Discover Montescaglioso: Tradition, History and Parkland

Montescaglioso can be explored through several themes: the Cucibocca tradition, its architectural and monastic history, and its landscape and archaeology. If you choose a destination based on specific cultural and natural themes, this combination offers several perspectives on the town. When planning your trip, you can first consider whether you are particularly interested in regional traditions, historical sites or the parkland.

Cucibocca and regional tradition

Cucibocca is an ancient and mysterious mask from the Lucanian tradition. Its appearance includes groups of figures who walk through the streets dressed in dark clothes, with long cloaks, thick beards and chains on their feet. The combination of these features defines the image of the tradition; the figures as a group are at its heart. Cucibocca thus offers a different cultural perspective from the town’s architectural and ecclesiastical history: here, the focus is on a traditional group of characters.

Castle and Benedictine history

The Norman Castle of Montescaglioso dates back to the 11th century. It was built to control Porta Maggiore, the most important of the town’s six entrances. Its history is therefore linked to a specifically named town gate. The Benedictine presence offers another historical point of reference: the first written source linking Montescaglioso with a Benedictine presence in its territory dates from 893. In 1099, the church of San Lorenzo is documented as belonging to the Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo. The two dates refer to different contexts: 893 to the earliest written link with the Benedictines, and 1099 to the church’s ownership.

Abbey and planning your visit

The Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo can be reached by private vehicle or by FAL buses. Visiting independently is one of the options offered by the abbey. If you plan to include this option in your trip, check current bus connections and access details in advance: routes, timetables and access information may change. This allows you to plan your journey and visit separately, without assuming a particular itinerary.

Parkland, geology and historical sites

The park covers approximately 800 hectares. Its terraces slope down towards the sea and are covered in dense Mediterranean maquis. The Calanchi di San Biagio and Lama dell'Inferno, considered sites of geological significance, are located within the park. The landscape therefore provides a different focus from the castle and Benedictine sites: here, geology, terrain and vegetation take centre stage.

The park’s archaeological and historical sites include an indigenous settlement dating from the 6th century BC, the Chapel of San Biagio, the remains of medieval sites and the Casone della transumanza. A tratturo crossing the park has also been restored and secured. A visitor route with paths, information boards and signs leads to the main archaeological area. As the condition of the paths should be checked, find out about them locally before setting out. This helps you distinguish between the park’s different themes—landscape, geological sites and historical sites—when planning your visit.

Discover more destinations: Rotondella, Tursi, Ferrandina, Lido Di Scanzano, Aliano, Lido Di Metaponto, Metaponto, Tinchi

For the broader travel overview: Matera.