# Acerenza > Italian comune **Wikidata**: [Q52511](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q52511) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acerenza) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/acerenza ## Summary Acerenza is an Italian comune (municipality) located in the province of Potenza in the Basilicata region of southern Italy. It is a historic hill town situated at coordinates 40.8°N latitude and 15.95°E longitude, known for its medieval architecture and religious significance as the seat of a Roman Catholic Archdiocese. The municipality has a population of approximately 2,204 to 2,380 residents and is recognized as part of "The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy," an association of small towns of historical interest founded in 2001. ## Key Facts - **Location:** Province of Potenza, Basilicata region, southern Italy - **Coordinates:** Latitude 40.8° N, Longitude 15.95° E - **Country:** Italy — sovereign parliamentary republic in Southern Europe - **Administrative status:** Comune of Italy (municipal division of Italy) - **Population:** 2,204 to 2,380 residents (multiple census figures) - **Website:** http://www.comune.acerenza.pz.it/ - **Wikipedia title:** Acerenza - **Wikidata description:** Italian comune - **Sitelink count:** 51 - **Religious significance:** Seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Acerenza (headquarters: ) - **Cultural recognition:** Member of "The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy" (founded 2001, headquarters: ) - **Province context:** Part of Potenza province (sitelink_count: 78) - **Country context:** Italy (sitelink_count: 404), founding member of European Union and NATO ## FAQs **What type of administrative area is Acerenza?** Acerenza is a comune, which is the fundamental administrative division in Italy, similar to a municipality or town. It operates under the local government system and is part of the province of Potenza in the Basilicata region of southern Italy. **What is the religious significance of Acerenza?** Acerenza is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Acerenza, making it an important center for Catholic worship and administration in Italy. The archdiocese is headquartered in Acerenza itself, establishing the town as a significant religious center within the country. **Is Acerenza recognized for its cultural or historical value?** Yes, Acerenza is a member of "The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy" (I Borghi più belli d'Italia), an association founded in 2001 that recognizes small Italian towns of historical and architectural interest. This designation highlights Acerenza's medieval heritage, preserved urban fabric, and cultural significance. **What region and province is Acerenza located in?** Acerenza is located in the province of Potenza, which is part of the Basilicata region in southern Italy. The province of Potenza contains 78 related entities in knowledge bases, while Basilicata is one of Italy's 20 administrative regions. **What is the population of Acerenza?** Acerenza has a population ranging from approximately 2,204 to 2,380 residents according to the available census data. This places it among the smaller Italian comuni, characteristic of many historic hill towns in the southern Apennine regions. ## Why It Matters Acerenza matters as a preserved example of medieval Italian urbanism and religious architecture in southern Italy. Its designation as one of "The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy" reflects its historical significance, with the town maintaining its historic center, churches, and traditional layout that dates back centuries. The presence of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese establishes Acerenza as a center of religious authority and heritage, drawing visitors interested in ecclesiastical history and spiritual pilgrimage. The town's location in the province of Potenza places it within Basilicata, one of Italy's less densely populated regions, where efforts to preserve cultural heritage and promote sustainable tourism are essential for economic development. Acerenza serves as an example of how smaller Italian municipalities maintain their identity while adapting to modern needs, balancing preservation with local governance responsibilities. From a geopolitical perspective, Acerenza represents the broader context of Italian administrative organization, where comuni serve as the foundational units of local government, each contributing to the country's regional structure. The town's inclusion in knowledge bases with 51 sitelinks indicates its digital presence and relevance for researchers, tourists, and those interested in Italian geography and history. ## Notable For - **Religious heritage:** Seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Acerenza, making it an important Catholic ecclesiastical center - **Medieval architecture:** Preserved historic center characteristic of hill towns in southern Italy - **Cultural recognition:** Member of "The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy" association since 2001 - **Geographic position:** Located at 40.8°N latitude, 15.95°E longitude in the southern Italian Apennines - **Administrative significance:** Part of the province of Potenza, one of Italy's 78 provincial entities - **Digital presence:** Official municipal website at comune.acerenza.pz.it and Wikipedia article with 51 sitelinks ## Body ### Geography and Location Acerenza is situated in the province of Potenza within the Basilicata region of southern Italy. The municipality occupies a hilltop position at coordinates 40.8° North latitude and 15.95° East longitude, characteristic of many medieval towns in the southern Italian Apennines. This elevated location provided historical defensive advantages and continues to define the town's visual identity with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The province of Potenza, often referred to as the "foot" of the Italian boot, encompasses mountainous and hilly terrain typical of the southern Apennine region. Basilicata is one of Italy's 20 regions and is bordered by Calabria to the south, Puglia to the east, Campania to the west, and Calabria to the southeast. The region's geography includes the Pollino massif, the Lucan Apennines, and the Gulf of Taranto coastal areas. ### Administrative Structure As an Italian comune, Acerenza functions as the fundamental unit of local administration in Italy. The comune system dates back to the unification of Italy in 1861, when the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed on March 17, 1861. The current Italian Republic was established on June 18, 1946, following a constitutional referendum, and operates under the Constitution of Italy as the main regulatory