Aliano, Mountain commune in Basilicata, Italy
Aliano is a small commune in Matera province in southern Italy situated on clay hills at approximately 555 meters elevation. The settlement is surrounded by deep ravines called calanchi that shape the dramatic terrain.
The settlement first appeared in recorded history through a papal bull from 1060 when the Bishop of Tricarico gained administrative authority over the area. This early ecclesiastical connection shaped how the place developed for centuries afterward.
The town hosts annual carnival traditions where residents create elaborate papier-mâché masks and participate in festive rituals that have shaped local identity for generations. These celebrations remain central to how people here mark the seasons and connect with their past.
The settlement sits on hillside terrain that is best explored on foot through narrow streets adapted to the local topography. Visitors should plan for walking that requires stamina given the elevated and sloping landscape.
Many traditional houses feature windows designed to resemble burning eyes when lit from inside, a distinctive local architectural detail. This intentional window design was believed to ward off harmful forces according to traditional beliefs.
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