Valsinni

Valsinni
Comune
Comune di Valsinni
Coat of arms
Location of Valsinni
Valsinni Location of Valsinni in Italy Valsinni Valsinni (Basilicata)
Coordinates: 40°10′N 16°27′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	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.

The town was known as Favale San Cataldo until 1873.

Main sights

Sights include:

• the Castle, dating back to the 11th century, where the Italian Renaissance poet Isabella Morra was born, lived and died
• Palazzo Melidoro
• Mother Church, of medieval origins, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta
• Church of the Annunciation (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.

Culture

The main festival of Valsinni occurs on 9/10 May, including a religious procession for the patron Saint Fabian. Another event is L'estate di Isabella ("Isabella's Summer"), held every summer in the month of August to honor Renaissance poet Isabella Morra.

People

Isabella Morra, the 16th century writer and poet, came from Valsinni, at the time known as Favale .