrounded the medieval center.

Dialect

The town's dialect is called Murese. This dialect is exclusive to the town and is often intelligible to Italian speakers. It is believed to have originated from the Oscan language.

Notable people

• Antonio Rosario Mennonna
• Gerard Majella
• Joseph Stella
• Cristian Zaccardo ^[2]
• Anne Bancroft ^[3]
• Ron Galella ^[4]

Twin towns

• Contursi Terme, Italy

References

1. ^ Source: Istat 2009 (Italian)
2. ^ His parents were native of Muro
3. ^ Her mother was native of Muro
4. ^ His farher was native of Muro

External links

Media related to Muro Lucano at Wikimedia Commons