Of very ancient origins, as documented by archaeological excavations. Here they left their mark; Samnites, Romans, Jews, Goths, Lombards, Saracens, Byzantines, Normans, Swabians, Angevins, Aragonese and Spaniards... #tuttitaly
Venosa, a city located in the Basilicata region, has a rich and fascinating history dating back to ancient Rome.
Background
In 291 BC, Venosa was conquered by the Romans against the Samnites, and from that moment on its history was closely linked to that of Rome. Venosa became a "Municipium", a Roman city, and this membership was increasingly consolidated between 89 BC. and 43 BC. During this period, one of the greatest Latin poets, Quintus Horace Flaccus, was born in 65 BC. He spent his childhood in Venosa and began his grammar studies here, which he then continued in Rome.
Another significant moment in the history of Venosa was the establishment of a Jewish colony starting from 70 AD. This testifies to the coexistence between different ethnic groups, an extraordinary phenomenon for the time. Even today it is possible to visit the Jewish and Christian tombs on the Maddalena hill, just outside the fortified walls.
In the early Middle Ages, Venosa was dominated by the Lombards, followed by the Saracens and then by the Byzantines.
During the Norman domination and the Benedictine presence, the Complex of the Holy Trinity, the most important historical monument of the city, developed
With the arrival of the Angevins, Venosa passed to the Orsini and it was Duke Pirro del Balzo who built the Castle between 1460 and 1470, together with the Cathedral of Sant'Andrea, which was completed in 1502 and consecrated in 1531.
Subsequently, the city passed to the Gesualdo, feudal lords and Princes of Venosa.
During this period, important cultural figures emerged such as the poet Luigi Tansillo (1510-1580), the jurist Giovanni Batista De Luca (1614-1683) and the controversial Prince Carlo Gesualdo of Venosa
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Venosa passed from the Ludovisi to the Caracciolo family. In 1820, the city became involved in the Carboneria movement, a secret organization fighting for Italian independence. With the Unification of Italy in 1861, Venosa was conquered by brigands led by Carmine Crocco, known as the "Rionerese".
Conclusion
Venosa is a city that boasts a thousand-year history, with roots that date back to ancient Rome. The presence of important figures such as Quinto Orazio Flacco and the coexistence between different ethnic groups testify to the cultural and social richness of this city. Historic monuments, such as the Holy Trinity Complex and the Castle, are tangible evidence of this fascinating history.
Venosa has experienced moments of domination by various powers, but has managed to preserve its identity and emerge as an important cultural centre.
