Discover Tursi

When choosing a destination, Tursi offers several cultural perspectives: the historic settlement of La Rabatana, ecclesiastical architecture, the literary heritage of Albino Pierro, and the Santuario Maria Santissima di Anglona. If you are looking for a hotel in Tursi, you can consider which of these themes you want to shape your stay. Rabatana and the churches point to different historical layers; Pierro’s work is associated with a museum and a literary park. The sanctuary is about ten kilometres from Tursi and provides a distinct landmark in the landscape.

La Rabatana: settlement history and paths

La Rabatana was Tursi’s first inhabited settlement. Deep, inaccessible ravines surround the neighbourhood on all sides. Visitors can follow the paths between the ruins of the original settlement and see the remains of simple houses, often built on a single level. Rabatana thus focuses both on the history of the early settlement and on its architectural remains.

One striking structure is the Gradinata della Rabatana, locally known as the “petrizze”. Carlo Doria, nephew of Andrea Doria and lord of Tursi, had it built at his own expense in 1600. The broad, steep street extends for more than 200 metres along the ravines. When planning your visit, you can take its gradient and length into account; these features make the Gradinata a distinct part of the historic townscape.

Churches and monastery: different historical layers

The Chiesa Santa Maria Maggiore is located in Rabatana and dates from the 10th to 11th century. It was remodelled in the Baroque style in the first half of the 18th century, with only its 15th-century façade preserved. The crypt dates back even further: it is from the 7th to 8th century and housed the bishop’s seat of the Diocese of Tursi in 968. The construction date, remodelling and role of the crypt therefore point to different periods in the history of this church site.

The Convento di San Francesco d’Assisi also adds to the historical picture. It was founded in 1441 and is now a national monument. Together with Santa Maria Maggiore, it shows how different periods coexist in Tursi’s religious heritage: the early crypt, the medieval church, its later Baroque remodelling and the monastery with its own history of foundation.

Albino Pierro: museum and literary park

The Casa Museo “Albino Pierro” is in the historic centre of Tursi, in the San Filippo neighbourhood above Piazza Plebiscito. The building is the former palace of the Pierro family. The Museo della Poesia Pierriana displays paintings, poems, objects and memorabilia from Albino Pierro’s works. The museum therefore brings together different forms of his literary work.

The Parco Letterario Albino Pierro was established in Tursi to promote the memory of the poet and his work, the city’s historical and cultural heritage, and the preservation of the Tursi dialect. The Casa Museo, poetry museum and literary park each have a distinct focus: the historic building, the works on display and the park’s cultural aims.

A booking form is available for visit enquiries to the Casa Museo Albino Pierro or the Museo della Poesia Pierriana. It asks for the visit date, arrival time and number of visitors. If you are planning a visit, confirm the details before your trip.

The Santuario Maria Santissima di Anglona

The Santuario Maria Santissima di Anglona stands on Anglona Hill at 263 metres above sea level, about ten kilometres from Tursi. From there, the view looks out over the Agri and Sinni rivers. The sanctuary thus combines religious significance with a clearly defined connection to the surrounding landscape. Its main feast is held on 8 September.

Its institutional history can also be placed in time: on 17 May 1999, the Santuario was elevated to the rank of a Minor Basilica. This appointment should be distinguished from the older histories of construction and settlement in Tursi. For planning your trip, Rabatana, the churches and the sanctuary therefore offer different thematic points of interest, while their respective historical dates should not be confused.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Salandra, Montalbano Jonico, Lido Di Scanzano, Peschiera, Ferrandina, Montescaglioso, Pisticci, Accettura

For the main travel overview: Matera.