Bernalda is located between the Bradano and Basento rivers in the southern part of the province of Matera. Its residential centre developed on a high plain that slopes towards the coast, offering a view over the seaside village of Metaponto.
The town took its present name only in the 15th century when Baron Bernardino de Bernaudo, secretary to King Alfonso II of Aragon, decided to move the ancient village of Camarda to the highest area close to the castle.
The historical centre of Bernalda comprises various noble residences in addition to the Aragonese Castle built by de Bernaudo in 1470. The castle has a massive quadrangular structure with three cylindrical corner towers which widen towards the base. There are various passageways inside the castle, one of which provided an escape route to the Basento Valley for use in times of danger.
Palazzo Margherita, a 19th century residence on Corso Umberto I, was acquired and developed into a luxury hotel by the film director Francis Ford Coppola whose paternal grandparents came from Bernalda.
Lucana Film Commission
Via Madonna delle Virtù snc — 75100 Matera (sede legale); Corso Garibaldi 139 — 85100 Potenza (uffici)
Phone: +39 0971 665034
Email: lucanafilmcommission@gmail.com
