Montalbano Jonico: Calanchi, Geology and Cultural Heritage

Discover Montalbano Jonico through its distinctive natural and cultural features: the geological world of the Calanchi, trails with varied historical connections, and the town’s heritage. If you are planning a stay and looking for a hotel in Montalbano Jonico, these highlights can help you include nature, local history and the dates of the patron saint’s festival in your travel plans.

Calanchi, Geology and Landscape

The Riserva Regionale dei Calanchi di Montalbano regional reserve was established under Regional Law 3/2011. In the wider Calanchi Lucani area, the landscapes provide resting and breeding grounds for various bird species; this extensive area is recognised at European level as an Important Bird Area (IBA).

Tempa Petrolla is a striking geological feature. This geosite is an isolated rocky spur rising from a clay-dominated landscape. From the summit, there are panoramic views in every direction. Here, the shape of the rocky outcrop and the all-round view are two distinct aspects of the same place.

The names of the routes also point to different stories of the landscape. The “Da Montalbano a Tempa Petrolla” route passes through the old town to the start of the “Appiett u Castiedd” trail. This old transhumance route connected Montalbano Jonico with the royal Metaponto tratturo.

The old mule track “Appiett’ u mulin” is associated with a geological sequence: it shows a transition from clay to sandstone and then conglomerates. This change indicates a transition from a deep-sea environment to a shallow beach environment. The landscape is therefore interesting not only for its present-day appearance, but also for the changes in past environments that can be read in its rocks.

Another geological feature concerns the Montalbano Jonico section. It was proposed as an international reference section for the stratotype of the Lower–Middle Pleistocene boundary. Its proposed status is part of this scientific designation.

Local History, Trails and Cultural Heritage

Porta dell’Orologio, also known as Porta Castello, provides access to the Terravecchia district. Narrow streets, passageways and arches of Arab-Norman origin characterise the district. Starting from a different point, the historical and cultural itinerary of Parco Letterario Francesco Lomonaco begins at Porta Pandosia or Arco di San Pietro and passes by Casa Lomonaco.

Parco Letterario Francesco Lomonaco is a virtual park connected to a real place. Its themes include alleys, streets and squares, as well as people, notable figures, books, manuscripts, stories, events and memories. The itinerary and the virtual park thus offer different ways to explore the literary and historical heritage.

The Church and Cloister of San Rocco are the surviving remains of an old Capuchin monastery, probably built in 1601. The church contains an 18th-century oil painting of the Visitation by Caravesi and a wooden statue of Saint Roch, also from the 18th century. The Chiesa Madre S. Maria d’Episcopio was rebuilt in the first half of the 18th century; an organ dating from 1785 stands above the main altar.

Palazzo Rondinelli houses a library and an art gallery. The building also includes an old collection and a historic garden. Alongside the churches, gateways and literary park, it reveals further aspects of the local cultural heritage, which are not limited to a single period or type of collection.

San Maurizio in September

The San Maurizio patron saint’s festival takes place every year from 19 to 23 September. During the procession, the saint is carried through the streets of Montalbano in a boat decorated with flowers and grain. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the current programme before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Tinchi, Salandra, Marina Di Pisticci, Pisticci, Policoro, Lido Di Metaponto, Pomarico, Matera.

Go to the main travel guide: Matera.