Rivello, Italian comune
Rivello is a small commune in the province of Potenza in southern Italy, situated on a hill about 1,575 feet (480 m) above sea level with views across the Noce valley and nearby mountains. The village comprises stone buildings with narrow winding streets and several churches including the Convent of Sant'Antonio from the 1400s featuring works by Girolamo Todisco and the Church of San Nicola di Bari with its underground crypt.
The settlement was contested by Byzantines and Longobards, both building fortification walls to secure control of the land and its strategic position. This rivalry left architectural marks as the town long remained divided into two sections: one centered on a Latin church and another on a Greek church that preserved Byzantine features.
The town displays deep religious traditions through small chapels and votive statues scattered along its pathways, showing how faith shaped daily life here. Churches blend Byzantine and Latin influences, reflecting centuries of spiritual practice embedded in the community's identity.
The town is most easily reached by car, exiting the A2 highway at Lagonegro Nord and following the SS 585 road for a few kilometers to arrive. Narrow and winding mountain roads demand careful driving but convey the village's remote and peaceful setting within the southern region.
The village appears from certain viewpoints like a traditional Italian nativity scene, and it was historically known for craftwork with copper, gold, and silver. Today a specialty craft beer called BYKES is produced locally using water sourced from nearby mountain springs.
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