Irsina

Member of I Borghi più belli d'Italia

High above the Bradano valley, the town known as Montepeloso until 1895 keeps a walled medieval core. Through its gates, cobbled lanes wind past watchtowers, fountains and small churches, opening onto little squares that look out over a wide plateau of grain fields. The 13th-century cathedral, partly rebuilt at the end of the 18th century, is the main sight.

Highlights

The 13th-century cathedral, reworked in the late 18th century
A sculpture in the cathedral recently attributed to Andrea Mantegna
Remains of the Norman castle inside the crypt of the former San Francesco monastery
Bosco di Verrutoli, a 650-hectare wood where fallow deer roam freely
Cereals and wine from the surrounding farmland

Summary based on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA), written with AI assistance.

Population: 4,449

Things to see

Irsina Cathedral

Events through the year

Feast of Saint Joseph Religious · 19 MarchBonfires and traditional soft bread rolls called pandòzz
Festa della Pietà e Pizzicantò Religious · Last Sunday of MayProcession of the Madonna della Pietà, then young men build moving human pyramids
Festival of Saint Roch Religious · 15–17 AugustHome altars in cellars and garages, all-night singing, dancing and fried doughnuts
Feast of Saint Euphemia Religious · 14–17 September, main day 16 SeptemberTown keys handed to the archbishop, then a long procession with the saint's relic

Dates follow the traditional patterns described on Wikipedia and Wikivoyage: check locally before you travel.

Based on Wikipedia (Irsina (IT), Irsina (EN)) (CC BY-SA).

Specialities of Basilicata

Typical of the region rather than of this village.

Peperone cruscoLocal produceDried crunchy pepper, called the red gold of Basilicata
LucanicaCured meat
Aglianico del VultureWine
Lagane e ceciDishWide pasta with chickpeas and peeled tomatoes, the brigand's dish
RafanataDishOmelette with horseradish, the poor man's truffle
Pecorino di FilianoCheese