text for all comuni, including Acerenza. The comune of Acerenza operates within the provincial framework of Potenza, which is one of the 78 provincial entities in Italy. Italy itself is a unitary state with 20 regions, organized administratively into regions, provinces, metropolitan cities, and comuni. This hierarchical structure provides local governance while maintaining national coordination. ### Religious Significance Acerenza holds significant religious importance as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Acerenza. This ecclesiastical designation places the town at the center of a Catholic archdiocese, which oversees parishes and churches in the surrounding area. The archdiocese is part of the larger structure of the Catholic Church in Italy, which maintains extensive historical and cultural ties to the nation's identity. The presence of an archdiocese in a relatively small town reflects the historical importance of Acerenza in religious terms. Throughout Italian history, the Catholic Church has played a central role in community life, and many towns developed around ecclesiastical centers. The archdiocese maintains headquarters in Acerenza, contributing to the town's cultural identity and attracting religious pilgrims and visitors interested in ecclesiastical architecture and history. ### Cultural Recognition and Tourism Acerenza is recognized as part of "The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy" (I Borghi più belli d'Italia), an association founded in 2001 with headquarters in Rome. This association was established to promote and preserve small Italian towns of historical and architectural interest. Membership requires meeting criteria related to historical heritage, architectural quality, and efforts toward preservation and sustainable development. The association includes towns from all across Italy, representing the diverse cultural heritage of the peninsula. Being recognized as one of "The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy" provides Acerenza with cultural prestige and supports tourism initiatives. Visitors interested in medieval architecture, traditional Italian town planning, and authentic southern Italian culture are drawn to Acerenza and similar municipalities that have maintained their historic character. ### Demographics and Population Acerenza has a population ranging from approximately 2,204 to 2,380 residents according to available census data. This population size is typical of small Italian comuni in rural and mountainous areas, particularly in the southern regions where urbanization has been less concentrated than in the industrial north. The population figures reflect broader demographic trends in southern Italy, where many smaller towns have experienced population decline as younger residents migrate to larger cities for education and employment opportunities. However, towns like Acerenza that maintain cultural heritage and quality of life attractions continue to serve as important residential centers and tourist destinations. ### Digital Presence and Information Access Acerenza maintains an official municipal website at http://www.comune.acerenza.pz.it/, providing information about local government services, events, and community resources. The ".pz" domain extension indicates the province of Potenza, following the Italian convention for municipal website addresses. The town has a Wikipedia article titled "Acerenza" with 51 sitelinks across various language editions, indicating international interest and documentation. The Wikidata entry (implied by the entity designation) provides structured data about Acerenza, including its classification as an Italian comune, geographic coordinates, and administrative relationships. ### Historical Context The history of Acerenza is intertwined with the broader history of southern Italy and the Kingdom of Naples, which preceded the unification of Italy. The town's hilltop location reflects medieval defensive strategies, with settlements often established in elevated positions to provide natural fortification against invasions and conflicts. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Acerenza indicates Christian heritage dating back centuries, as the establishment of dioceses in Italian towns typically occurred during the early medieval period or late antiquity. The continued presence of the archdiocese demonstrates the enduring religious significance of the town throughout Italian history. ### Relationship to Italian Administrative System Acerenza exists within Italy's comprehensive administrative framework, which includes multiple levels of government. Italy, officially the Italian Republic (Repubblica Italiana), is a founding member of the European Union (since 1957) and NATO (since 1949), with its current republican form established in 1946. The Italian administrative system divides the country into 20 regions, which are further subdivided into provinces and comuni. The province of Potenza, containing 78 related entities in knowledge systems, is one of the two provinces of Basilicata (the other being the province of Matera). This structured approach to administration allows for local governance while maintaining national coordination and adherence to Italian law. ### Related Entities and Connections Acerenza is connected to several important entities in knowledge systems. The province of Potenza (78 sitelinks) provides the immediate administrative context, while Italy (404 sitelinks) provides the national framework. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Acerenza (15 sitelinks) establishes the religious significance, while "The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy" (21 sitelinks) provides the cultural recognition context. The comune classification connects Acerenza to the broader category of Italian municipal divisions (60 sitelinks), which represent the fundamental units of local administration throughout Italy. This network of relationships demonstrates how individual towns like Acerenza fit into larger administrative, cultural, and religious structures that define Italian society and governance. ## References 1. [Source](https://dait.interno.gov.it/territorio-e-autonomie-locali/sut/elenco_codici_comuni.php) 2. [Source](https://borghipiubelliditalia.it/borgo/acerenza/) 3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 4. Italian National Institute of Statistics 5. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2018/index3.html) 6. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/app/?i=CDQ&l=it) 7. [Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224) 8. Wiki Loves Monuments Italia 9. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line 10. Seismic classification in Italy 11. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)