Bernalda stands on a hill overlooking the Metaponto plain, on a strip of land between the Basento and Bradano rivers.
Its origins date back to the arrival of Greek colonists in Lucania, but it was only with the arrival of the Dorians in 207 BC that the first urban center was formed, which was given the name Camarda. Camarda was a hamlet and therefore enjoyed a certain autonomy. It was primarily inhabited by farmers and shepherds and was administered by powerful local lords. This remained the case until 1378, when a violent earthquake destroyed the entire village, which began to see a new lease of life with the arrival of the Aragonese. In the 16th century, King Alfonso II of Aragon assigned this fiefdom to his secretary, one Bernardino de Bernaudo, who built the castle on the site of a Norman tower, later incorporated into the construction. De Bernaudo subsequently protected the village by surrounding it with a wall punctuated by watchtowers, creating a historic center resembling a grid. In the 15th century, the mother church, known as the 'convent church', was also built and dedicated to San Bernardino da Siena, the patron saint of the village.
Over time Camarda became Bernuda, then Terra Bernaudi and only finally took the name of Bernalda.
In the eighteenth century, a new building push led to the creation of the new village, which arose between Porta Maggiore and the convent of Sant'Antonio.
The modern and contemporary history of this Lucanian village is marked by often violent struggles over land and forests between Bernalda, Montescaglioso, and Pisticci. The conflicts only came to an end in 1978, when the land was finally assigned to the farmers.
During the 19th century, the town's poor sanitation caused numerous epidemics among the population, including a cholera outbreak, which, according to popular belief, was ended by the intercession of Saint Bernardino. At the end of the century, the economic crisis led a large number of Bernalda families to emigrate to America, following a wave of migration that affected the entire southern Italy.
In 1932 Metaponto was taken from Montescaglioso and Pisticci and became a hamlet of Bernalda. In this context, the fascist regime began a reclamation of the territory, which was characterized by malarial areas.
The second half of the twentieth century was marked by a second wave of migration, this time toward northern Italy, Germany, and Switzerland. Despite this, even those who decided to stay in Bernalda managed to find employment without major difficulty thanks to the numerous factories that opened in the Basento Valley during that period.
Metaponto
In 1932, Metaponto became a district of Bernalda. Basilicata is rich in areas of outstanding natural beauty, characterized by barren landscapes, expanses of Mediterranean scrub, imposing mountains, and the clayey hills of the gullies, but it certainly cannot be described as a coastal region. The only famous town overlooking the sea, specifically the Ionian Sea, is Metaponto.
Metaponto is characterized by wide, sandy beaches and a sea suitable for water sports such as sailing. Sport fishing is also popular in the area near the mouths of the Basento and Bradano rivers.
Metaponto is not only a seaside resort, but also a place rich in history and culture.
Metaponto was founded in the 7th century BC by Greek colonists who arrived in the plain, in the portion of territory now known as 'Magna Graecia'. During this period, Metaponto experienced remarkable growth, becoming one of the most important colonies in Southern Italy, thanks to its fertile lands that guaranteed significant grain production.
The beginning of Roman rule coincided with the beginning of a period of decline, accentuated by the continuous flooding of the rivers which led to the depopulation of the inhabited centre.
Today Metaponto is also visited for its archaeological park.
Metaponto Archaeological Park
The Metaponto Archaeological Park is one of the most evocative places in Basilicata, giving the impression of having traveled back in time, immersing yourself in classical culture and Hellenic taste.
In the Metaponto Archaeological Park, one can imagine the discussions of the polis, which took place in the agora , before moving to what remains of the sacred area. Two large colonnades mark the presence of the Temple of the Palatine Tables. This temple dates back to the 6th century BC and was dedicated to Hera, protector of the borders, and was built near a sacred spring. Today, one can admire two rows of columns, twelve on one side and six on the other, all in the Doric style.
Although it is the only one whose colonnade can still be seen, the Temple of the Palatine Tables was not the only one in the area. The remains of other temples have been discovered nearby. One dates back to the 6th century BC and was dedicated to Athena, another to Apollo from 570 BC, and finally, what must have been the most imposing of all, built in 470 BC and dedicated to Aphrodite.
The ancient Greek polis was enclosed by a wall, dating back to the 6th century BC and subsequently remodeled in the 4th century BC, marked by several monumental entrances.
Recent archaeological studies have also brought to light the remains of some farms that were built outside the walls and testify to the presence of an extramoenia .
Aragonese Castle of Bernalda
Bernalda Castle stands on a strategic point overlooking the Basento Valley, an ideal location for building a fortress.
The presence of a square tower dating back to the Norman era indicates the presence of a previous defensive structure that was likely severely damaged by the frequent earthquakes that struck the area. For this reason, during the Aragonese era, a complete reconstruction of the fortress was deemed necessary.
The castle was built at the behest of Bernaudo de Bernardi, secretary to Alfonso II of Aragon. It had a quadrangular plan, with four cylindrical corner towers, the only surviving remains of the Norman fortress. Continuous renovations have undoubtedly diminished the original structure, and today only three towers remain.
During the construction period, the threat of siege was likely imminent, which is why de Bernaudi had fourteen wells built inside the castle to ensure a water supply in case of attack. Furthermore, underground tunnels were dug to allow for escape from enemies, some of which were very long, such as the one leading to the Basento valley.
Today, some rooms of the Aragonese castle of Bernalda house the municipal art gallery.
Mother Church
The mother church of Bernalda was built in 1530 by order of the feudal lord, the Duke of Bernauda, who dedicated it to Saint Bernardino of Siena.
Although it has undergone many renovations over the centuries, this place of worship has always been characterized by a sober and essential style.
From some historical documents, we know that the church originally had a single nave, with three altars, and the side aisles were built later. The right aisle coincides with what was once the sacristy, while the left aisle was built in the 18th century.
From an inventory of the Bishop of Matera, dating back to the 18th century, it was possible to glean an idea of the church's structure at that time: it must have consisted of eight altars and seven chapels, with a tall bell tower with two bells. During the Age of Enlightenment, the Mother Church housed the robe of Saint Bernardino, some relics of Saint Donatus, and the bones of Saints Faustino and Vito. It also had an outdoor area containing two cemeteries, one reserved for priests and the other for baptized children under the age of seven.
In the 19th century, some expansion works radically transformed the building, making it the church that can still be admired today.
Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
The Church of the Madonna del Carmine dates back to the 16th century, and was built in a Baroque style to comply with the dictates of the Catholic Counter-Reformation. The church was smaller than its current size, with a single altar featuring a canvas of the Holy Virgin of Carmel, which was destroyed after the building's initial renovation.
A historical document dated 1726 attests that people were buried in the church of the Madonna del Carmine, who had to be brought into the building six hours after death and buried twelve hours later.
In the second half of the nineteenth century, the church underwent further restoration and expansion work. During this period, the crypt of the main altar was excavated, four altars and a two-story bell tower were built.
