Andria (source: Visual Puglia )
The date of the city’s founding is rather uncertain. According to some historians it was Diomed who established its borders and then called it Andros; others say it was built after evangelisation by Saint Andrew and Saint Peter in the area. Nevertheless they all agree that the fall of the western Roman Empire give a strong impetus to urbanization of the city. In 1046 the city was under the reign of Peter the Norman and became “civitas”, fortified with a circle of walls and 12 watchtowers. Andria became Ghibelline in 1200 and was faithful to Frederick II of Swabia. In 1350 and 1370 it suffered two assaults, the first of which, at the hands of Lombard and German mercenaries, was particularly damaging. In 1487 the city fell under the reign of the Aragonese, and witnessed a period filled with battles; later the long reign of the Carafa began. Andria became a royal city in 1700 and in 1806 began a period of rule under Giuseppe Bonaparte and Murat. The city is also famous for its participation in Garibaldi’s efforts, providing around a hundred men to the army of the Thousand.
(continue...)
Imperial Puglia indicates the geographical area including the municipalities of Andria, Barletta, Bisceglie, Canosa di Puglia, Corato, Margherita di Savoia, Minervino Murge, San Ferdinando di Puglia, Spinazzola, Trani, Trinitapoli and is located between the provinces of Foggia and Bari. The project called “Puglia imperiale” stems from the need for promoting the history of those eleven municipalities and unite them under the auspices of the impressive Castel del Monte, which was awarded the status of heritage of mankind by UNESCO and acknowledged as the expression of the creative genius of Frederick II, who lived in this land for long periods. One can either cross this territory along the coast exceeding 40 km or over the Murge plateau, which reaches 600 metres above the sea level, up to the Adriatic sea, but the feeling remains of going through its very ancient history rich in tokens, cathedrals, castles and a wonderful countryside.
Colossus - Barletta
Follow Frederick II’s steps among charming medieval villages and castles. However, the history of this land dates back to a more distant past. The megalithic underground structures of Trinitapoli and San Ferdinando, or the dolmens of Bisceglie and Corato are tokens of archaic civilisations and Canosa, the main city of the region during the Imperial age, maintains the beauty of a glorious past which can be still be traced today
Go to list
Civilisation developed along the only river of Puglia. The first tokens date back to the bronze age, followed by the archaic Greek and Latin settlements, until the Romanesque period. The presence of Frederick II is witnessed everywhere, and in the 16th century Barletta saw the emergence of national pride through the victory over the French knights during the famous "challenge"
Barletta, Trani, Bisceglie were important landing sites during the journey to the Holy Land and still host ancient towers to monitor a rich a fruitful coast. The coast of Imperial Puglia exceeds 40 km in length and is characterised by very interesting swamps in terms of the passage of dozens of thousands of migrating birds spending the Winter near the famous Salt works of Margherita di Savoia
Project created in collaboration with InnovaPuglia.
Regione Puglia
Regione Puglia