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TURSI - BASILICATATursi village is situated in the center of south Italy about 25 km from the sea. Presumably the town was founded by the Goths who, after destroying the ancient rural town of Anglona in 410, built their fortress in the nearby area. It was subsequently dominated by the Sanseverino, Doria, Visconti and Colonna Doria families.The closest city by the sea is Policoro, 25 km away, that has bigger supermarkets etc. About 6000 inhabitants lives in Tursi and it contains some restaurants, shops and bars. The newer properties are situated in the valley while "centro storico" climbes up on the hill. On top is the Rabatana, the oldest part of the village. The town is also known for being the birthplace of the famous poet Albino Pierro, who gave prominence to dialect poetry with his works translated into several languages.
La Rabatana is the original quarter from which the town of Tursi have developed, occupied by the Saracens in ancient times. It is situated north-east of the town, on a hill about 350 metres above sea level. Owing to its intricate structure, based on a contorted maze of streets and lanes, the quarter testifies to the incredible expansion of Islam in this part of the region. Its name comes from the Arabic Rabad, which means village. The houses have preserved the ancient architecture, the streets are made of stone and there are very few shops. In the oldest part of the Rabatana, uninhabited at present, stands the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, initially built by a group of Basil monks in the IX century and then rebuilt over the old building about 1546.
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