Francavilla Fontana

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Comune di Francavilla Fontana
Municipal coat of arms
Location of Francavilla Fontana in Italy
Country	Italy
Region	Puglia
Province	Brindisi (BR)
Mayor	Giuseppe Marinotti
Elevation	140 m (459 ft)
Area	175 km² (68 sq mi)
Population
- Total	36,489
- Density	[n.a.]
Time zone	CET, UTC+1
Coordinates	40°32′N, 17°35′E
Gentilic	Francavillesi
Dialing code	0831
Postal code	72021
Frazioni	Bax
Patron	Madonna della Fontana
- Day	September 14

Francavilla Fontana is a town and municipality (comune) in the province of Brindisi (Puglia, southern Italy).

Contents 1 History 2 Main sights 3 External links 4 References

[edit] History

The name Francavilla has French-Norman origins: "Franca" (tax-free) and "villa" (town). The specification Fontana ("fountain") alludes to a vision of the Virgin Mary witnessed by a Prince, who hence declaring the town a tax-free haven, according to the local legend.

[edit] Main sights

• The massive square Castle (Palazzo Imperiali) of the Imperiali family, to whom, with Oria, it was sold by S. Carlo Borromeo in the 16th century for 40,000 ounces of gold, which he distributed in one day to the poor.
• Mother Church, built from 1743 over a former Angevine edifice.

[edit] External links

• Description of the town (Italian)

[edit] References

v • d • e Puglia · Comuni of the Province of Brindisi Brindisi · Carovigno · Ceglie Messapica · Cellino San Marco · Cisternino · Erchie · Fasano · Francavilla Fontana · Latiano · Mesagne · Oria · Ostuni · San Donaci · San Michele Salentino · San Pancrazio Salentino · San Pietro Vernotico · San Vito dei Normanni · Torchiarolo · Torre Santa Susanna · Villa Castelli

Coordinates: 40°32′N, 17°35′E