Francavilla Fontana

Francavilla Fontana is a town and comune (municipality) in the province of Brindisi (Puglia, southern Italy). And it's also called "Imperiali Town" after the feudal lords that ruled the town from the end of 16th to 18th century. Geography Francavilla is located in the Altosalento, on the last Murge's hills, and it is equidistant, about 35 kilometres (22 mi), from Taranto and Brindisi. 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. 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 construction. Torre dell'Orologio (watchtower), built in 1750. Twin towns San Giovanni al Natisone, Italy References This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. External links "Francavilla Fontana". Brindisi Virtual Tour. Archived from the original on 24 May 2009. Retrieved 25 March 2008. (Italian)