Andria, Italy
Encyclopedia
Andria is a city and comune
Comune
In Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.-Importance and function:...

in Apulia
Apulia
Apulia is a region in Southern Italy bordering the Adriatic Sea in the east, the Ionian Sea to the southeast, and the Strait of Òtranto and Gulf of Taranto in the south. Its most southern portion, known as Salento peninsula, forms a high heel on the "boot" of Italy. The region comprises , and...

 (southern Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...

). It is an agricultural and service center, producing wine, olives and almonds. It is the fourth-largest municipality in the Apulia region (behind Bari
Bari
Bari is the capital city of the province of Bari and of the Apulia region, on the Adriatic Sea, in Italy. It is the second most important economic centre of mainland Southern Italy after Naples, and is well known as a port and university city, as well as the city of Saint Nicholas...

, Taranto
Taranto
Taranto is a coastal city in Apulia, Southern Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Taranto and is an important commercial port as well as the main Italian naval base....

, and Foggia
Foggia
Foggia is a city and comune of Apulia, Italy, capital of the province of Foggia. Foggia is the main city of a plain called Tavoliere, also known as the "granary of Italy".-History:...

) and the largest municipality of the new Province
Provinces of Italy
In Italy, a province is an administrative division of intermediate level between a municipality and a region .-Overview:...

, in May 21, 2010 it became the government seat of the new Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani
Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani
The Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani is a province of Italy in the Apulia region. The establishment of the province took effect in June 2009, and Andria was appointed as its seat of government on May 21, 2010....

 effective as of June 2009.

History

Different theories exist about the origins of Andria. In 915 it is mentioned as a "casale" ("hamlet") depending from Trani
Trani
Trani is a seaport of Apulia, southern Italy, on the Adriatic Sea, in the new Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani , and 40 km by railway West-Northwest of Bari.- History :...

; it acquired the status of city around 1046, when the Norman count Peter
Peter I of Trani
Peter I , also known as Petronius , was the first Norman count of Trani. He was one of the most prominent of the twelve leaders of the Norman mercenaries serving Guaimar IV of Salerno. Though it had not yet been conquered from the Byzantine Empire, Peter received Trani in the Normans' division of...

 enlarged and fortified the settlements in the area (including also Barletta
Barletta
Barletta is a city and comune located in the north of Apulia in south eastern Italy. Its current population is 94,140.It is famous for the Colossus of Barletta, a bronze statue, representing a Roman Emperor...

, Corato
Corato
Corato is a town and comune in Italy. It is located in Bari province, Puglia region, southeastern Italy. Founded by the Normans, it became subject to Alfonso V, king of Aragon, at the end of the 15th century, and later to the Carafa family. The chief features of the ancient centre of the town,...

 and Bisceglie
Bisceglie
Bisceglie is a town and comune on the Adriatic Sea, with a population of c. 54,000, in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, Apulia , southern Italy....

).

In 14th century, under the Angevins
Capetian House of Anjou
The Capetian House of Anjou, also known as the House of Anjou-Sicily and House of Anjou-Naples, was a royal house and cadet branch of the direct House of Capet. Founded by Charles I of Sicily, a son of Louis VIII of France, the Capetian king first ruled the Kingdom of Sicily during the 13th century...

, Andria became seat of a Duchy. In 1350 it was besieged by German and Lombard mercenaries of the Hungarian army, and in 1370 by the troops of Queen Joan I of Naples
Joan I of Naples
Joan I , born Joanna of Anjou, was Queen of Naples from 1343 until her death. She was also Countess of Provence and Forcalquier, Queen consort of Majorca and titular Queen of Jerusalem and Sicily 1343–82, and Princess of Achaea 1373/5–81....

. In 1431 the ruler of Andria Francesco II Del Balzo found the mortal remains of Saint Richard of Andria
Richard of Andria
Richard was Bishop of Andria, Italy. He was appointed to the see of Andria by felllow Englishman Pope Adrian IV. In 1179, Richard was one of the Bishops present at the Eleventh Ecumenical Council held by Pope Alexander III. He remained in his office until his death, a period of well over 40 years....

