right|thumb|250px|Panorama of Canosa di Puglia

Canosa di Puglia, generally known simply as Canosa (), is a town and comune in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, Apulia, southern Italy. It is located between Bari and Foggia, not far from Barletta on the northwestern edge of the plateau of the Murgia which dominates the Ofanto valley and the extensive plains of Tavoliere delle Puglie, ranging from Mount Vulture at the Gargano, to the Adriatic coast. Canosa, the Roman Canusium, is considered the principal archaeological center of Apulia, and is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in Italy. A number of vases and other archaeological finds are located in local museums and private collections. It is not far from the position on the Ofanto River where the Romans found refuge after the defeat of the Battle of Cannae and is the burial place of Bohemund I of Antioch.

Name

Canosa is the Italian development of the Latin ', derived from the Greek Kanýsion (), whose origin is uncertain. According to the Latin commentator Servius, Canusium derived from ' ("dog"), an animal associated with the local worship of Aphrodite. Other derivations include from Greek kháneon (, "wicker basket"), from the abundant wicker growing along the Ofanto; the Hebrew chanuth ("tavern"); and the Etruscan name Canzna. In recent years there have been many building failures and disruptions of roads. The area extends south to the slopes of the Murgia, and is mostly flat. The basins of Rendina and Locone contribute to the large area .

Climate

Canosa has a typical temperate climate, mild spring and autumn, and cold winters and mild summers.

The monthly average temperature is strongly influenced by the Murgiano Range from in January, to in August. The average annual rainfall is of rainfall, distributed mainly in the period from September to April. Climate classification of Canosa is Climate zone C.

History

Prehistory

The ancient Greeks and Romans ascribed the foundation of Canusion or Canusium to the Homeric hero Diomedes, but archeologists have established human presence in the area back to the 7th millennium BC. The Diomedea fields were one of the main centers of the Dauni, a northern branch of the Iapyges, during the Neolithic (6th to 4th millennia BC). Toppicelli on the Ofantina plain has revealed buildings and tombs of a rich aristocracy that also seem related to this group.

Excavations have also discovered metal and amber designs which appear Etruscan. but note that the people were still fluent in both Latin and Greek. Its coins continued to bear Greek inscriptions through the Roman period. The Via Traiana reached the town in Towards the end of the 3rd century it became the capital of Apulia and Calabria II Royal.

Middle Ages

right|thumb|250px|Medieval map of Canosa.

The city continued to flourish into the early medieval period, when it became known as the "city of bishops". who subsequently was honored as the town's patron saint.

The area suffered severely at the hands of the Lombards during the invasion that established the Duchy of Benevento and the Muslim invasions which followed. In the early 9th century, Muslims entirely destroyed the town and, in 844, Bishop Angelarius translated the relics of  Rufinus, Memorus, and Sabinus to Bari. Soon after, Pope Sergius II confirmed him as the bishop of Bari and Canosa, a united title borne by Bari's archbishops until 1986. (It remains a titular see.)

In 963, Canosa was rebuilt at a site below the former Roman city. It remained a Lombard gastaldate until the Norman conquest that established the Kingdom of Sicily. Under Bohemund I of Antioch (d. 1111), son of Robert Guiscard, it regained some of its earlier importance. Tiberio Capece was named "prince of Canosa" in 1712.

After the Italian Wars of Independence and the disastrous earthquake in 1851, Canosa remained predominantly bourgeois town as demonstrated by the construction of palaces. Virtually unscathed by World War I, the town suffered the effects of the 1930 Irpinia earthquake, which caused enormous damage.

On 6 November 1943, during World War II, the area was bombed by the Allies shortly after the armistice of 8 September. Some buildings were damaged, including the churches of San Francesco and San Biagio and the Town Hall, and 57 people lost their lives. In April 2001 the City of Canosa was awarded the bronze medal for Civil Valor in remembrance of the tragedy. On 17 September 1962, by decree of the President, Canosa was awarded the title of City for its historical traditions and the merits acquired by the community. In 1980 Canosa was again damaged by an earthquake.

Currently the economy of Canosa is based mainly on agriculture, with a service sector (archaeological, tourism) and industry and handicrafts, including textiles, food processing and manufacturing.

Main sights

right|thumb|250px|Cathedral of San Sabino

Religious architecture

Cathedral of San Sabino

The Cathedral of San Sabino was founded in the 8th century by the Lombards Duke Arechis II of Benevento, after the abandonment of early Christian sites in San Leucio and St. Peter. Originally dedicated to Saints John and Paul, was named after Saint Sabinus of Canosa on 7 September 1101, by Pope Paschal II, some four hundred years after the transfer of the saint's remains in the crypt. It was recognized as a cathedral in 1916 by Pope Benedict XV.

left|thumb|Nave of the basilica of San Sabino.

