Foggia

Foggia stands in the heart of the Tavoliere delle Puglie – from the Latin fovea, “fossa” (ditch) for the preservation of wheat – it is the capital of a large province which contains 64 municipalities.

Its founding is believed to date back to the Middle Ages (11th century), probably on the ashes of the nearby Arpi, center of Daunia, of which Foggia’s Civic Museum contains many remains. Its location in the center of a primarily agricultural area (the Tavoliere is also called the “granary of Italy”) has made Foggia become the reference for the population of the surrounding rural areas.

It flourished during the Swabian period, when Frederick II chose it as the imperial seat. Two earthquakes (in 1456 and 1731) and bombings during the Second World War caused almost total destruction of the old city.

Traces remain mainly in the nineteenth century urban structure, with 18th and 19th century buildings and churches.

Buildings from the twenty year Fascist period are also of interest, and are works of important Italian architects.

 (source:  Visual Puglia )