, the current patron saint, and instituted the Fair of Andria (23–30 April). In 1487 the city was acquired by the Aragon
Aragon
Aragon is a modern autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. Located in northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces : Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel. Its capital is Zaragoza...

ese, the Duchy passing to the future King Frederick IV of Naples
Frederick IV of Naples
Frederick IV , sometimes known as Frederick I or Federico d'Aragona, was the last King of Naples of the House of Trastámara, ruling from 1496 to 1501...

. Later (1552), it was sold by the Spanish to Fabrizio Carafa, for the sum of 100,000 ducats.

The Carafa
Carafa
Carafa is the name of a noble Neapolitan family of Italian nobles, clergy, and men of arts.* Cardinal Oliviero Carafa, , uncle of Paul IV...

s ruled the city until 1799, when the French
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...

 troops captured it after a long siege. After the Bourbon
House of Bourbon
The House of Bourbon is a European royal house, a branch of the Capetian dynasty . Bourbon kings first ruled Navarre and France in the 16th century. By the 18th century, members of the Bourbon dynasty also held thrones in Spain, Naples, Sicily, and Parma...

 restoration, Andria was a protagonist of the Risorgimento and, after the unification of Italy, the brigandage era.

Geography

The city is located in the area of the Murgia
Murgia
Murgia is a sub-region of Apulia in southern Italy, corresponding to a karst topographic plateau of rectangular shape, occupying the central area of the region. The name stems from the Latin murex, meaning "sharp stone"....

 and dists 10 km (6.21 mi) from Barletta
Barletta
Barletta is a city and comune located in the north of Apulia in south eastern Italy. Its current population is 94,140.It is famous for the Colossus of Barletta, a bronze statue, representing a Roman Emperor...

 and the Adriatic coast
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...

. Its municipality, the 16th per area in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...

, borders with Barletta
Barletta
Barletta is a city and comune located in the north of Apulia in south eastern Italy. Its current population is 94,140.It is famous for the Colossus of Barletta, a bronze statue, representing a Roman Emperor...

, Canosa di Puglia, Corato
Corato
Corato is a town and comune in Italy. It is located in Bari province, Puglia region, southeastern Italy. Founded by the Normans, it became subject to Alfonso V, king of Aragon, at the end of the 15th century, and later to the Carafa family. The chief features of the ancient centre of the town,...

 (BA
Province of Bari
The Province of Bari is a province in the Apulia region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Bari.It has an area of 5,138 km², and a total population of 1,594,109 . There are 48 comuni in the province, see Comuni of the Province of Bari...

), Minervino Murge
Minervino Murge
Minervino Murge is a town and comune in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani in western Puglia, southern Italy, on the western flank of the Murgia Barese mountain chain. It is 16 km south of Canosa di Puglia and 17 km north of Spinazzola, in the Alta Murgia National Park.The town's...

, Ruvo di Puglia
Ruvo di Puglia
Ruvo di Puglia is a town and comune in the province of Bari, Puglia, Italy that is essentially devoted to agriculture, wine and olive growing. It is part of the Murge karst landscape.-Geography and territory:...

 (BA), Spinazzola
Spinazzola
Spinazzola is a town and comune in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, Apulia, Italy.-Famous people:*Pope Innocent XII was born here in the castle of the Pignatelli family, now destroyed....

 and Trani
Trani
Trani is a seaport of Apulia, southern Italy, on the Adriatic Sea, in the new Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani , and 40 km by railway West-Northwest of Bari.- History :...

.

Main sights

Andria was a favorite residence of Emperor Frederick II
Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick II , was one of the most powerful Holy Roman Emperors of the Middle Ages and head of the House of Hohenstaufen. His political and cultural ambitions, based in Sicily and stretching through Italy to Germany, and even to Jerusalem, were enormous...

