Oliveto Lucano Village

History

The area has been inhabited since very ancient times: between the 6th and 4th centuries BC, the fortified town of Croccia Cognato stood on Monte Croccia. The village already existed in the Norman era and then passed to many feudal lords, from the Knights of Malta to the Diaz Garlon family in the Aragonese period. In 1715 it was bought by the Duke of Castelmezzano, and later it belonged to the Revertera and Riario Sforza families.

What to see

• The feudal castle, with its large portal topped by the Revertera coat of arms.
• The «portoni di Bacco» (“Bacchus gates”) in via delle Grotte: the doors of the cellars, carved with geometric patterns by the village’s master carpenters between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Piazza Umberto I, with colourful ceramic panels by the artist Ugo Annona.
• The historic centre, with stone houses, portals and steep little streets.

Useful information

• From 10 to 12 August, for the feast of San Cipriano, the Maggio is celebrated: a cerro (Turkey oak) and a holly tree top chosen in the Gallipoli Cognato woods are carried into the village and joined in an ancient “marriage of the trees”.
• The village also has the Chiesa Madre della Madonna delle Grazie (Mother Church of Our Lady of Grace). Other villages in the area are featured in the Collina Materana guide.