San Fele

San Fele
Comune
Comune di San Fele

Coat of arms
San Fele

Location of San Fele in Italy

Coordinates: 40°49′N 15°32′E / 40.817°N 15.533°E / 40.817; 15.533
Country Italy
Region Basilicata
Province / Metropolitan city Potenza (PZ)
Frazioni Agrifoglio, Armatieri, Difesa, Cecci, Montagna, Pierno, Priore, Masone, Signorella, Cerrito
Government
 • Mayor Donato Sperduto
Area
 • Total 96 km2 (37 sq mi)
Elevation 864 m (2,835 ft)
Population (28 February 2015)
 • Total 3,058
 • Density 32/km2 (83/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Sanfelesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 85020
Dialing code 0976
Patron saint Saint Justin de Jacobis and Saint Sebastian
Saint day 30 July and 20 January
Website Official website

San Fele is a town and comune in the province of Potenza in the Basilicata region of Italy.

Geography

It is bounded by the comuni of Atella, Bella, Castelgrande, Filiano, Muro Lucano, Rapone and Ruvo del Monte.

History

In 969 AD, emperor Otto I ordered that a fortress be built in this area to protect against Byzantine incursions. This site was chosen for its defensive advantages. In 969 CE, the castle-fortress was completed. The constructors of the fortress, being from Venosa, dedicated the fortress to their protector-saint, Saint Felix (San Felice).

San Fele suffered from substantial emigration in the late 19th century (to North and South America). A large number emigrated to Buffalo and Newark, New Jersey, where the number of San Fele expatriates was said to be greater than the number remaining in the town. Descendants of these immigrants in Buffalo and New Jersey still have San Fele Societies, which hold an annual feast day honoring the town. There was also intense emigration from San Fele after the end of World War II (to Australia, Brazil, Germany, Switzerland, and northern Italy).

Twin towns

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