Foggia
The name Foggia likely derives from the Latin word fovea, meaning pit. This term referred to the underground storage pits where ancient settlers kept their wheat harvests. Archaeological evidence shows human presence in this area since Neolithic times. Nearby stood Arpi, a Daunian settlement also known as Argos Hippium by Greek writers. Pliny the Elder recorded an anachronistic legend claiming Diomedes founded the city after the Trojan War. The first written document mentioning the modern city dates to 1100. Pope Paschal II issued a papal bull that referenced the church of Sancta Maria de Focis. Scholars remain uncertain about the exact linguistic roots of the name. Some suggest it stems from Phocaea or possibly the Medieval Greek word fotia for fire. A local legend claims peasants discovered a panel showing the Madonna Nicopeia with three flames burning upon it.
Robert Guiscard directed the draining of marshy wetlands in the late 11th century. This engineering project boosted economic and social growth for the growing settlement. William II of Sicily built a cathedral here during the 12th century. Frederick II constructed a palace in Foggia in 1223. He often sojourned at this location and elected the city Regalis Sedes Inclita Imperialis. The entrance epigraph on the imperial palace remains visible today. Michael Scot served as a mathematician and scholar within Frederick's court. King Alfonso V of Aragon built a Custom Palace in 1447 to tax local sheep farmers. An earthquake struck Foggia in 1456, followed by others in 1534, 1627, and 1731. The final quake destroyed one third of the city. The House of Bourbon later promoted cereal agriculture and rebuilt much of the settlement. The cathedral of Santa Maria de Fovea was probably erected about 1179. Its lower part displays Romanesque architecture while the upper section is Baroque style.
Allied air forces heavily bombed Foggia due to its important airfields and marshalling yards. On the 22nd of July 1943, over 100 B-17 Flying Fortresses attacked the city. Seven thousand six hundred forty-three residents died during that single bombing raid. More than 700 people suffered injuries from the initial assault. A second massive attack occurred on the 19th of August 1943 involving 233 B-17s and B-24 Liberators. This strike obliterated what remained of the city and killed another 9,581 people. German troops briefly occupied the town after the armistice of Cassibile on the 8th of September 1943. They abandoned the city on the 27th of September in response to Allied advances. British troops successfully occupied Foggia by the 1st of October. General Montgomery sent his XIII Corps beyond the city to clear German forces from surrounding hills. The Foggia airfields were subsequently used by Allied fighter and bomber formations until the end of the war. American 15th Air Force units operated alongside Royal Air Force and South African Air Force squadrons. In 1959 and 2006, Foggia received gold medals for Civil and Military value.
Foggia experiences a dry summer Mediterranean climate classified as Csa by Köppen standards. Low precipitation levels create some semi-arid steppe influence across the Tavoliere plain. Winter days generally stay between 11 and 13 degrees Celsius but can drop into single figures. Frosts occur only a handful of times each year. Summers bring very hot temperatures that often reach extreme highs during July and August. Temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius a handful of times per decade. An extreme low of -14 degrees was recorded on the 8th of January 1985. The highest temperature ever measured in Italy occurred on the 25th of June 2007 at 48 degrees Celsius. This record stands as one of the highest temperatures documented anywhere in Europe. The region sits within the Tavoliere plain which serves as Southern Italy's main wheat market.
The area is nicknamed the granary of Italy due to its massive agricultural output. Foggia remains famous for producing watermelons and tomatoes alongside traditional grain crops. Although less dominant than before, agriculture continues to be the economic mainstay of the city. Food processing industries operate within the few industrial sectors present today. Craftsmanship receives encouragement and development from local initiatives. The Apulian aqueduct construction solved historical water resource shortages in 1924. Foggia railway station opened in 1864 as part of the Adriatic Railway system. It serves as the terminus of the Naples, Foggia railway line. The station functions as a junction for secondary lines including routes to Manfredonia, Lucera, and Potenza. This network makes Foggia the most important railway junction of southern Italy. It ranks as the third busiest rail hub across all of Italy. Gino Lisa Airport offers direct helicopter flights to Tremiti Islands and Vieste. Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport lies south east of Foggia as the nearest major airport.
Renzo Arbore was born in 1937 and became a television showman and musician. Adriano Celentano arrived in 1938 as a singer, actor, and television personality. Mauro De Mauro worked as a journalist until his assassination by mafia forces between 1921 and 1970. Pietro Giannone lived from 1676 to 1748 as a philosopher who shaped regional thought. Umberto Giordano composed music during his lifetime spanning 1867 to 1948. His memory is honored in a town square bearing his name. Vladimir Luxuria was born in 1965 and later became a transgender Italian politician. Nicola Sacco served as an anarchist prisoner executed by U.S. authorities between 1891 and 1927. Luigi Samele won Olympic sabre fencing medals after being born in 1987. Andrea Pazienza created cartoons before dying in 1988 at age 32. The football club Calcio Foggia 1920 S.S.D. plays in Serie C for the 2020-2021 season. Coach Zdeněk Zeman led the team to promotion and brief Serie A participation in the early 1990s. Stadio Pino Zaccheria honors a local basketball pioneer killed during World War II.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
What is the origin of the name Foggia?
The name Foggia likely derives from the Latin word fovea, meaning pit. This term referred to the underground storage pits where ancient settlers kept their wheat harvests.
When did Allied air forces bomb Foggia during World War II?
Allied air forces heavily bombed Foggia on the 22nd of July 1943 and again on the 19th of August 1943. These attacks killed over 7,600 residents in the first raid and another 9,581 people in the second strike.
Who founded the city of Foggia according to Pliny the Elder?
Pliny the Elder recorded an anachronistic legend claiming Diomedes founded the city after the Trojan War. No written document mentioning the modern city exists before the year 1100 when Pope Paschal II issued a papal bull referencing the church of Sancta Maria de Focis.
Where does Foggia rank among Italian railway hubs today?
Foggia ranks as the third busiest rail hub across all of Italy. It serves as the most important railway junction of southern Italy with connections to Manfredonia, Lucera, and Potenza.
What is the highest temperature ever measured in Foggia?
The highest temperature ever measured in Italy occurred on the 25th of June 2007 at 48 degrees Celsius in Foggia. This record stands as one of the highest temperatures documented anywhere in Europe.