Torremaggiore

Torremaggiore
—  Comune  —
Comune di Torremaggiore
Torremaggiore
Location of Torremaggiore in Italy
Coordinates:
Country Italy
Region Apulia
Province Foggia (FG)
Government
 • Mayor Vincenzo Ciancio (centre-left) (Centre-Right)
Area
 • Total 208 km2 (80.3 sq mi)
Elevation 169 m (554 ft)
Population (1 August 2009)
 • Total 17,307
 • Density 83.2/km2 (215.5/sq mi)
Demonym Torremaggioresi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 71017
Dialing code 0882
Patron saint St. Sabinus Bishop
Saint day First Sunday in June
Website Official website

Torremaggiore is a town and comune in the province of Foggia in the Apulia region of southeast Italy.

It lies on a hill, 169 m over the sea, and is famous for production of wine and olives.

Contents

History

The history of Torremaggiore is strictly connected to that ot the burg of Fiorentino (also Castel Fiorentino), a Byzantine frontier stronghold founded by the catepan Basil Boioannes in 1018. Later a Norman, Hohenstaufen, Angevine and finally Aragonese possession, it is especially remembered as the death place of Emperor Frederick II (December 13, 1250).

Five years later the burg was attacked by Pope Alexander IV's troops, and the inhabitants fled to a nearby Benedictine abbey. Later they were allowed to found a new settlement, called Codacchio, later, when other refugees from Dragonara arrived, christened Terra Maioris ("Major Land"), the modern Torremaggiore. This burg was later a fief of the counts of Sangro. It was destroyed by an earthquake on July 30, 1627.

From August 25, 1925 Torremaggiore was connected to the nearby San Severo by a tramway, the first in southern Italy.

Main sights

Notable people

Twinnings

Sister School

References

  1. ^ ‘Chi era Nicola Fiani?’, Liceo Ginnasio Statale “N. Fiani”, Torremaggiore.