Valsinni
| Valsinni | ||
|---|---|---|
| Comune | ||
| Comune di Valsinni | ||
| ||
  Valsinni Location of Valsinni in Italy | ||
| Coordinates: 40°10′N 16°27′E / 40.167°N 16.450°E | ||
| Country | Italy | |
| Region | Basilicata | |
| Province | Matera (MT) | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Gennaro Olivieri | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 31 km2 (12 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 250 m (820 ft) | |
| Population (2006) | ||
| • Total | 1,708 | |
| • Density | 55/km2 (140/sq mi) | |
| Demonym(s) | Valsinnesi | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
| Postal code | 75029 | |
| Dialing code | 0835 | |
| Patron saint | Saint Fabian, Madonna del Carmine | |
| Saint day | 10 May, 21 July | |
Valsinni is a village and comune in the province of Matera, in the Basilicata region of southern Italy.
The village is bordered by Colobraro, Nocara, Noepoli, Nova Siri, Rotondella and San Giorgio Lucano.
History
The territory of the "comune" includes the ruins of the ancient city of Lagaria. Its most famous buildings which are part of Valsinni's heritage are: the Castle, dating back to the 11th century, where the Italian Renaissance poet Isabella Morra was born, lived and died, the Palazzo Melidoro, the Chiesa Madre (mother church) of medieval origins dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, and the Chiesa dell'Annunziata from the 17th century.
Economy
The town has an ancient tradition of millers, whose symbol is the mill of Palazzo Mauri, which is still supplied with large stone wheels. The economy of the town is mostly based on agriculture and livestock breeding.
Festivals
Major festival of Valsinni is on the 9th and 10th of May when there is a religious procession for the patron Saint Fabian. L'estate di Isabella is an important event held every summer in the month of August to honor Renaissance poet Isabella Morra. This event is organized by the ProLoco di Valsinni and the Parco Letterario Morra in collaboration with the local government of Comune di Valsinni. It brings many tourists to Valsinni who enjoy theatre plays, visits to the Castello Morra, walking tours of the old town "il borgo medievale", and songs and music from the middle ages and renaissance periods.
People
Isabella Morra, the 16th century writer and poet, came from Valsinni when it was known as Favale San Cataldo. The name of Favale was change to Valsinni in the year 1873.
Dr. Jay M. Arena was born to parents from Valsinni, Italy. Dr. Arena invented child safety caps for medicine bottles and was also one of the first Americans to visit China in 1972.
