Miglionico

Miglionico stands on a hill between the Bradano and Basento rivers, in the heart of eastern Basilicata, in the province of Matera. It is dominated by the Castle of Malconsiglio, one of the oldest in the region, dating back to the 9th century and known for the Conspiracy of the Barons against King Ferdinand I of Aragon in 1485.
Its location offers views of the Lucanian landscape and the San Giuliano Nature Reserve along the Bradano River and lake.Legend credits Milon, a famed ancient Croton athlete and Olympic wrestling champion, with founding the city. Another version attributes its founding to Milon of Taranto, lieutenant of Pyrrhus, who established a military colony here, building great walls as the phrase "Milo Magnus Miles Me Munivit Magnis Muris" recalls, whose seven Ms are today represented in the town’s coat of arms.
The historic center features the Mother Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, a Pontifical Basilica since 1051, housing a polyptych by Cima da Conegliano (1499) and a 1629 wooden Crucifix by Umile da Petralia, which inspired Mel Gibson’s movie The Passion of the Christ.