Potenza

For ither uises, see Potenza (disambiguation).

Potenza (Italian: [poˈtɛntsa] ( listen), Neapolitan: Putènza, Potentino dialect: Putenz) is a ceety an comune in the Soothren Italian region o Basilicata (umwhile Lucania). It is the caipital o the province o Potenza an the Basilicata region.

Potenza
Comune
Città di Potenza
Panorama o Potenza
Coat airms
Potenza athin the Province o Potenza
Potenza Location o Potenza in Italy
Coordinates: 40°38′N 15°48′E
Kintra	Italy
Region	Basilicata
Province	Potenza (PZ)
Govrenment
• Mayor	Dario De Luca (FDI-AN)
Area
• Total	173 km2 (67 sq mi)
Elevation	819 m (2,687 ft)
Population  (31 Mey 2015)
• Total	67,348
• Density	390/km2 (1,000/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Potentini
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	85100
Diallin code	0971
Patron saunt	St. Gerard
Saunt day	Mey 30
Website	Offeecial wabsteid

The ceety is the heichest regional caipital an ane o the heichest provincial caipitals in Italy, owerleukin the valley o the Basento river in the Apennine Muntains o Lucania, east o Salerno. Its territory is boondit bi the comuni o Anzi, Avigliano, Brindisi Montagna, Picerno, Pietragalla, Pignola, Ruoti, Tito, an Vaglio Basilicata.

History

Auncient times

The first dounset o Potentia wis probably locatit at a lawer elevation than at present, some 10 kilometre (6 mile) sooth o the day's Potenza.

The Lucani o Potenza sidit against Roum's enemies durin the latter's wars against the Samnites an the Bruttii. Subjugatit durin the 4t century BC (later gainin the status o municipium), the Potentini rebelled efter the Roman defeat at Cannae in 216 BC. Housomeivver, the Battle o the Metaurus markit the end o ony Carthaginian aspirations in Italy, an Potentia wis reconquered bi the Romans an reducit tae the status o militar colony.

Middle Ages

In the 6t century, the ceety passed tae the Lombard Duchy o Benevento. Incursions bi Saracens raiders menacit the ceety till the Norman conquest o soothren Italy secured the aurie. In the 12t century, Potenza became an episcopal see. In 1137, the ceety hostit Pape Innocent II an Emperor Lothair II durin their failed attempt tae conquer the Norman kinrick. In 1148 or 1149 in Potenza, Roger II o Sicily hostit king Louis VII o Fraunce, whom the Norman fleet haed freed frae the Saracens. Efter pillagin bi Emperor Frederick II, the ceety remained lyal tae the Hohenstaufen: as a result, it wis amaist totally destroyed bi Charles I when the Angevin laird conquered the Kinrick o Sicily. On 18 Dizember 18, 1273, a yirdquauk further devastatit the ceety.

Cathedral Square.

Modren age

In the follaein years, the ceety wis awned bi various feudal faimilies. Potenza wis the steid o riots against Spaingie domination, an in 1694 it wis amaist completely destroyed bi anither yirdquauk.

Wi the declaration o the Neapolitan Republic in 1799, Potenza wis ane o the first ceeties tae rebel against the king. Efter temporar Bourbon repression, the ceety wis conquered bi the French airmy in 1806, an declared the caipital o Basilicata. King Joachim Murat impruivit the ceety's livin condeetions an admeenistration, an some urban impruivements wur introducit for the visit o Ferdinand II in 1846. A revolt breuk oot in 1848 an wis again put doun bi Bourbon forces, an a third devastatin yirdquauk follaeed in 1857. Potenza rebelled for the last time in 1860, afore Garibaldi's revolutionar airmy brocht aboot the unification o Italy.

In September 1943, the ceety suffered hivy Allied bombin. In 1980, anither strang yirdquauk struck Potenza.

Aerial view o the Duomo an Palazzo Loffredo.

Freemit airtins

• Offeecial wabsteid
• Page at Comuni Italiani
• Battle of Potenza at canadiansoldiers.com
• Music State Conservatory "Carlo Gesualdo da Venosa"