Canosa di Puglia

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Comune di Canosa di Puglia
nickname = La Piccola Roma
motto = "Città d'Arte e Cultura" or "The City of Princes, Emperors and Bishops"

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website = [http://www.comune.canosa.ba.it www.comune.canosa.ba.it]
established_title = Founded
established_date = 6000-3000 BC
subdivision_type = Sovereign state
subdivision_name = Italy
subdivision_name1 = Apulia
subdivision_type1 = Region
subdivision_name1 = Apulia
subdivision_type2 = Province
subdivision_name2 = Province of Bari
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Francesco Ventola
area_total_km2 = 149
elevation_m = 105
elevation_max_m = 249
elevation_min_m = 31
latd = 41 |latm = 13 |lats = |latNS=N |longd=16 |longm=4 |longs= |longEW=E
population_as_of = 31 May 2007
population_total = 31.240
population_density_km2 = 209
population_blank1_title = Called
population_blank1 = Canosini
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
postal_code_type = Postal codes
postal_code = 70053
area_code = 02
blank_name =Patron saints
blank_info= San Sabino (August 1)
blank1_name = Frazioni
blank1_info= Loconia

:"Canosa should not be confused with Canossa in northern Italy.".

Canosa is considered the principal archaeological center of Puglia, and is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in Italy. A number of important vases and other archaeological finds are located in local museums and private collections.

In 2009, when the Province of Bari will be split, Canosa will be part of the new Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani.

History

, in an area where human presence dates back from the 7th millennium BC.

In 318 BC the city allied with Rome, helping the Romans after their defeat at Cannae (216 BC). It became a Roman "municipium" in 88 BC and was a flourishing center for the production of wool. In 109 AD it was reached by the Via Traiana and in 141 an aqueduct brought fresh water ot the city. In the late 3rd century it became the capital of the Provincia Apuliae et Calabriae. In the following century it was the most important Christian diocese of southern Italy, famous as the "Bishop's City" and reaching the peak of its splendour under bishop Sabinus (514-566).

Under the Lombards, it was the seat of the Gastaldate, and in the following centuries suffered several Saracen attacks. Under the Normans (11th-12th centuries) Canosa recovered some importance, in particular thanks to prince Bohemund of Hauteville. However, after the end of the Hohenstaufen domination in Italy, it went into a decline that lasted until the 18th century: in this period it was ruled by the Orsini del Balzo, Grimaldi of Monaco, Affaitati and Capece Minutolo families.

Main sights

* The "Hypogeums Lagrasta" are the most remarkable set of apogees in Canosa and in the whole region. It dates back to the 6th-1st century BC and is divided into three hypogeums.
* The Italic Temple consecrated to the goddess Minerva-Athena Ilias. The heathen temple was destroyed in the 6th century AD in order to set up a christian basilica.
* Arch of Trajan, dating back to 109 BC, it was ordered by the Emperor Trajan.
* The Cathedral, which dates back to the 6th century AD. At the end of the 9th century it was consecrated to Saint John and Saint Paul, and on 1 August 800 St. Sabine’s holy relics was transferred here.
* The Mausoleum of Bohemund of Hauteville (1111), a noteworthy example (the only in the West) of either Islamic or Syrian inspiration.
* The Baptistery (514-566).
* Roman Bridge over the Ofanto river (1st century AD), which allowed the Via Traiana to cross the river. It was used for road traffic until the 1970s.
* Arch of Terentius Varro, dedicated to the Roman consul who fought at Cannae.
* The Acropolis (Castle), with its characteristic narrow alleys and staircases. At the summit are the ruins of the Norman castle, built over a pre-existing Roman bastion and later possession of the Hohenstaufen and the Grimaldi.
* Casieri Tower.
* Hypogeum of the Cerberus (4th-3rd century BC).
* Hypogeum of the Hoplite (4th century BC).
* Hypogeum Monterisi - Rossignoli (4th century BC).
* Mausoleum Bagnoli (2nd century AD).
* Temple of Jupiter Taurus (1st century BC - 1st century AD).
* Thermae Lomuscio (1st century BC).
* The Civic Museum contains archaeological and historic finds of rare values (approximately 2,000 artefacts).
* "Palazzo Sinesi" contains 400 findings dating back to 4th-3rd centuries BC.
* "Palazzo Iliceto"' is a puppet museum (19th-20th centuries).
* The excavations of Saint Peter are the most important archaeological training camp in Italy.

External links

* [http://www.campidiomedei.it/en/ Campi Diomedei: Information]