Oria, Italy

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Comune di Oria
Coat of arms of Comune di Oria
Municipal coat of arms
Country Flag of Italy Italy
Region Apulia
Province Brindisi (BR)
Elevation 83 m (272 ft)
Area 83 km² (32 sq mi)
Population (as of December 31, 2004)
 - Total 15,414
 - Density 186/km² (482/sq mi)
Time zone CET, UTC+1
Coordinates 40°30′N, 17°38′E
Gentilic Oritani
Dialing code 0831
Postal code 72024
Patron Barsanuphius of Palestine
 - Day August 29
Website: Comune di Oria
A Panoramic image of Oria.
A Panoramic image of Oria.

Oria (or Orra, Greek: Hyria, Uria) is a town in the Apulia region, in the province of Brindisi, in southern Italy.

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[edit] History

In classical times, Oria was known as Hyria (Uria) or Hyrium, a city in ancient Messapia and one of the principal Messapian cities. It was located just north of the ancient town Manduria, at some distance southwest of Brundisium, and southeast of Taras/Tarentum; corresponding to the location of the modern town.

A coin from Oria, Roman age, portraying Hercules.
A coin from Oria, Roman age, portraying Hercules.

According to Herodotus (7.170), it was founded by the Messapians (who according to Herodotus were originally Cretans) sometime after the abortive siege of the Sicanian city Camicus. Between 217 and 84 BC the city was minting its own coins. The coins often feature Iapagus, the Iapygian national hero.

Hyria was conquered by the Romans. It was destroyed in AD 924 and 977. In 1266, Oria was besieged by Manfred of Sicily.

[edit] People from Oria

The neoclassisictic writer Francesco Milizia was born in Oria in 1725.

[edit] Twin cities

[edit] External links