Lesina (commune)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Comune di Lesina | |
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Municipal coat of arms |
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Country | Italy |
Region | Puglia |
Province | Foggia (FG) |
Area | 159 km² (61 sq mi) |
Population (as of 2004-12-31) | |
- Total | 6,286 |
- Density | 40/km² (104/sq mi) |
Time zone | CET, UTC+1 |
Coordinates | |
Gentilic | Lesinesi |
Dialing code | 0882 |
Postal code | 71010 |
Frazioni | Ripalta |
Patron | San Primiano Martire, San Firmiano Martire, Maria Santissima Annunziata |
- Day | May 15 |
Lesina is a town and comune on the northern side of Monte Gargano in the province of Foggia in the Puglia region of southeast Italy.
Lesina lies on the northern side of Gargano and on the shores of the lake with the same name. It is, par excellence, a maritime village known for the production of (female) eels. The site, populated since the Neolithic era, is extremely fascinating: a narrow strip of land covered with sandy dunes and little woods, separating the lake from the sea, which creeps into its waters through three canals. Thanks to the salinity of its waters, the eels of Lesina Lake are appreciated everywhere and requested by the major chefs.
Devio hill, only 252 meters high, divides the two lakes, Lesina and Varano, and some findings of the Neolithic era have been found there. Lesina, built after the immigration of Dalmatian fishers, and known to Romans as Alexina, was often afflicted by earthquakes and sea flooding, and its population decimated by malaria.
The hot waters of Caldoli stream, not very far and near San Nazario Sanctuary, testify its volcanic activities. Today Lesina keeps its ancient fascination: the old village with its impressive Cathedral, the Episcopal Palace dating back to 1200 and a walk on the lakefront brings us back to times in which the village only lived for fishing.