Lauria (Basilikata)

Lauria is an Italian town and comune of the province of Potenza, in Basilicata, situated near the borders of Calabria. It is a walled town on the steep side of a hill with another portion in the plain below. As of 2015 it had a population of 12,919. It is historically the largest city in the southwestern Lucania region. It is a picturesque medieval town, typically Mediterranean. He gave birth to many illustrious characters including the legendary Roger of Lauria, an extraordinary medieval admiral, also quoted in the Decameron, who died in Valencia, to whom many streets are dedicated in Spain, including Valencia and Barcelona.HistoryThe original nucleus of the city appeared probably in the 10th century, near the place where later the Sanctuary of Madonna dell'Armo was edificated. However it seems that monastic activity pre-existed in the area, as Lauria just means the "lavra city". The Castle of Lauria, later attributed to Roger of Lauria, was built by Saracens. In the 12th century Lauria was the seat of a Norman fief, which was held by Gibel and then by his son Richard of Lauria, who died in the battle of Benevento on 1266.