Foggia history

The Birth of the City: From Ancient Legends to Imperial Glory

The history of Foggia is rooted in the early Middle Ages. Unlike many Italian cities with an ancient Roman past, Foggia took shape somewhat later, becoming a successor to the ancient settlement of Arpi. The city emerged as a result of the migration of residents seeking a safer place to live amidst the marshy terrain of the Tavoliere plain.

Foundation and Origin of the Name

The first documentary mentions of the city date back to the 11th century (around 1069). The city's name comes from the Latin word "fovea", which means "pit" or "cistern". This refers to the unique system of underground storage pits that locals used to store grain—the region's primary wealth.

An important milestone in the city's formation is considered to be the legendary discovery of the icon of the Madonna (Iconavetere) in 1073. According to tradition, shepherds saw three flames above the water of the marsh and found a sacred image there, around which the religious and social centre of the settlement subsequently grew.

Key Factors of Formation

• Geographical Location: Situated in the very heart of the Tavoliere delle Puglie, the second-largest plain in Italy, Foggia became a natural crossroads for trade routes and an agricultural hub.
• Norman Influence: Robert Guiscard, Duke of Apulia, recognised the strategic potential of the area and initiated work to drain the marshes, making the territory suitable for large-scale settlement.
• Imperial Residence: The true flourishing of early Foggia is linked to the name of Emperor Frederick II of Swabia. In the 13th century, he chose the city as his favourite residence, building a luxurious palace here, which turned Foggia into an important political centre of the empire at that time.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of early Foggia was based on agriculture. Thanks to exceptionally fertile soils, the city quickly gained the status of the "granary" of Southern Italy. Already in the Middle Ages, a powerful agrarian culture emerged here, based on wheat cultivation.

Later, the system of transhumance (seasonal migration of livestock) began to play an important role. The intersection of migration routes for flocks of sheep across the Tavoliere plain promoted the trade of wool and cheese, laying the foundation for the city's future economic prosperity.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1069: First documentary mention of the settlement of Foggia, which arose around the ancient church of Santa Maria.
• 1172: King William II the Good initiates the expansion of the city cathedral, strengthening the city's religious status.
• 1223: Emperor Frederick II of Hohenstaufen erects an imperial palace in Foggia, turning the city into one of his favourite residences.
• 1447: Establishment of the "Sheep Customs" (Dogana delle Pecore) makes Foggia the main centre for the wool trade and tax collection in Southern Italy.
• 1528: The city is ravaged by French troops during the Italian Wars but soon begins to recover.
• 1731: A powerful earthquake destroys a significant part of the medieval structures, leading to the rebuilding of the city in the Baroque style.
• 1806: Joseph Bonaparte abolishes the feudal system of the "Sheep Customs", opening the way for agrarian reforms and economic modernisation.
• 1860: Foggia officially becomes part of the unified Kingdom of Italy during the Risorgimento process.
• 1924: Completion of the Apulian Aqueduct branch solves the centuries-old problem of fresh water shortage in the region.
• 1943: The city suffers serious damage from air raids during World War II, which forever changed its architectural appearance.
• 1999: The founding of the University of Foggia (Università degli Studi di Foggia) becomes an important stage in the cultural and educational development of the city.

Evolution and Key Transformations

Foggia's development is a journey from an imperial residence to a modern commercial and industrial centre. The city was shaped by the influence of natural disasters, economic reforms, and strategic decisions.

• The Era of Frederick II (13th Century): Political Flourishing
  The choice of Foggia as an imperial residence turned a modest settlement into a political centre of the Holy Roman Empire. This triggered the first large-scale urban planning: the construction of a palace, the strengthening of walls, and the formation of an urban structure distinct from the chaotic layout of the early Middle Ages.
• Establishment of the "Sheep Customs" (1447): Economic Monopoly
  The creation of the Dogana delle Pecore determined the city's fate for four centuries. Foggia became the financial capital of Apulia, where taxes flowed from all shepherds driving livestock across the plain. This ensured the city's wealth and status as an administrative hub but slowed the development of agriculture in favour of livestock farming.
• Recovery after the 1731 Earthquake: Architectural Renewal
  A devastating earthquake wiped a significant part of the medieval buildings off the face of the earth. This event forced town planners to rethink the city plan: wider avenues appeared in place of narrow streets, and the architectural look acquired features of restrained late Baroque and Neoclassicism.
• Abolition of Feudal Rights (1806): Agrarian Revolution
  The liquidation of the "Sheep Customs" during the period of French rule opened the lands of the Tavoliere plain for agriculture. This led to a reorientation of the economy from transhumance to wheat cultivation, turning Foggia into the main "granary" of Italy and stimulating the growth of processing enterprises.
• Construction of the Railway Junction (1860s): Logistics Breakthrough
  Connection to the Adriatic railway and the line to Naples made Foggia the most important transport hub of the South. The station became a new city-forming core, around which the "Ferrovia Quarter" grew, promoting active trade and population migration.
• Launch of the Apulian Aqueduct (1924): Solving the Water Crisis
  The arrival of abundant water in the arid region was a critically important event for quality of life and sanitation. The symbol of this achievement was the fountain in Piazza Cavour. Access to water allowed the city to expand and develop industry without depending on natural rainfall.
• Post-War Reconstruction (from 1943): Modern Appearance
  Heavy bombings during World War II destroyed more than 70% of the housing stock. The subsequent reconstruction proceeded at a rapid pace, often at the expense of historical aesthetics, but it was this that formed the current look of Foggia with its wide streets, modern multi-storey buildings, and new administrative structures.

