Torremaggiore

Torremaggiore is a town and comune in the province of Foggia in the Apulia region of southeast Italy. It lies on a hill, 169 metres (554 ft) over the sea, and is famous for production of wine and olives. 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. On March 17, 1862 a platoon of royal troops was defeated by the brigands of Carmine Crocco; 21 soldiers were killed, even their captain Francesco Richard. From August 25, 1925 Torremaggiore was connected to the nearby San Severo by a tramway, the first in southern Italy. Main sights The Castle of the Dukes of Sangro, built from a Norman tower, it has maintained the Renaissance appearance. It has four circular and two square towers, and a throne hall with a precious 17th-century fresco frieze. It is home to the archaeological exhibition of findings from Fiorentino. Chiesa matrice di San Nicola ("Mother Church of St. Nicholas", 13th century), built by the refugees from Fiorentino and Dragonara. It was rebuilt in 1631 after the earthquake. Church of Santa Maria della Strada (early 16th century). Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Fontana. Church of the Madonna di Loreto (16th century), erected by Albanian immigrants. It was rebuilt in 1627. Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli (17th century). Castle of "Fiorentino" (11th century), the place of the death of Frederick II. Castle of "Dragonara" (11th century). Notable people Rogerius of Apulia (c.1205–1266), medieval Roman Catholic monk and chronicler Luigi Rossi (1597–1653), musician Raimondo di Sangro (1710–1771), prince and scientist Nicola Fiani (1757–1799), patriot and radical, executed after the collapse of the Parthenopean Republic Fortune Gallo (1878–1970), opera impresario Nicola Sacco (1891–1927), anarchist, executed following a controversial American trial Twinnings Buffalo, United States Canosa di Puglia, Italy Villafalletto, Italy Sister School Hutchinson Central Technical High School in Buffalo, United States References