Andria, Italy

Infobox CityIT
img_coa = Andria-Stemma.png official_name = Comune di Andria
region = Apulia
province = Bari (BA)
elevation_m = 151
area_total_km2 = 407.86
population_as_of = 2007-12-31
population_total = 98841
population_density_km2 =
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|41|13|N|16|18|E
name=Andria| mapx =41.268|mapy=16.31
frazioni = Castel del Monte, Montegrosso
telephone = 0883
postalcode = 70031
gentilic = Andriesi
saint = St. Richard of England
day = April 4
mayor =
website = [http://www.comune.andria.ba.it www.comune.andria.ba.it]

Andria (än'drēä) is a city and "comune" in the province of Bari, Apulia (southern Italy). It is an agricultural and service center, handling wine, olives, and almonds. It is the fourth-largest commune in the Apulia region (behind Bari, Taranto, and Foggia), and currently the second-largest in the Province of Bari. However, that status will soon change, as it is the largest commune in the planned break-away Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani that will be effective in the year 2009.

History

Different theories exist about the origins of Andria. In 915 AD it is mentioned as a "casale" ("household") depending from Trani; it acquired the status of city around 1046, when the Norman count Peter enlarged and fortified the settlements in the area (including also Barletta, Corato and Bisceglie).

In the 14th century, under the Angevines, Andria became seat of a Duchy. In 1350 it was besieged by German and Lombard mercenaries of the Hungarian army, and in 1370 by troops of Queen Joan I of Naples. In 1431 lord was Francesco II Del Balzo, who found the body of St. Richard, the current patron saint, and instituted the Fair of Andria (23-30 April). In 1487 the city was acquired by the Aragonese, the Duchy passing to the future King Frederick IV of Naples. Later (1552), it was sold by the Spanish to Fabrizio Carafa, for the sum of 100,000 ducates.

The Carafa ruled the city until 1799, when the French troops captured it after a long siege. After the Bourbon restoration, Adria was a protagonist of the Risorgimento and, after the unification of Italy, the brigand age era.

Main sights

Andria was a favorite residence of Emperor Frederick II, who built (13th century) nearby the imposing "Castel del Monte", one of the most famous Italian castles.

Other attractions include:
*The 12th-century Cathedral, 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 cennturies). It contains a bust of Duke Francesco II Del Balzo attributed to Francesco Laurana, and a 16th century wooden sculpture of "Madonna with Child".
*The church of "Sant'Agostino", built in the 13th century by the Teutonic Knights , who originally dedicated it to their patron, St. Leonard. 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 ancients, 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, 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 tufa 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 and Foggia.

Railways are managed by the Ferrovie del Nord Barese (Ferrotramviaria Spa), with the Bari-Barletta line. The nearest Trenitalia-FS (Italian national railroads) station is that of Barletta, 10 km from Andria.

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

External links

* [http://www.comune.andria.ba.it/ Official website] it
* [http://www.andriaweb.com Andriaweb.com il portale di Andria]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Andria+(Puglia),+Italy&sa=X&oi=map&ct=title Map of Andria, Italy]