Stigliano

Infobox CityIT
official_name = Comune di Stigliano
img_coa = Stigliano-Stemma.png img_coa_small =


image_caption =
region = RegioneIT|sigla=BAS
province = ProvinciaIT (short form)|sigla=MT (MT)
mayor =
mayor_party =
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 909
area_footnotes =
area_total_km2 = 209
population_footnotes =
population_as_of = 31-12-06
population_total = 5429
pop_density_footnotes =
population_density_km2 = 24,7
coordinates = coord|40|24|0|N|16|14|0|E|region:IT_type:city(5429)
gentilic = Stiglianesi
telephone = 0835
postalcode = 75018
frazioni = Calvera, Caputo, Carpinello, Gannano, Santo Spirito, Serra di Croce
saint = Sant'Antonio di Padova
day = 13 June
mapx = #expr:40 + 24 / 60.0
mapy = #expr:16 + 14 / 60.0
locator_position =
native_name = Stigliano
name = Stigliano
website = http://www.comune.stigliano.mt.it/

Stigliano is a town and "comune" in the province of Matera, in the Basilicata region of southern Italy.

Geography

The town is bordered by Accettura, Aliano, Cirigliano, Craco, Gorgoglione, Montalbano Jonico, San Mauro Forte, Sant'Arcangelo and Tursi.

History

Pre-Roman

The history of Stigliano has been documented with research dating it back to over 2,000 years ago. This is confirmed by the existence of ruins of what were once walls (castellieri), built to protect the early settlements, one of which, known as Siena Vecchia, has been excavated, but its true origins have still to be confirmed. Research suggests, the Etruscan population in panic, when retreating from invading Galli Senoni, could have built it. These invaders belonged to a Celtic tribe whose presence can also be confirmed by some local names, such as the name of the village Brenna, close to Stigliano. Brenno was the name of the Senoni leader. The name of the local River Merse, which flows behind Stigliano, is considered directly related to Merseburg, a town in the East of Germany.

The most valuable and credible of the few finds, supporting the theory of inhabitants in the area dating back to the Iron Age, are the remains of a little forge with traces of iron ore, a metal fairly common in the Merse valley.

During the Etruscan period the River Merse and its valley, represented a perfect natural way of communication, it also developed wealth for the vicinity leading directly into the heart of the mining area where metals soon would be extracted.

Roman

Although very little is know of Stigliano during the Roman times, the name of “Sextilianum” which appears in records later, seems good enough evidence to attribute Roman existence.

Middle Ages

In the early Middle Ages, it also seems to have lost its identity, apart from documentation noting it as one of the many castles that was a part of the Ardenhesca consortium.

However, in the 14th century, Stigliano was probably the hub of the network of roads crossing the region, one such road to Massa Marittima and another, following the River Rosia to the Maremma. All routes passed through the village of Torri and Stigliano and in the woods behind Stigliano there are still traces of these thoroughfares where so many people journeyed so many years ago.

Directly behind Palazzo Stigliano, near Campalfi, there were two important junctions. One branch took three routes, one crossing the River Merse leading to Brenna, another continued in the direction of Chuisi and Umbria and a third down towards the coast and the Maremma. The other branch off the junction went towards the valley of the tributary Ricausa and the town of Frossini, it then turned towards the sea to Castiglione della Pescaia and the Etruscan area of Populonia.

The monastery at Torri was the instigator for the economical growth and development of the area in the Middle Ages. The monks, with their engineering insight, carried out an interesting agricultural and industrial revolution, in the draining of the marshes and the introduction of water mills along the River Merse. Little settlements, as well as Stigliano expanded and some of these villages are still enjoying the natural surrounds of the area today: Poggiarello, Borgolozzi, Poggio, Il Pozzo, Monte Stigliano, Pieggia, Valli and Serravalle.

The abundance of water and natural source of energy influenced the development of Stigliano, which saw a great increase in industry and crafts during the 13th century. This is of particular importance in relation to Siena, a major city but with no river or natural resources of its own. The first established industry was that of the Wool Masters “The Follatura”, who signed a contract with the monks at Torri to develop the natural springs, into a series of aqueducts, one of which still serves the Comune of Sovicille today. The straight dirt track which goes to San Rocco a Pilli was also made at this time.

The river was also diverted to create space for construction of two large mills “Sassa” and “Volta”. These mills were indispensable for the production of flour to supply Siena. This intricate mediaeval hydraulic system stretched for kilometers and it became one of the most important technical achievements of the Middle Ages in Tuscany.

During this era, Stigliano had its own Comune or Council, owning large areas of woodland and granting permits for allotments to its inhabitants, not only to farmers but also commercial entrepreneurs and merchants. There are documents recording deals of land exchanges with the Sienese, as far back at the 13th century. Unfortunately after the plague of 1348 and the subsequent decline of the population these achievements were neglected and even the revival of agriculture in the 18th century did not compare with the thriving centre in mediaeval times. The plague and its consequences of the “compangnie di ventura” the plundering of the countryside, completely ruined the synergy between “City and Land” and the same sense of stability or parity has never been felt since.

Notes and references