The church known as Santa Maria Nova (new), in contrast to the Cathedral Santa Maria Veteris (old), was built by the Basilian monks. The region was then considered to be the most fertile area of the country and today, it is still known as the land of gardens and 'Greeks'.
A type of Greek monastic settlement existed at this time and was donated by King Roger II to the French abbey Chaise-Dieu in 1133. Irsina was then declared the seat of the priorate and was the furthest post from the abbey, plus, the only one south of Lucca.

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