Compsa was an ancient city of the Hirpini occupied by the Carthaginian conqueror Hannibal in 216 BC.

In 973, the gastald (city-based Lombard royal domain district administrator and judge) Landulf seized the principality.

It was rebuilt in the area called Piano delle Briglie, 8 km (5 mi) from the former center.

Conza della Campania has also about 10,000 visitors a year[citation needed] at its Archeological site, Compsa, discovered after the earthquake of 1980 that destroyed the old town.

Other sights include the archaeological area of Compsa and the natural oasis of Lake Conza, an artificial basin on the Ofanto river.