, who built nearby the imposing 13th century Castel del Monte, one of the most famous Italian castles that was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...

 in 1996.

Other attractions include:
  • The 12th-century cathedral
    Andria Cathedral
    Andria Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Andria in Apulia, Italy, up to 2009 in the Province of Bari but from then onwards to be part of the newly formed Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani...

    , which has an 7th-century crypt.
  • The Ducal Palace, a fortified residence renovated in the 16th century.
  • The church of San Domenico (14th century, largely renovated in the following centuries). It contains a bust of Duke Francesco II Del Balzo attributed to Francesco Laurana
    Francesco Laurana
    Francesco Laurana, also known as Francesco de la Vrana was a Dalmatian-born sculptor and medallist. He is considered as both Croatian and Italian sculptor.-Life and works:...

    , and a 16th century wooden sculpture of the Madonna with Child.
  • The church of Sant'Agostino, built in the 13th century by the Teutonic Knights
    Teutonic Knights
    The Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem , commonly the Teutonic Order , is a German medieval military order, in modern times a purely religious Catholic order...

    , who originally dedicated it to one of their patrons, Saint Leonard
    Leonard of Noblac
    Leonard of Noblac or of Limoges or de Noblet , is a Frankish saint closely associated with the town and abbey of Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat, in Haute-Vienne, in the Limousin of France.-Traditional biography:According to the romance that...

    . The church was later handed over to the Benedictines, and rebuilt by the Augustinians after the sieges of 1350. The main points of interests are the Gothic-style gates, with precious reliefs and crests of the Del Balzo and Anjou families, as well as the Teutonic eagles.
  • The church of St. Francis with its cloister (12th century).
  • The Communal Palace.
  • The Sanctuary of Santa Maria dei Miracoli (16th century), 2 km from Andria, housing a venerated Byzantine icon from the 9th-10th centuries. The basilica is on three different levels. The lower, and most ancient, comprises a hall with a nave and two aisles, with decoration showing stories from Genesis. The middle level (Tempietto) has three arcades in polychrome marbles, and is home to the Byzantine icon. The upper level, the 18th century basilica designed by Cosimo Fanzago
    Cosimo Fanzago
    Cosimo Fanzago was an Italian architect and sculptor, generally considered the greatest such artist of the Baroque period in Naples, Italy.-Biography:...

    , is preceded by another church, dedicated to the Holy Crucifix and decorated with frescoes depicting the Passion of Christ.
  • The church of the Holy Cross (9th century). It has a nave and two aisles, separated by four pilasters. The crypt was dug in a tuff
    Tuff
    Tuff is a type of rock consisting of consolidated volcanic ash ejected from vents during a volcanic eruption. Tuff is sometimes called tufa, particularly when used as construction material, although tufa also refers to a quite different rock. Rock that contains greater than 50% tuff is considered...

     rock and includes some natural grottoes.
  • The church of Santa Maria di Porta Santa (13th century).

Transportation

Andria is connected by the A14 National Motorway, and the SP 231 provincial road connecting it to Bari
Bari
Bari is the capital city of the province of Bari and of the Apulia region, on the Adriatic Sea, in Italy. It is the second most important economic centre of mainland Southern Italy after Naples, and is well known as a port and university city, as well as the city of Saint Nicholas...

 and Foggia
Foggia
Foggia is a city and comune of Apulia, Italy, capital of the province of Foggia. Foggia is the main city of a plain called Tavoliere, also known as the "granary of Italy".-History:...

.

Railways are managed by the Ferrovie del Nord Barese
Ferrovie del Nord Barese
The Ferrovie del Nord Barese are a regional railroad company active in Apulia, southern Italy, managing the Bari-Barletta line. The company serving the line is the Ferrotramviaria S.p.A....

