Midway between Avigliano and Muro Lucano is where Bella is situated. It is an ancient centre with pre-Roman origins now close to the borders of Campania.
Its territory was inhabited in ancient times and the Roman Era by the Osci, but it was the Medieval period that was historical for Bella, when it took on an important political role in the South. In particular, during the Norman and Swabian period when construction of the castle began. It was later modified by the Aragonese.
Bella developed with the unification of surrounding rural homes under an administration desired by the Emperor Frederick II. It was enfeoffed to the Acciaiuoli and partially destroyed during the XIV century.
Bella was reconstructed under the wishes of King Ladislao (XV century), and obtained the status of Royal City in the subsequent century by paying 14.700 ducats. This title, however, was immediately abandoned and the City was entrusted to the Rondone Family (1564), who sold Bella to the Caracciolo Family in 1591. The new owners ruled the City until 1806, the year of abolition of feudal rights.
During the XVII century, as with all regions, Bella was scourged by events of the Plague (1656), famine and earth tremours during 1694, which provoked death in the population and damage to their habitation.
In 1799, the population adhered to the Republican Ideals which were brought to Italy by the French after the French Revolution.
The population was active and also later during the Carbonari and Renaissance motions, which preceded the Unification of Italy (1861) under the Sabaudo Reign.
During the same year, brigands invaded and plundered the village.
When Bella merged into the Reign of Italy, lands were seized and distributed to local farmers in the area.
A further earthquake once again damaged the village during 1980.
Only a portal and two towers remain from the Castle of ancient foundation (XI century). In Bella, one can visit the 15th century Madre dell’Assunta Church and the Santa Maria delle Grazie, which preserves a cycle of frescoes in its interior.
In the surrounding territory finds testifying the Roman period have been uncovered.
The Aragonese Castle (XI century); Madre dell’Assunta Church (XV century), S. Maria della Grazie Church (XVI century).