Things to see · Villages and old towns
Rabatana of Tursi
Tursi (Matera)
Rabatana of Tursi is in Tursi, province of Matera. Opening hours: Always accessible. Admission: Free.
- Free.
- Always accessible.
About this place
The Rabatana is the oldest district of Tursi, perched on top of a hill surrounded by deep clay gullies. The name comes from Arabic and recalls the Saracens who occupied the village.
History
The district grew up around a castle built by the Goths between the 5th and 6th centuries. With the Saracens, in the 9th and 10th centuries, it took the form of a fortified village. Of the castle, which had a square plan with four round towers, only a few remains survive today. Objects found during the excavations are on display at the Siritide National Archaeological Museum (National Archaeological Museum of the Siritide) in Policoro.
What to see
• The «petrizze», the stone staircase built in 1594 by Duke Carlo Doria: it is the main route up to the district.
• The church of Santa Maria Maggiore, with its 16th-century stone presepe (nativity scene).
• The alleyways and stone houses, many abandoned and partly restored.
• The view from the Picciarello viewpoint over the calanchi and the Agri valley.
Useful information
• The climb is steep: comfortable shoes are best.
• At Christmas the Rabatana hosts the presepe vivente (living nativity scene).
• In the town there is also the Cathedral of the Annunziata and the house museum of Albino Pierro, which the poet wrote about in many of his verses.
