Foggia
2358151
219465297
2008-06-15T10:43:28Z
82.55.82.243
/* Famous people */
{{Infobox CityIT |
img_coa = Foggia-Stemma.png|
official_name = Comune di Foggia|
name=Foggia|mapx=41.47|mapy=15.5666|
region = [[Puglia]] |
province = [[Province of Foggia|Foggia]] (FG) |
elevation_m = 76 |
area_total_km2 = 507|
population_as_of = [[December 31]], [[2004]]|
population_total = 154780|
population_density_km2 = 288|
timezone = [[Central European Time|CET]], [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]+1 |
coordinates = {{coor dms|41|27|51|N|15|32|46|E}}|
frazioni =Borgo Mezzanone, Arpinova, L'Incoronata, Cervaro, Tavernola, Segezia |
telephone = 0881|
postalcode = 71100 |
gentilic = Foggiani|
saint = Madonna dei Sette Veli|
day = [[March 22]] |
mayor = Orazio Ciliberti |
website = [http://www.comune.foggia.it/ www.comune.foggia.it] |
}}
[[Image:Piazzacavourfoggia.JPG|thumb|250px|Piazza Cavour in Foggia.]]
'''Foggia''' is a city of [[Puglia]], [[Italy]], capital of the [[province of Foggia]]. Foggia is the main city of a plain called [[Capitanata]], also known as the "granary of Italy".
==History==
The name ''Foggia'' derives from [[Latin]] "fovea", meaning "pit". Although the area had been settled since [[Neolithic]] times, and a [[Greater Greece|Greek]] colony known as ''[[Argos]] Hippium'' existed nearby, the first document attesting the existence of the modern city dates from [[1000]] AD: according to the legend, the first settlers were peasants who had found a panel portraying the [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Madonna]], on which three flames burnt.
The area was marshy and unhealthy, being partially dried under [[Robert Guiscard]], who therefore boosted the economic and social growth of the city. The city was the seat of [[Henry, Count of Monte Sant'Angelo]] during the last twenty years of the 11th century. In the 12th century, [[William II of Sicily]] built a cathedral here and further enlarged the settlement.
[[Frederick II, Holy Roman Empire|Frederick II]] had a palace built in Foggia in [[1223]], in which he often sojourned. It was also seat of his court and a ''studium,'' including figures such as [[Michael Scot]], but little of it remains now.
In [[1447]] King [[Alfonso V of Aragon]] built a Custom Palace to tax the local sheep farmers, but this caused a decline of the local economy and the progressive ruin of the land, which again became marshy.
In [[1456]] an earthquake struck Foggia, followed by others in [[1534]], [[1627]] and [[1731]], the latter destroying one third of the city. The [[House of Bourbon]], however, promoted a certain economical growth by boosting the cereal agriculture of Capitanata and rebuilding much of the settlement.
In the 19th century, Foggia received a railway station and important public monuments. The citizens also took part in the riots, which led to the [[unification of Italy|annexation to Italy]] in [[1861]].
By [[1865]], there was a definitive shift from the custom of sheep farming in favour of an agricultural economy. The historical lack of water resources was solved with the construction of the [[Apulian aqueduct]] in [[1924]], when Foggia was already an important hub between northern and southern Italy.
This role pushed the [[Allies]] to bomb the city during [[World War II]], in particular on [[July 22]] and [[August 19]] [[1943]], reducing it to rubble. On [[October 1]] [[1943]] the Allies conquered Foggia, making it a stronghold of their slow offensive towards the north of the peninsula. In [[1959]] and [[2006]] Foggia received, respectively, the Gold Medal for Civil and Military value for its role in World War II.
The makers of the well-known American TV [[sitcom]] "[[All in the Family]]" included in the biography of the main character [[Archie Bunker]] a [[WWII]] service at Foggia, in the ranks of the [[United States Army Air Corps]].
==Main sights==
*The [[cathedral]] of ''Santa Maria de Fovea'', which is directly linked with the patron saint "[[The Madonna|Madonna]] dei Sette Veli" (Madonna of the Seven Veils)
*''Palazzo Dogana'', the historical seat of the sheep custom.
*''Chiesa delle Croci'' ("Church of the Crosses").
*The Three Arches.
*''Arco di Federico II'' ("Arch of Frederick II").
*Archaeological park of Passo di Corvo.
==Economy==
Although relatively less important than once before, the agricultural sector remains the mainstay of Foggia's economy, so much that its area is nicknamed the "granary of Italy".
The few industries present are mostly devoted to food processing. Craftsmanship is also encouraged and developed.
==Sport==
Foggia's stadium is named after Pino Zaccheria, a local pioneer of [[basketball]] killed during [[World War II]]. It is home of the town's football team [[U.S. Foggia]], which currently plays in [[Serie C1/B]].
==Famous people==
*[[Renzo Arbore]], TV showman and musician.
*[[Umberto Giordano]], composer, whose memory is honored in the town square.
*[[Mauro De Mauro]], journalist assassinated by mafia.
*[[Tony Slydini]], master close up magician.
*[[Luigi Tozzi]], Great Mechanical Engineer.
==Twin cities==
*{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Göppingen ]], [[Germany]], from 1971
*{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Pescasseroli]], [[Italy]], from 2005
==See also==
*[[Capitanata]]
*[[Gargano]]
*[[Tavoliere delle Puglie]]
*[[Provincia di Foggia]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://www.teleradioerre.it/ Foggia News and Television]
*[http://www.manganofoggia.it www.ManganoFoggia.it - Website about city of Foggia, with its culture, history, curiosities]
* [http://www.foggiaweb.it/ The portal of Foggia and province]
* [http://www.foggiaweb.it/ultimenotizie Latest news from Foggia and province]
*[http://www.comune.foggia.it/ City of Foggia's official site]
* [http://www.smalltownfoggia.net/forum/index.php/ Small Town Foggia]
* [http://www.vieste.it Small Town Foggia-Vieste]
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{{Province of Foggia}}
[[Category:Foggia| ]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Apulia]]
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