Irsina trip planner

Irsina is a town, comune (municipality) and former Latin bishopric in the province of Matera, in the Southern Italian region of Basilicata.The economy is mostly based on agriculture, with the production of cereals and wine.The townThe medieval part of Irsina is a labyrinth of cobblestone roads winding and opening up into little squares with scenic views over the vast countryside. It is an agricultural town. Churches and fountains are familiar landmarks. The town boasts an important 13th-century cathedral which was partly rebuilt at the end of the 18th century. The remains of a Norman castle have since been incorporated into the crypt of the former monastery of San Francesco.Around the more modern part of the village, cafés and shops painted in warm hues of beige, rose-petal and yellow snugly sit beside each other. The whole village is perched on a hill overlooking Italy’s grain plateau – in fact, the area produces a lot of the grain used to make pasta in the whole of Italy.Village and nearby countrysideIrsina sits on the border between the regions of Apulia and Basilicata, with the Council of Materia. The population is about 5000 people, living in about 2000 households. The geography of the town is very simple. There is a medieval part with narrow cobbled streets and small squares. The new town is joined to the old by a main street which has now become the commercial focus, with small bars, a few restaurants, small shops, surrounded by much housing.21st centuryOnce known as Montepeloso, Irsina sits on the top of a hill at around 550m above sea level and enjoys panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Ancient walls embrace the historical centre, the watch towers, the elegant buildings, the small churches, the narrow alleyways and the old gates to the town.