Demonym(s) Sanfelesi Postal code 85020 Local time Saturday 4:57 PM | Time zone CET (UTC+1) Elevation 864 m | |
Frazioni Agrifoglio, Armatieri, Difesa, Cecci, Montagna, Pierno, Priore, Masone, Signorella, Cerrito Weather 17°C, Wind S at 11 km/h, 41% Humidity | ||
San Fele is a town and comune in the province of Potenza in the Basilicata region of Italy.
Contents
Map of 85020 San Fele Province of Potenza, Italy
Geography
It is bounded by the comuni of Atella, Bella, Castelgrande, Filiano, Muro Lucano, Rapone and Ruvo del Monte.
History
In 969 AD, emperor Otto I ordered that a fortress be built in this area to protect against Byzantine incursions. This site was chosen for its defensive advantages. In 969 CE, the castle-fortress was completed. The constructors of the fortress, being from Venosa, dedicated the fortress to their protector-saint, Saint Felix (San Felice).
San Fele suffered from substantial emigration in the late 19th century (to North and South America). A large number emigrated to Buffalo and Newark, New Jersey, where the number of San Fele expatriates was said to be greater than the number remaining in the town. Descendants of these immigrants in New York and New Jersey still have San Fele Societies, which hold an annual feast day honoring the town. There was also intense emigration from San Fele after the end of World War II (to Australia, Brazil, Germany, Switzerland, and northern Italy).