Town in the province of Potenza, situated on a ridge between the rivers Agri and Sinni, Roccanova features a typically medieval urban structure. It is also famous for its vast vineyards, that produce fine wines, such as: Grottino of Roccanova, that by the local traditions, are still preserved, in wooden barrels in the tuff rock caverns and cellars.
It was mentioned for the first time in an official document of 1276 and in Norman times it was an important stronghold of County of Chiaromonte. In the XII century it became fief of the Rinaldo, and shortly after, the town was ceded by Charles I of Anjou to Guglielmo della Marra, then to the Carafa and finally to the Colonna of Stigliano.
Recent excavations have unearthed many relics from the VII to IV centuries B.C., confirming that the area was inhabited by Greek settlers. These findings are partly preserved in the Museum of Siris in Policoro and partly in the Museum of Taranto.
Sites of Interest:
- the Church of St. Nicholas of Bari, built in the XII century. Seriously damaged, at the beginning of the XX century, by an earthquake, it was rebuilt, in 1980. Inside it houses a wooden group statue representing the Annunciation, by the sculptor Patalano (1707);
- the XVIII century Church of San Rocco;
- the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (XV century);
- the Sanctuary of Madonna della Serra, whose history is tied to the statue of Our Lady of Water, now preserved in the Church of St. Rocco;
- the Monastery of the Orsoleo, on the border between Roccanova and Sant'Arcangelo, whose construction began in 1474;
- the ruins of the Abbey of San Nilo (XIV century).