An important center with an agricultural tradition and vocation, which recently has become an established resort of the Ionian coast in the province of Matera. Scanzano Jonico gained its administrative independence from the nearby town of Montalbano Jonico, only in 1974. Located in an area inhabited since ancient times, the village developed only in the Middle Ages, under the supervision of the Basilian monks of St. Elias di Carbone (a small town of the Pollino area). Over the centuries the town submitted the domain of Pedro de Toledo and several other feudal families.
Not to miss:
- the Baron's Palace, commonly known as "Palazzaccio, a square plan building with towers, battlements and arch framed windows. Inside you can visit an interesting chapel;
- the fortified sighting Tower, located near the beach and built during the Aragonese domain;
- the cylindrical fortified sighting Tower, located in the district of "Terzo Madonna";
- the Masseria (fortified farm) located in the district of Recoleta area, built between the XVII and XVIII centuries;
- the remains of ancient Mycenaean and Greek settlements (Termititio);
- the Church of the Assumption, which preserves inside a fine silver crown of the Madonna and other XVIII century statues.