Ferrandina

Ferrandina is a town and comune in the province of Matera, in the Southern Italian region of Basilicata. In Italy, Ferrandina is famous for producing the highest level of quality olive oil. Sun, stone, drought, silence and solitude: these are the five ingredients that, according to local folk traditions, create the ideal habitat for the olive tree. Geography data The town is located on a 482 metres (1,581 ft) hill in the Basento Valley on the western bank of the river Basento. Ferrandina is part of the "Collina Materana" and it is the fourth biggest town in Basilicata. Towns close are: Pomarico, Miglionico, Salandra, Pisticci, Grottole, San Mauro Forte and Craco. Ferrandin is 35 kilometres (22 mi) from Matera and 77 kilometres (48 mi) from Potenza. Climate The typical collina Materana climate is very hot during the summer and cold and fresh during the winter. Rain fall is concentrated principally from October to May and snow in winter. Also heavy fog in the autumn-winter season. History The towns roots go back as far as Magna Grecia, about 1000 BC. The original name was Troilia while its acropolis was called Obelanon (Uggiano). Troilia was built in memory of the Asia Minor city Troia by the Ancient Greeks. Ferrandina was named in honor of the father of Federico D'Aragona. In 1507 Ferdinando the Catholic, conferred the title of 'Civitas'. Right after, the Dominicans, created an agricultural center specialized in the production of wool, highly valued in the Reign of Naples. In 1546 the Dominicans established the monastery of Saint Dominic with the dome. Ferrandina was part of the 1820 and 1860 rebellions. In March 1862, the brigant leaer Carmine Crocco, confronted and destroyed the Piemontesi troops. In 1921 the Fascist squads killed the lord mayor Nicola Montefinese. In September 1943, Ferrandina rose against the fascists. The farmers rebelled to expel and seize the land of the fascist landlords. The town was cut off from electricity and telephones to confined the protest. The provisional government sent to the city a lot of military. On 4 August the minister Scelba arrived in Ferrandina. In 2003 Ferrandina took part in protest against the Berlusconi government decision to build a nuclear waste center. Main sights Mother Church of St Mary of the Cross was built in 1490 and transformed at the end of the 18th century. The church comprises three '500 century doors and three byzantine domes. The church houses a statue of the Mother with the child and two statues of Ferrante di Aragona and his wife queen Isabella di Chiaromonte. Our Lady of Mount Carmel is located in Purgatorio neighborhood with a '500 century door and arch. It was built by the Dominicans when they arrived from Uggiano. Due to the earthquake the Dominicans abandoned the church and built the church of St Dominic. Cappuccini Convent houses works of art attributed to Pietro Antonio Ferro such as Mother and child and saints Peter and Francis. Saint Chiara Monastery was built in 1688 with a tower that dominates the inner town. the monastery houses the Crucifixion by Pietro Antonio Ferro and a painting of the Immaculate Conception by Francesco Solimena. Saint Dominic Monastery was built in 1517, restored and completed in baroque style in 1760. It houses many paintings from Neapolitan school and '600 century organ, a wooden choir and a marble altar. Saint Francis Convent was founded in 1614 with the church with two isles with the typical Napoleonic splendor. Madonna dei Mali Chapel is a country church with the frescos by Pietro Antonio Ferro from the 17th century. Other churches and chapels: Saint Antonio (1615), Addolorata, Saint Lucy, Our Lady of Loreto and the chapel of St Mary of Consolation. Saint John the Baptist the modern church built in 1990 with stained glass windows, an altar and a marble chapel. References