Country Italy Province / Metropolitan city Potenza (PZ) Elevation 313 m (1,027 ft) Population 13,693 (31 May 2015) Local time Monday 7:36 PM | Region Basilicata Frazioni Gaudiano Demonym(s) Lavellesi Province Province of Potenza Patron saint San Mauro di Lavello | |
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Weather 7°C, Wind W at 10 km/h, 68% Humidity | ||
Lavello is a town and comune in the province of Potenza, in the region of Basilicata of southern Italy; it is located in the middle Ofanto valley.
Contents
Map of 85024 Lavello Province of Potenza, Italy
History
The area of Lavello was settled in prehistoric times, as attested by findings of an Iron Age village. The town originated as a Daunian and then Roman settlement, known as Forentum. It was already an important stronghold during the Lombard rule in southern Italy, and here was killed Sicard of Benevento (839).
Lavello was an important Byzantine center and a bishopric seat from 1025. Starting from 1043 Lavello was one of the twelve baronies of the Norman county of Apulia in southern Italy. The Normans rebuilt the cathedral and added a line of walls. The fortress was strengthened under their successors, the Hohenstaufen. Here King Conrad IV of Germany died in 1254. As a result of its participation in the anti-Angevine revolt in 1268, it was burnt down by Charles I of Anjou in 1298.
Main sights
Famous citizens
Pasquale Di Pinto, World Karate Champion, was born in Lavello.