Bernalda.
The town is named after the feudatory Bernardino
de Bernardo, secretary of the Aragonese court, who
had the castle, his family's residence, rebuilt.
In the XVII century, Bernarda was also the seat
of an important surgery held by Matteo Parisio.
After the unification of Italy and the end of brigandage,
the town became depopulated and a lot of its inhabitants
emigrated to America, hoping in a better life.
In the town centre, the church of Carmine, the
church of San Rocco and the Fischietti chapel are
worth visiting.
The castle, today turned into habitations, was
rebuilt several times. Next to the castle there
is the mother church of San Bernardino, externally
made of red bricks and Byzantine domes.
The town of Metaponto, a well-known seaside resort
rich in archaeological ruins, has also been part
of the municipal district of Bernalda since 1933.
