Montalbano Jonico: Calanchi, Old Town and Culture

Natural Environment and Geological History

Montalbano Jonico combines impressive landscapes with a multifaceted local history. The Riserva Regionale dei Calanchi di Montalbano Jonico nature reserve was established under Regional Law 3/2011. The extensive area of the Calanchi Lucani is recognised at European level as an Important Bird Area (IBA), as it provides various bird species with opportunities to rest and breed. This gives you a destination where landscape observation and regional geology are closely connected.

Tempa Petrolla and Ancient Paths

A striking landscape feature is the Tempa Petrolla geosite. The isolated rocky spur rises from a clay-dominated landscape; its summit offers a 360-degree panorama. The geological development can also be read along the old mule track “Appiett’ u mulin”. There, a lithological transition from clay via sandstone to conglomerates indicates the change from a deep marine environment to a shallow coastal environment.

The “Da Montalbano a Tempa Petrolla” route also brings together several facets of the town. It passes through the old town of Montalbano Jonico to the start of the “Appiett u Castiedd” path. This old transhumance route connected Montalbano Jonico with the royal tratturo of Metaponto. If you would like to consider nature, local history and traditional paths together, this connection provides a particularly clear thematic framework.

Old Town, Literature and Sacred Art

In the old town, the historical and cultural tour of the Parco Letterario Francesco Lomonaco leads either from Porta Pandosia or from the Arco di San Pietro via Casa Lomonaco. The Parco Letterario Francesco Lomonaco is a virtual park that refers to a real place as well as to lanes, streets, squares, people, notable figures, books, manuscripts, stories, events and memories.

One entrance to the Terravecchia district is the Porta dell’Orologio, also known as Porta Castello. Beyond it lie narrow lanes, tight passageways and arches of Arab-Norman origin. In the church of San Rocco and its cloister, you can see the surviving remains of an old Capuchin monastery, probably built in 1601. The church’s furnishings include an 18th-century oil painting of the Visitation by Caravesi and a wooden sculpture of Saint Roch, also from the 18th century.

The Chiesa Madre S. Maria d’Episcopio was rebuilt in the first half of the 18th century. An organ dating from 1785 is located above the main altar. Palazzo Rondinelli houses a library and a picture gallery; the building also includes an old collection and a historic garden.

San Maurizio in the Festival Calendar

The San Maurizio patron saint festival takes place in Montalbano Jonico every year from 19 September to 23 September. During the procession, the saint is carried through the streets of Montalbano in a boat decorated with flowers and grain. The fixed period and this distinctive procession motif give a visit to the town a clear cultural focus.

More Destinations for Your Travel Planning

More destinations you can include in your travel plans: Ferrandina, Grottole, Grassano, Tinchi, Policoro, Tursi, Stigliano and Lido Di Scanzano.

For the higher-level travel overview: Matera.