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Acerenza district
guide
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ACERENZA
(Potenza)
Basilicata - Italy
Altitude:
833 Meters above sea level
Population:
3,009
Distance
from: Potenza 35 - Matera 70 - Bari 120 - Metaponto 110 -
Maratea 156
Acerenza
is situated northeast of Potenza,
a town in the Southern Italian region of Basilicata. It
has a
population of 3.010 inhabitants (Acheruntino) and a surface of
77,2 square kilometers with a density of 38,99 inhabitants per
km2. It rises 833 metres above the sea level.
Being an
agricultural town on top of a rocky promontory and delimited by
the River Bradano it offers a magnificent landscape dominated by
vineyards proof the wealth of this land where the uva aglianico
(a particular kind of grapes) produces a famous local wine.
The rich historical tradition of Acerenza is linked to several
dominations and an archeological site dating back to the VI-IV
century B.C. was discovered stating the presence on this
territory of old settlements; in addition a tomb of the VI
century was found together with a small bronze statue
representing Heracles.
The old
name of Acerenza was Acheruntia, which was the region's capital
for several hundreds of years.
Situated at
800 meters above sea level, the city dominated the Via Appia,
the Appia Traiana and the Via Erculea, and was strategically
positioned to control the entire southeast of the peninsula
Undoubtedly the history of Acerenza is linked with its religious
worship.
The Diocese of Acerenza is one of the oldest and antique in
southern Italy.
It lays
claim to a very early, even Apostolic origin:
records shown that it was found by San Pietro on its pilgrim
from Brindisi to Rome passing through the Via Appia.
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