San Severo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Comune di San Severo | |
|---|---|
 Municipal coat of arms |
|
| Country |  Italy |
| Region | Apulia |
| Province | Foggia (FG) |
| Mayor | |
| Elevation | 90 m |
| Area | 333 km² |
| Population | |
| - Total (as of 2001) | 55,861 |
| - Density | 167.75/km² |
| Time zone | CET, UTC+1 |
| Coordinates | |
| Gentilic | Sanseveresi |
| Dialing code | 0882 |
| Postal code | 71016 |
| Patron | St. Severinus Abbot, San Severus Bishop, Maria SS. del Soccorso |
| - Day | Monday after third Sunday in May |
  Location of San Severo in Italy |
|
| Website: www.comune.san-severo.fg.it | |
San Severo is an Apulian big town of the province of Foggia, Italy.
It rises on the foot of the spur of Gargano and is cathedral city since 1580. San Severo has still the ruins of its old fortifications.
Contents |
[edit] History
San Severo was founded in the 11th century around a small church built by the Benedictine monks from Montecassino. Its developement as trade town was rapid. In 1053 it represented the scene of the historical victory by Roberto il Guiscardo over the papal troops under Pope Leo IX (see Battle of Civitate). After risen up against the royal authority, it was completaly destroyed by Emperor Frederick II in 1233 and was sold to the Knights Templar. After that it became a royal town and seat of the Governor of the Capitanata - ancient name of the province of Foggia - and the province of Molise.
In 1579, because of its decline, it was sold to the princess of Sangro.
In 1799 the town was conquered by the French soldiers and destroyed again. The overlordship was inherited from the Benedictine monks of the abbey of Torremaggiore, the Knights Templars, the Crown of Naples and the family posseding the Valley of Sangro, the lords of Torremaggiore.
In 1627, 1828 and 1851 the town endured several demaging earthquakes.
During World War II San Severo was the home of a U.S. airbase of the Fifteenth Air Force. P-51 fighters of the 31st Fighter Brigade lead the armed esorts and support operations from San Severo on April 2, 1944 to March 3, 1945.
[edit] Main sights
- Cathedral of Our Lady of Assumption (Santa Maria Assunta) now in Baroque style, housing a valuable 12th century font.
- Mother Church of St. Severino (Chiesa Matrice di San Severino) - which has conserved part of the Romanesque exterior.
- Palace of the Bishop (Palazzo del Vescovo).
- Palace of the Seminary (17th century, Palazzo del Seminario).
[edit] Famous people
Raimondo from Sangro (1719–1771), a learned, eccentric and controversial free-thinker and inventor, became Prince of San Severo.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
