Torremaggiore

Comune di Torremaggiore
Image:Torremaggiore-Stemma.gif Municipal coat of arms
Country	Italy
Region	Apulia
Province	Foggia (FG)
Mayor
Elevation	169 m
Area	208 km²
Population
- Total (as of 2004-12-31)	16,979
- Density	82/km²
Time zone	CET, UTC+1
Coordinates	41°41′N, 15°17′E
Gentilic	Torremaggioresi
Dialing code	0882
Postal code	71017
Patron	St. Sabinus Bishop
- Day	First Sunday in June
Image:Italy Regions 220px (including Pelagie Islands).png Image:Red pog.svg Location of Torremaggiore in Italy
Website: www.comune.torremaggiore.fg.it

Torremaggiore is a town and comune in the province of Foggia in the Apulia region of southeast Italy.

It lies on a hill, 169 m over the sea, and is famous for production of wine and olives.

History

The history of Torremaggiore is strictly connected to that ot the burg of Fiorentino (also Castel Fiorentino), a Byzantine frontier stronghold founded by the catepan Basil Boioannes in 1018. Later a Norman, Hohenstaufen, Angevine and finally Aragonese possession, it is especially remembered as the death place of Emperor Frederick II (december 13 1250).

Five years later the burg was attacked by Pope Alexander IV's troops, and the inhabitants fled to a nearby Benedictine abbey. Later they were allowed to found a new settlement, called Codacchio, later, when other refugees from Dragonara arrived, christened Terra Maioris ("Major Land"), the modern Torremaggiore. This burg was later a fief of the counts of Sangro. It was destroyed by an earthquake on July 30 1627.

From August 25 1925 Terramaggiore was connected to the nearby San Severo by a tramway, the first in southern Italy.

Main sights

• The Castle of the Dukes of Sangro, built from a Norman tower, it has maintainted the Renaissance appearance. It has fourc circular and two square towers, and a throne hall with a precious 17th century fresco frieze. It is home to the archaeological exhibition of findings from Fiorentino.
• Chiesa matrice di San Nicola ("Mother Church of St. Nicholas", 13th century), built by the refugees from Fiorentino and Dragonara. It was rebuilt in 1631 after the earthquake.
• Church of Santa Maria della Strada (early 16th century).
• Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Fontana.
• Church of the Madonna di Loreto (16th century), erected by Albanian immigrates. It was rebuilt in 1627.
• Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli (17th century).

Notable people

• Raimondo di Sangro, prince and scientist

Twinnings

• Buffalo, United States
• Canosa di Puglia, Italy

Sister School

• Hutchinson Central Technical High School in Buffalo, United States

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Wikipedia information about Torremaggiore This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Torremaggiore". It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer). Help contribute to Americola and edit this article.