Architectural Mosaic: The Influence of History and Elements

The architectural appearance of Foggia is unique in that it is the result of constant rebirth. Due to the devastating earthquake of 1731 and massive bombings during World War II, not many intact medieval ensembles have survived in the city compared to other Italian cities. Instead, Foggia offers travellers an eclectic mix of ancient fragments, elegant Baroque, strict Neoclassicism, and monumental 20th-century architecture.

Main Styles and Iconic Buildings

Walking through the streets of the city, one can trace the succession of historical eras captured in stone:

• Romanesque Style and Hohenstaufen Heritage (11th–13th Centuries)
  The oldest layers of the city are represented in fragments, but they hold immense historical value.
  Examples: The lower part of the façade of the Cathedral (Cattedrale di Foggia) has preserved Romanesque features of the Pisan style with blind arches. Of the once-majestic imperial palace of Frederick II, only an arch (Portale di Federico II) remains, embedded in the wall of a modern building, yet serving as a reminder of the glorious imperial past.
• Baroque and Rococo (17th–18th Centuries)
  After the earthquake of 1731, the city was actively rebuilt. In religious architecture, the decorativeness and emotionality of the Baroque prevailed.
  Examples: The Church of the Crosses (Chiesa delle Croci) is a unique monument, the only one of its kind in Italy, consisting of a triumphal arch and a complex of chapels. Also noteworthy are the upper part of the Cathedral's façade and the Church of Jesus and Mary (Chiesa di Gesù e Maria).
• Neoclassicism (19th Century)
  During this period, Foggia expanded and was adorned with public buildings inspired by ancient severity and harmony.
  Examples: The Umberto Giordano Theatre is an elegant building with a colonnade that became the city's cultural centre. The Propylaea (entrance group) of the City Park (Villa Comunale) are also executed in the classical style.
• Rationalism and Monumentalism (First Half of the 20th Century)
  In the 1920s and 30s, especially after the construction of the aqueduct, the city received a new impulse for development. Buildings from this period are characterised by scale, strict lines, and functionality.
  Examples: The Government Palace (Palazzo del Governo), the Palace of State Offices (Palazzo degli Uffici Statali), and the famous Sele Fountain in Piazza Cavour, symbolising the arrival of water in Apulia.

Urban Development

The structure of Foggia clearly demonstrates the transition from medieval enclosure to modern openness:

• Historic Core: The old town has preserved a network of narrow winding streets grouped around the Cathedral and the former Customs House. The spirit of the old trading settlement can still be felt here.
• 19th Century Expansion: With economic growth, the city expanded beyond its old boundaries. Wide avenues and a rectangular grid of blocks appeared, oriented towards the new centre of attraction—the railway station. The area around the station became a showcase of bourgeois development of that time.
• Modern Reconstruction: Post-war restoration led to the creation of spacious residential areas and wide thoroughfares, which today define the appearance of the city's periphery and business zones.

Famous Residents and Historical Figures

The history of Foggia is inextricably linked with the names of rulers, creators, and innovators. The city is proud of its natives and those who chose it as a place to live and create, leaving a noticeable mark on Italian culture.

• Frederick II of Hohenstaufen (1194–1250)
  Holy Roman Emperor.
  Although the monarch was not born here, he is considered a key figure in the city's history. Frederick II called Foggia his "beloved imperial residence" (Inclita Sedes Imperialis). It was he who transformed the medieval settlement into an important political centre by building a palace here and frequently spending time in the city between military campaigns.
• Umberto Giordano (1867–1948)
  Composer.
  The most famous native of Foggia, who brought the city worldwide fame. A brilliant representative of verismo in opera. His masterpiece "Andrea Chénier" is in the repertoire of the best theatres on the planet. The city theatre, the conservatory, and one of the central squares, where a monument to the maestro stands, are named in his honour.
• Saverio Altamura (1822–1897)
  Painter.
  A talented artist born in Foggia. He was closely associated with the Macchiaioli movement—the Italian predecessors of the Impressionists. Altamura is known for his historical canvases and portraits, as well as his participation in the Risorgimento (the movement for the unification of Italy).
• Giuseppe Rosati (1752–1814)
  Scientist, Agronomist, and Physician.
  An outstanding figure of the Enlightenment. Rosati devoted his life to studying the natural resources of the Apulia region and modernising agriculture on the Tavoliere plain. His works laid the foundation for a scientific approach to farming in the region.
• Renzo Arbore (born 1937)
  Showman, Musician, and TV Presenter.
  A legend of Italian television and music, a native of Foggia. Arbore became the first Italian disc jockey and a revolutionary in the entertainment genre. He is also known as a populariser of the classic Neapolitan song, with which he tours around the world.
• Mauro De Mauro (1921–1970)
  Investigative Journalist.
  Born in Foggia. He became famous for his bold investigations for the newspaper L'Ora in Palermo. His professional activity, linked to uncovering mafia secrets, made him a symbol of journalistic integrity and courage in Italy.