Miglionico, Italian comune
Miglionico is a small town in the province of Matera in the southern Italian region of Basilicata, perched on a hilltop surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. The village features narrow lanes lined with stone houses, dominated by the fortress Castello del Malconsiglio, and includes the church of Santa Maria Maggiore with its 13th-century Romanesque bell tower.
The town emerged during the medieval period and remained under the control of the Sanseverino family for centuries before being granted to Ettore Fieramosca, a renowned soldier, in the 16th century. The fortress may have been constructed by the Normans centuries earlier and served as a key defensive position in the region.
The village name derives from Latin and refers to its hillside position. On Piazza San Giorgio, the main square, locals gather for markets and daily life, showing how the community uses this central space. The celebrations for Saint Peter bring people together each year with processions that reflect customs still practiced by residents.
The town is easily accessible by car, roughly 20 kilometers southwest of Matera via regional roads. For overnight stays, the village offers small inns, farm guesthouses, and bed and breakfast places, providing peaceful accommodation with local character.
Inside the church of Santa Maria Maggiore hangs a striking polyptych painting by Cima da Conegliano from the late 15th century that many visitors overlook. This artwork reflects the artistic connections between this remote community and major Renaissance painters.
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