 (Ferrotramviaria Spa), with the Bari-Barletta line. The nearest Trenitalia
Trenitalia
Trenitalia is the primary train operator in Italy. Trenitalia is owned by Ferrovie dello Stato, itself owned by the Italian Government. It was created in 2000 following the EU directive on the deregulation of rail transport.-Passenger transport:...

-FS (Italian national railroads) station is that of Barletta, 10 km from Andria.

The nearest airport is that of Bari, 45 km away.

Sport

The local football club is the Andria BAT
A.S. Andria BAT
Associazione Sportiva Andria BAT or simply A.S. Andria is an Italian football club, based in Andria, Apulia.The team currently plays in Lega Pro Prima Divisione.The team's colors are blue and white.- Fidelis Andria :...

, formerly "Fidelis Andria". Its home stadium is the Stadio degli Ulivi
Stadio Degli Ulivi
Stadio Degli Ulivi, is a multi-purpose stadium in Andria, Italy. It is mainly used for football matches and hosts the home matches of A.S. Andria BAT of the Lega Pro Prima Divisione. The stadium has a capacity of 9,140 spectators....

.

Notable people

  • Peter I of Trani
    Peter I of Trani
    Peter I , also known as Petronius , was the first Norman count of Trani. He was one of the most prominent of the twelve leaders of the Norman mercenaries serving Guaimar IV of Salerno. Though it had not yet been conquered from the Byzantine Empire, Peter received Trani in the Normans' division of...

  • Conrad IV of Germany
    Conrad IV of Germany
    Conrad IV was king of Jerusalem , of Germany , and of Sicily .-Biography:...

  • Isabella II of Jerusalem, buried in the Cathedral
    Andria Cathedral
    Andria Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Andria in Apulia, Italy, up to 2009 in the Province of Bari but from then onwards to be part of the newly formed Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani...

     crypt
  • Isabella of England
    Isabella of England
    For Isabella of England, the daughter of Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault, see Isabella de Coucy.Isabella of England, also called Elizabeth was an English princess and, by marriage, Holy Roman Empress, German Queen, and Queen consort of Sicily.-Biography:She was the fourth child but...

    , buried in the Cathedral
    Andria Cathedral
    Andria Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Andria in Apulia, Italy, up to 2009 in the Province of Bari but from then onwards to be part of the newly formed Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani...

     crypt
  • Farinelli
    Farinelli
    Farinelli , was the stage name of Carlo Maria Broschi, celebrated Italian castrato singer of the 18th century and one of the greatest singers in the history of opera.- Early years :...

  • Richard of Andria
    Richard of Andria
    Richard was Bishop of Andria, Italy. He was appointed to the see of Andria by felllow Englishman Pope Adrian IV. In 1179, Richard was one of the Bishops present at the Eleventh Ecumenical Council held by Pope Alexander III. He remained in his office until his death, a period of well over 40 years....

  • Vincenzo Carafa
    Vincenzo Carafa
    Vincenzo Carafa or Caraffa was an Italian Jesuit priest and spiritual writer, elected the 7th Superior-General of the Society of Jesus. He is a Servant of God....

  • Corrado Ursi
    Corrado Ursi
    Corrado Ursi was an Italian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Naples from 1966 to 1987, and was created a cardinal in 1967, given the titular church of San Callisto.-Biography:...

  • Lino Banfi
    Lino Banfi
    Lino Banfi is an Italian film actor and presenter. He has appeared in over 100 films since 1960.-Biography:...

  • Antonio Matarrese
    Antonio Matarrese
    Antonio Matarrese is an Italian sports manager for soccer.-Career:Matarrese graduated with a degree in business administration and he is Certified Public Accountant. He is CEO of the S. Matarrese Plc Group...


External links

Andria official website Andria web portal
  • Map of Andria on Google Maps
    Google Maps
    Google Maps is a web mapping service application and technology provided by Google, free , that powers many map-based services, including the Google Maps website, Google Ride Finder, Google Transit, and maps embedded on third-party websites via the Google Maps API...

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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