Stigliano

Stigliano is a town and comune in the province of Matera, in the Basilicata region of southern Italy.

History

The town was founded by the Lucani, and later was conquered by the Greek colony of Metaponto. The name is most likely of Roman origin, stemming from the Hostilii family, who owned it. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it fell under the Lombards, and was part of the medieval Principality of Salerno. In 1070 it was given to the bishops of Tricarico.

In 1274 King Charles I of Anjou gave it as a fief to Giacomo di Bosciniano. The powerful Neapolitan family of the Carafa acquired it in 1289. In 1556 the whole fief passed under the Spanish Dukes the Medina, who made it capital of the Basilicata province. In 1806, after the abolition of feudalism, Stigliano went under the direct administration of the Kingdom of Naples and later the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and, in 1861, became part of the newly unified Kingdom of Italy.

During the Fascist era Stigliano was an exile place for Fascist dissidents.

Stigliano (Sovicille)

Stigliano is a village in Tuscany, Italy, a frazione of the comune of Sovicille, in the province of Siena.

History

Ancient era

As showed by excavations of ruins of castellieri (walls protecting ancient settlements), the origins of Stigliano date to Iron Age times. Scholars have suggested that these structures could have been built by the Etruscans as a defense against the invasion of the Senones. Presence of the latter is confirmed by local toponyms, such as the name of the village Brenna, close to Stigliano, which could stem from the name of their leader Brennus. The name of the local Merse river, which flows behind Stigliano, is potentially directly related to Merseburg, a town in eastern Germany.

Although very little is known of Stigliano during the Roman times, the name of Sextilianum which appears in later records, may show the existence of the town at the time.

Middle Ages

Stigliano is the site for one of the many castles that were part of the Ardenghesca consortium.