Andria, Italy

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Comune di Andria
Coat of arms of Comune di Andria
Municipal coat of arms
Country Flag of Italy Italy
Region Bari
Province Bari (BA)
Mayor
Elevation 151 m (495 ft)
Area 407.86 km² (157 sq mi)
Population (as of December 31, 2004)
 - Total 95,653
 - Density 235/km² (609/sq mi)
Time zone CET, UTC+1
Coordinates 41°13′N, 16°18′E
Gentilic Andriesi
Dialing code 0883
Postal code 70031
Frazioni Castel del Monte, Montegrosso
Patron St. Richard of England
 - Day April 4
Website: 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.

The Church of Sant'Agostino.
The Church of Sant'Agostino.

Different theories exist about the origins of Andria. In 915 CE 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.

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.

The St. Andrew's Gate in Andria.
The St. Andrew's Gate in Andria.

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).



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