Canosa di Puglia

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Comune di Canosa di Puglia
Municipal coat of arms
Country	Italy
Region	Puglia
Province	Bari (BA)
Mayor	Francesco Ventola
Elevation	140 m
Area	149 km²
Population
- Total	31,500
- Density	204/km²
Time zone	CET, UTC+1
Coordinates	41°13′N 16°04′E
Gentilic	Canosini
Dialing code	0883
Postal code	70053
Frazioni	Loconia
Patron	San Sabino
- Day	August 1
Website: www.comune.canosa.ba.it

Canosa should not be confused with Canossa in northern Italy.

Canosa di Puglia (or simply, Canosa; Latin: Canusium) is a town and comune in Apulia in southern Italy, between Bari and Foggia, located in the province of Bari, not far from the position on the Ofanto River where the Romans found refuge after the defeat of Cannæ. It is the burial place of Bohemund I of Antioch.

Canosa is considered the principal archaeological center of Puglia, and is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in Italy. A number of important vases and other archaeological finds are located in local museums and private collections.

In 2009, when the Province of Bari will be split, Canosa will be part of the new Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani.

[edit] History

According to tradition, Canosa, then called Canusium, was founded by the Homeric hero Diomedes. Historically, it was one of the main center of the Dauni, in an area where human presence dates back from the 7th millennium BC.

In 318 BC the city allied with Rome, helping the Romans after their defeat at Cannae (216 BC). It became a Roman municipium in 88 BC and was a flourishing center for the production of wool. In 109 AD it was reached by the Via Traiana and in 141 an aqueduct brought fresh water ot the city. In the late 3rd century it became the capital of the Provincia Apuliae et Calabriae. In the following century it was the most important Christian diocese of southern Italy, famous as the "Bishop's City" and reaching the peak of its splendour under bishop Sabinus (514-566).

Under the Lombards, it was the seat of gastaldate, and in the following centuries suffered several Saracen attacks. Under the Normans (11th-12th centuries) Canosa recovered some importance, in particular thanks to prince Bohemund of Hauteville. However, after the end of the Hohenstaufen domination in Italy, it lived a decline that lasted until the 18th century: in this period it was ruled by the Orsini del Balzo, Grimaldi of Monaco, Affaitati and Capece Minutolo families.

[edit] Main sights

• The Hypogeums Lagrasta are the most remarkable set of apogees in Canosa and in the whole region. It dates back to the 6th-1st century BC and is divided into three hypogeums.
• The Italic Temple consecrated to the goddess Minerva-Athena Ilias. The heathen temple was destroyed in the 6th century AD in order to set up a christian basilica.
• Arch of Trajan, dating back to 109 BC, it was ordered by yhe Emperor Trajan.
• The Cathedral, which dates back to the 6th century AD. At the end of the 9th century it was consecrated to Saint John and Saint Paul, and on 1 August 800 St. Sabine’s holy relics was transferred here.
• The Mausoleum of Bohemund of Hauteville (1111), a noteworthy example (the only in the West) of either Islamic or Syrian inspiration.
• The Baptistery (514-566).
• Roman Bridge over the Ofanto river (1st century AD), which allowed the Via Traiana to cross the river. It was used for road traffic until the 1970s.
• Arch of Terentius Varro, dedicated to the Roman consul who fought at Cannae.
• The Acropolis (Castle), with its carachteristic narrow alleys and staircases. At the summit are the ruins of the Norman castle, built over a pre-existing Roman bastion and later possession of the Hohenstaufen and the Grimaldi.
• Casieri Tower.
• Hypogeum of the Cerberus (4th-3rd century BC).
• Hypogeum of the Hoplite (4th century BC).
• Hypogeum Monterisi - Rossignoli (4th century BC).
• Mausoleum Bagnoli (2nd century AD).
• Temple of Jupiter Taurus (1st century BC - 1st century AD).
• Thermae Lomuscio (1st century BC).
• The Civic Museum contains archaeological and historic finds of rare values (approximately 2,000 artefacts).
• Palazzo Sinesi contains 400 findings dating back to 4th-3rd centuries BC.
• Palazzo Iliceto' is a puppet museum (19th-20th centuries).
• The excavations of Saint Peter are the most important archaeological school-camping in Italy.

[edit] External links

• Campi Diomedei: Information