Bernalda

Bernalda (Metapontino: Vernàlle or Bernàlle) is a town and comune in the province of Matera, in the Southern Italian region of Basilicata. The frazione of Metaponto is the site of the ancient city of Metapontum.

Bernalda
Comune
Comune di Bernalda
Castle of Bernalda
Location of Bernalda
Bernalda
Location of Bernalda in Italy
Bernalda
Bernalda (Basilicata)
Coordinates: 40°25′N 16°41′E
CountryItaly
RegionBasilicata
ProvinceMatera (MT)
FrazioniMetaponto, Serra Marina, Spineto
Government
 • MayorDomenico Raffaele Tataranno
Area
 • Total126.19 km2 (48.72 sq mi)
Elevation
127 m (417 ft)
Population
 (31 December 2015)[2]
 • Total12,453
 • Density99/km2 (260/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Bernaldesi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
75012
Dialing code0835
Patron saintSt. Bernardino of Siena
Saint day20 May, 23 August
WebsiteOfficial website

Until the 15th century, it was called Camarda. It is home to a castle built in the 15th century during the Aragonese rule in the Kingdom of Naples.

The patron Saint of Bernalda is Saint Bernardino of Siena. The celebration of Saint Bernardino is on 20 May and on 23 August.

Main sights

Religious buildings
  • Mother Church, built in the 1530s by Bernardino de Bernaudo. Originally the church was very small with only one nave. During the XVII, the church was built up with a second nave. In the church there were: a cemetery for priests under the choir, and a second cemetery, near the baptismal font, for children who died within the seventh year of life. The church was refurbished in the 1950s, 1960s and 2000s.
  • Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel: this church was subject to at least two or three refurbishments and amplifications, before obtaining the current appearance. In 1678 the church was received an altar with the image of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel painted on the wall. In the second half of the 19th century, it was enlarged to accommodate the statues and a big wooden 17th-century crucifix.
  • Convent Church. The Convent of St. Antonio from Padova, with the attached church, was founded in 1616. At the time of the titling of the church, two factions arranged among the observants: a part that wanted to dedicate the church to the Immaculate, the other one to St. Antonio from Padova. The fate chose St. Antonio. The current front of the church was built in the 19th century. After the Italian unification many properties, often of historical importance and owned by the Ecclesiastical Fund, became state assets. So that the monks made over their convent to the Municipal offices. In the right nave is located the 19th-century crucifix.

Other sights

The castle was probably built by the Normans in the 11th century and restored by the Aragonese during their domination, when it was enlarged, fortified and protected with a moat and a drawbridge. On the west side there is a thin square tower considered more ancient than the other towers of round shape. The façade of the Castle that overlooks the Mother Church is the result of a later restoration.

Palaces include:

  • Palazzo Margherita
  • Palazzo Dell'Osso
  • Palazzo Fischetti
  • Palazzo Lacava
  • Palazzo Guida
  • Palazzo Appio

Notable family
  • Coppola family

Twin towns – sister cities

Bernalda is twinned with:

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  1. "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Istat. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Istat. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
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