Mandarra Park and street art, Stigliano

Stigliano has become a small open-air gallery: among the houses of the historic centre there are dozens of murals and street art works, and just outside the centre the Mandarra Park uses its sculptures to tell the myths and legends of the town.

Mandarra Park

The park takes its name from the Mandarra, one of the best-known figures in Stigliano’s legends: a giant witch who, according to the story, caught unwary travellers between her legs. The large statue of the Mandarra, seated on a low wall, is joined by other figures:
• the Monacelli, eight kindly little spirits who bring gifts, such as the rooster of foresight and the bull of strength;
• the heads of the wandering souls, which seem to emerge from the ground;
• a falcon, a tortoise and the brigand Carmine Crocco;
• forest animals carved into the trunks of the trees.

The iron and concrete sculptures are the work of Mario Sansone. From the park’s viewpoint you can see the calanchi (badlands), the neighbouring towns and, on clear days, Matera.

The murals

Walking through the historic centre, you will come across works by Italian and international artists, including the Spanish artist Borondo, with his ghostly figures painted on a ruin, and the Amazonas sisters’ duo, with a woman in mourning inspired by a photograph by Franco Pinna. Other works tell the legend of the dragon, the Mandarra and the brigand Crocco.

How to visit

Entry to the park is free and it is also suitable for children. For the murals, it is best to leave your car and explore the historic centre on foot, climbing towards the Mother Church.

Useful information

• In August the town stages «La leggenda del drago» (The Legend of the Dragon) and the giostra dei cavalli e cavalieri (horse and knight joust).
• Please respect the park: use the bins and do not climb on the sculptures.
• In the surrounding area you can visit Gorgoglione and Cirigliano.