Nova Siri (whose former name was Boiled) is situated in the province of Matera in Basilicata. It lies on the Ionian coast and is divided into Nova Siri, the village or town centre (in the local dialect the country), and Nova Siri Marina, or ‘scalo’ (in the local dialect at the station).
Region
The municipal area of Nova Siri lies at an altitude of 355 metres above sea level in the far south-eastern part of the province of Matera, bordering the south-eastern part of the province of Potenza and the north-eastern part of the province of Cosenza.
As it stretches along a strip between the sea and the mountains, it is characterised by significant geo-environmental differences, which can be divided into three distinct sectors: coastal, hilly and low-mountainous.
The maritime area comprises a coastal strip stretching for approximately three kilometres, overlooking the Gulf of Taranto, which forms part of the Ionian Sea; within the municipal area lie the mouths of several short streams (San Nicola, Toccacielo). These watercourses, flowing through the municipal area from north to south and forming municipal and regional boundaries, include, in fact, the Toccacielo stream, with its mouth (a WWF wildlife reserve, providing a refuge for several common waders found in the Mediterranean basin – including the grey heron – alongside other seabirds such as the little gull); the stream’s mouth is situated just a few metres from the boundary with the beach of the municipality of Rotondella.
This south-eastern district of the municipality, known locally as Laccata, is also recognised at provincial level; indeed, the Laccata provincial road runs through it, forming the natural conclusion of the old route that once followed the course of the former provincial road S.S.104 Sapri–Ionio, which currently links the hamlet of Marina – where it joins the Jonica State Road 106 – with the historic centre.
In the Laccata district, the local council has commissioned the construction of the municipal stadium.
The San Nicola stream, which is more akin to a torrent, forms the western boundary of the municipal, provincial and regional territories, as it runs close to the border between the Basilicata and Calabria regions. The most striking geographical feature of the two streams is their differing hydrographic patterns; indeed, the Toccacielo never leaves the municipal territory along its course, acting as a natural boundary for the administrative area, whilst the San Nicola, veering westwards some three kilometres from its mouth, crosses into the region of Calabria.
The sandy coastline is dotted with natural dunes, on which sea oat grows and thrives alongside other coastal plants (Asphodelus, Salsola kali, Eryngium maritimum); the sandy nature of both the inland and coastal areas represents a marked contrast to the seabed and the pebbly coastline of nearby Rocca Imperiale; however, this feature brings the Lucanian coast on the Ionian Sea closer to that of neighbouring Puglia. Other characteristic tree species of the coastal area include pine forests and eucalyptus groves, the latter having been planted in recent times (the first half of the 20th century) not only to halt beach erosion and desertification, but also to prevent the spread of malaria in reclaimed areas, where marsh mosquitoes act as vectors of the disease. These plantations thrive because the eucalyptus trees, by absorbing wastewater, prevent it from stagnating, thus allowing Mediterranean flora to resume its growth (thanks to the combined efforts of both man and nature) and preventing it from rotting due to excess water. Along the avenues and within the overgrown wooded areas, rosemary, oleander and numerous annual fruit plantations (mainly orchards of the Prunus genus – peach, apricot and plum trees – as well as citrus groves) thrive.
Heading north along the former Provincial Road 104 (Sapri–Ionio), and once past the junction with the SS 106, the coastal strip – part of which is occupied by Nova Siri Marina – gives way to agricultural areas where olive trees, orange trees and fields of plums (Prunus domestica). In vacant, abandoned or state-owned land, one may notice the presence of typically rustic trees deeply rooted in the local landscape, such as the wild pear tree or (Piràinu) or oaks, evidence of the area’s ancient woodland cover, which was replaced in time immemorial by olive trees; these, however, demonstrate both the age of the groves through their majesty and the extent to which the landscape has been shaped by human activity. Other plant species found in the area include wild fennel, wild chicory, dandelion, wild thistle and wild artichoke, whilst some areas are colonised by marigold.
Once past the historic centre of Nova Siri, the landscape takes on the characteristics of low-mountain terrain, both in terms of temperature and flora. Here, one finds both the shrubs of Mediterranean flora and typical mountain trees in such abundance as to bring to mind the forests of geographically neighbouring areas, such as Mount Pollino, which lies at the heart of the national park of the same name; and so one encounters areas of oak woodland, naturally occurring pine forests and rich stands of wild pear trees on which mistletoe thrives.
History
The location of the old town (castle) suggests that it previously served as a military and civil outpost, possibly of Roman origin or, more likely, Byzantine, guarding the Ionian coast during the era of Saracen raids; its function is attested by the watchtower on the coast, currently owned by the Battifarano family.
The ancient name ‘Bollita’ (the origin of which is a matter of debate, as it may derive either from the ancient ‘Boletum’ – presumably so – or from the ovoid shape of the hill, which is said to bring to mind the cap of the porcini mushroom (Boletus edulis), or from the presence of spring-fed pools, evoking the ancient notion of ‘boiling water’) was abandoned in favour of the current name due to the presence in this area – attested by Strabo in his work *Geography* – of the city of Siris, of Greek origin.
Subsequently, between the 14th and 16th centuries, it was a fief of the Spanish Sandoval de Castro family, whose most famous member was Don Diego Sandoval de Castro, the lover of Countess Isabella Morra, daughter of Count Morra, Lord of Favale (the former name of Valsinni).
It was the birthplace of the Settembrini family (whose stately home is situated in the Porticella area, the former name of the town’s eastern district), who, having moved to Naples in the early 19th century, were the parents of the patriot and writer Luigi Settembrini. In the second half of the nineteenth century, the town was the centre of a Risorgimento group affiliated with ‘Giovine Italia’ [2], one of whose members was Pietro Antonio Battifarano, who took part in Garibaldi’s campaign by enlisting in a regiment of Red Shirts near Capua.
From an urban planning perspective, the town began to develop in the second half of the 20th century, first on the eastern hill where the old cemetery was situated (now located in the San Megale district), and then, from the 1970s, mainly along the road axis connecting the town centre – via the then SS 104 Sapri–Jonio (now downgraded to a secondary provincial road) – with the railway station and the hamlet of Marina, close to the SS 106 Reggio Calabria–Taranto. Since then, Nova Siri Marina has experienced significant population growth, becoming a well-known seaside resort that attracts holidaymakers not only from the villages of the Lucanian and Calabrian hinterland, but also from the rest of Italy and abroad.
Its location in the heart of ancient Magna Graecia, between Taranto and Crotone, in an area that is unique from a historical perspective and easily accessible (via the SS 106), makes it easy to visit the nearby archaeological sites of Policoro,
including the ancient site of Heraclea, Metaponto di Bernalda – an ancient Magna Graecian cultural centre – and Matera with its UNESCO-listed rock-cut churches. If you take the inland roads of Basilicata, Tricarico, Vaglio, Venosa, Grumento Nova and Craco – a typical, uninhabited town – are all easily accessible. Taking the SS 106 towards Reggio Calabria, you’ll pass through Rocca Imperiale, with its castle built by Frederick II, Montegiordano, Roseto Capo Spulico, Trebisacce and the ancient Magna Graecian cities of Sibari and Crotone
