# Grumento Nova

> Italian comune

**Wikidata**: [Q52576](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q52576)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumento_Nova)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/grumento-nova

## Summary

Grumento Nova is an Italian comune located in the province of Potenza in the southern Italian region of Basilicata. The modern settlement sits atop the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Grumentum, making it a significant archaeological and historical site in southern Italy.

## Key Facts

- **Location:** Province of Potenza, Basilicata region, southern Italy
- **Geographic Coordinates:** 40.283888888889° N latitude, 15.889722222222° E longitude
- **Country:** Italy
- **Administrative Classification:** Comune of Italy (municipal division of Italy)
- **Official Website:** http://www.comune.grumentonova.pz.it/
- **Population:** 1,701 (most recent), 1,694, 1,557 (historical figures)
- **Wikipedia Title:** Grumento Nova
- **Wikidata Entity:** Italian comune
- **Sitelink Count:** 45
- **Historical Predecessor:** Grumentum (ancient city and archaeological site)
- **Related Ancient Entity:** Grumentum — ancient city and archaeological site in Italy with 14 sitelinks

## FAQs

**What is the historical significance of Grumento Nova?**

Grumento Nova is built on the site of the ancient Roman city of Grumentum, which was an important urban center in Roman times. The archaeological remains of Grumentum make the modern comune historically significant for understanding Roman urban planning and civilization in southern Italy.

**Which administrative region does Grumento Nova belong to?**

Grumento Nova is a comune in the province of Potenza, which is part of the Basilicata region in southern Italy. Basilicata is one of Italy's 20 administrative regions.

**What is the relationship between Grumento Nova and Grumentum?**

Grumento Nova is the modern Italian comune that exists in continuity with the ancient city of Grumentum. The ancient Grumentum was a significant Roman settlement whose archaeological remains are located beneath and around the modern settlement, making it a site of archaeological importance.

**What type of administrative unit is Grumento Nova?**

Grumento Nova is a comune, which is the fundamental administrative division in Italy. Comuni are municipal divisions that serve as the primary unit of local government, similar to municipalities or communes in other countries.

## Why It Matters

Grumento Nova matters as a living bridge between ancient Roman civilization and modern Italian society. The continuity of settlement from Roman times to the present day provides tangible evidence of how ancient urban centers evolved into medieval and modern Italian towns. The archaeological site of Grumentum contributes to our understanding of Roman urban architecture, social organization, and daily life in ancient southern Italy. For historians, archaeologists, and scholars of classical antiquity, the site represents an important case study of urban continuity in the Mediterranean region. Additionally, the comune represents the broader pattern of Italian municipalities preserving historical identity while serving contemporary administrative and social needs.

## Notable For

- **Ancient Roman Heritage:** Built atop the ruins of Grumentum, an ancient Roman city
- **Archaeological Significance:** Contains visible remains and artifacts from Roman civilization
- **Continuous Settlement:** Represents urban continuity from ancient times to the present
- **Basilicata Location:** Situated in one of Italy's historically significant southern regions
- **Local Government:** Serves as the administrative center for the surrounding area within the province of Potenza

## Body

### Geography and Location

Grumento Nova is situated in the province of Potenza, which lies within the Basilicata region of southern Italy. The comune occupies geographic coordinates of 40.283888888889° north latitude and 15.889722222222° east longitude. This positioning places it in the interior highlands of Basilicata, an area characterized by mountainous terrain and historical isolation that contributed to the preservation of ancient archaeological sites.

### Historical Background

The modern comune of Grumento Nova derives its name and location from the ancient Roman city of Grumentum. Grumentum was established as a Roman settlement and grew to become a significant urban center in the region during the Roman period. The ancient city was strategically positioned to control important trade routes and agricultural territories in the interior of southern Italy. Archaeological excavations and surveys have revealed the remains of Roman public buildings, private residences, and infrastructure that attest to the city's former importance.

The continuity of settlement from ancient Grumentum to modern Grumento Nova exemplifies a common phenomenon in Italian urban history, where medieval and modern towns developed atop or in close proximity to Roman foundations. This continuity has resulted in a layered archaeological landscape where Roman remains lie beneath contemporary structures.

### Administrative Structure

As an Italian comune, Grumento Nova functions as a municipal division with its own local government administration. The comune system in Italy represents the lowest level of administrative territorial organization, responsible for local services, civil registration, urban planning, and community governance. Grumento Nova falls under the jurisdiction of the province of Potenza, which serves as an intermediate administrative level between the comune and the regional government of Basilicata.

The official website of the comune is http://www.comune.grumentonova.pz.it/, providing access to local government services, administrative information, and community resources for residents and visitors.

### Demographics

The population of Grumento Nova has been recorded at approximately 1,701 residents in the most recent census data, with historical figures showing populations of 1,694 and 1,557 in earlier periods. These population figures are consistent with the demographic patterns of small rural comuni in the interior regions of southern Italy, where population sizes have remained relatively stable or experienced modest decline due to rural-to-urban migration patterns affecting many smaller Italian municipalities.

### Relationship to Ancient Grumentum

The relationship between Grumento Nova and the ancient city of Grumentum represents a direct historical and geographical continuity. Grumentum is recognized as an ancient city and archaeological site in Italy, with its own entry in the Wikidata knowledge base and approximately 14 sitelinks across Wikimedia projects. The ancient city was a center of Roman civilization in the region, and its archaeological remains continue to be studied and preserved.

The municipal boundaries of modern Grumento Nova encompass all or significant portions of the ancient Roman city's territory, making the comune the legal and administrative successor to the ancient urban center. This relationship is reflected in the comune's name, which explicitly references the ancient predecessor.

### Regional Context

Grumento Nova exists within the broader context of Basilicata, one of Italy's 20 regions. Basilicata is known for its mountainous terrain, historical isolation, and rich archaeological heritage. The region contains numerous ancient Greek and Roman settlements, reflecting its strategic importance in ancient Mediterranean civilizations. The province of Potenza, in which Grumento Nova is located, serves as the principal administrative division for much of Basilicata's interior territory.

The comune is part of the larger system of Italian comuni, of which there are thousands distributed throughout the country. This administrative classification represents a distinctively Italian approach to local governance that dates back to the unification of Italy in the 19th century.

### Cultural and Archaeological Importance

The archaeological site of Grumentum contributes to Basilicata's reputation as a region of significant classical heritage. The ancient city would have featured the typical amenities of Roman urban centers, including temples, baths, theaters, and residential districts. The preservation of these remains beneath and around the modern settlement provides opportunities for archaeological research and contributes to understanding Roman colonization and urbanization patterns in southern Italy.

The continuity of habitation from ancient times through the medieval period to the present day has created a complex stratigraphic landscape where different historical layers can be studied in relation to one another. This makes Grumento Nova of interest not only to archaeologists but also to historians studying urban evolution and cultural continuity in Mediterranean societies.

### Modern Administration

Today, Grumento Nova functions as a typical Italian comune, providing municipal services to its residents while preserving its historical heritage. The local administration manages public services, maintains infrastructure, and oversees planning and development within the comune's territory. The relatively small population reflects the rural character of the municipality, which relies primarily on agriculture and related economic activities.

The comune's website serves as a digital interface between the local government and the community, providing information about services, events, and administrative procedures. This digital presence represents the modernization of local governance while the settlement maintains its historical roots stretching back to Roman times.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Italian National Institute of Statistics
4. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2018/index3.html)
5. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/?l=it)
6. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
7. GeoNames
8. [Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224)
9. Wiki Loves Monuments Italia
10. Seismic classification in Italy
11. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)