Ruvo del Monte, Italian comune
Ruvo del Monte is a small commune in the province of Potenza, situated on a hillside with views of the surrounding landscape. Its narrow, winding streets are lined with old stone buildings, while the Church of Santa Maria Assunta sits on a small rise and the town center organizes around the Church of Sant'Anna.
The town was founded by Byzantines and shows traces of various rulers over the centuries, including Norman and Angevin-Aragonese influences, as evidenced by the still-visible remains of the Gesualdo castle. Archaeological finds point to human settlement from the Neolithic period through the Iron Age, with tombs dating to around 700 BCE.
The town is deeply connected to olive growing, which shapes daily life and local traditions. Visitors notice olive groves everywhere, small gardens with herbs, and neighbors sharing bread dipped in local oil as part of their daily routine.
The town is best explored on foot, as the quiet, safe streets invite wandering and reveal small details like fountains and viewpoints. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the streets are narrow and winding with uphill and downhill sections.
The name Ruvo comes from the Latin word Rufae, which Romans used for this territory, and the suffix 'del Monte' was added in 1863 to distinguish it from Ruvo in Puglia. The archaeological site still holds untapped discoveries from various ages and continues to attract researchers seeking to unlock its secrets.
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