Stigliano


Stigliano is a town and comune in the province of Matera, in the Basilicata region of southern Italy.
The name is likely of Byzantine origin, stemming from "Stylianos", a Greek name with a Latin ending.

History

The town was founded by the Lucani, and later was conquered by the Greek colony of Metaponto. During the classical imperial era of the Roman Empire, the town was owned by the Hostilii family. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it fell under the Lombards, and was part of the medieval Principality of Salerno. In 1070 it was given to the bishops of Tricarico.
In 1274 King Charles I of Anjou gave it as a fief to Giacomo di Bosciniano. The powerful Neapolitan family of the Carafa acquired it in 1289. In 1556 the whole fief passed under the Spanish Dukes the Medina, who made it capital of the Basilicata province. In 1806, after the abolition of feudalism, Stigliano went under the direct administration of the Kingdom of Naples and later the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and, in 1861, became part of the newly unified Kingdom of Italy.
During the Fascist era, dissidents were often sent to internal exile in Stigliano.

Main sights