The plan of the basilica is a Latin cross, covered by five domes and an apse lit by three windows, whose central body is covered with a stained-glass window depicting the patron saint. It is an example of Romanesque/Byzantine architecture. Below the chancel are the crypt, shrine of the saint. The arches are supported by marble columns with Corinthian capitals, which were retrieved from devastated ancient monuments. The cathedral lies three feet below the square. The wear of the blocks that compose it and the color denotes the passage of these various civilizations that have developed the structure in different epochs. The castle has also reported damage after the devastating bombing of the Second World War. Over the years, however, many of these artifacts (including precious jewelry in gold and bronze, pottery, red figures and askos) have been lost (or in private hands) due to grave robbers. Often these sites have frescoes with an allegorical passage of the deceased to take in the afterlife (for ). The most important are those of the Cerberus, Lagrasta, Boccaforno and the Hoplite. Other exhibits recovered at the local Museum.

Not far from the town lies in the depths of clay soil, the necropolis of Santa Sofia. Used around the 4th century AD, for early Christians, it extended over other tombs dating back to the time of the persecution against the Christians. It was discovered around 1960 and is undergoing restoration.

Basilica di San Pietro

The Basilica di San Pietro was the first cathedral of the Christian era, then transformed into a tomb of Saint Sabino (556), patron of Canosa.

The complex is with three naves, apse and narthex of St. Peter's, preceded by a large atrium portico and bordered by a residential building and several other structures used in cemetery functions: a mausoleum, the Sepulchre of Bishop Sabino, a large brick kiln devoted to cooking and a domus, used probably as a bishop's residence. Also present are mosaics and Doric-Ionic capitals. Since 2001 the entire area is ongoing systematic excavation by the University of Foggia and the University of Bari.

Markets

The food market (also known as the square) takes place daily in the Piazza Galuppi, currently in the recovery phase, while the traditional weekly market is held every Thursday (with some exceptions) in the St. Johns (known as field-field).

People

  • Paulina Busa (fl. 216 BC), a merciful noblewoman during the Second Punic War.
  • Sabinus of Canosa (461–566), bishop and patron saint of Canosa.
  • Bohemond I of Antioch or Altavilla (1050?–1111), Prince of Taranto, commander of the First Crusade and buried at Canosa.
  • Archbishop Francesco Minerva, archbishop (1904–2004), archpriest of the cathedral parish priest of San Sabino, later Bishop of the Diocese of Nardo-Gallipoli and finally archbishop of Lecce.
  • Enzo de Muro Lomanto (1902–52), tenor of international fame, married to the soprano Toti Dal Monte
  • Lino Banfi (1936), actor
  • Gaetano Castrovilli (1997), professional football player

Events

February

  • Death of San Sabino (February 9) – Liturgy, a procession and fireworks.
  • Our Lady of Lourdes (February 11)
  • Canosa carnival

March

  • Our Lady of Constantinople (1 st Tuesday of the month) – Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Constantinople, according to a custom dating from the 8th century.
  • Via Crucis evocation of the 14 Stations of the Cross, organized by the Santa Teresa Parish.

April

  • Procession of the Addolorata (Friday before Palm Sunday) - is the procession that begins the rites of Holy Week. The procession includes the participation of a very large number of faithful, mostly women dressed and veiled in black, often barefoot. Tradition recalls that the Virgin Mary, in search of her son Jesus, knocked (hence tupp-tuzz'le, i.e. knock) at church doors before reaching the cathedral.
  • The Tomb (Rite of Holy Week,
  • Procession of the Mysteries (Rite of Holy Week, Good Friday)
  • Procession of Distressed (Rite of Holy Week, Holy Saturday) - Probably the most impressive procession of Holy Week. It starts from the Church of San Francesco and San Biagio on Saturday morning. Children dressed as angels open the procession showing the subjects and sentences the Passion of Christ. Below the Distressed statue followed by a large choir of some 250 girls with their faces covered and dressed in black, some still barefoot, screaming (in harrowing ways) a typical song, the Stabat Mater.
  • Procession of Our Lady of the Fountain - the rediscovery of the traditional Feast of First Fruits, on the second Sunday of Easter. Canosini producers lead the ancient icon, preserved in the cathedral by nine centuries

right|thumb|300px|Women sing the Stabat Mater during the procession of the distressed

May

  • Week of Cultural Heritage
  • Citizen Fair (20 and May 21)

June

  • St Maria Altomare (June 1) - local parties organized by the parish of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

July

  • Diomede Award - Apulia rewards distinguished Canosa for meritorious work in economic, sporting, social, scientific, artistic and cultural efforts.
  • Our Lady of Mount Carmel (July 16) - neighborhood festivals organized by the rector of Mount Carmel.
  • "Canosa Summer" (July 31) - Musical entertainment

August

  • Festival of San Sabino, Madonna della Fonte and St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (August 1, 2)
  • Sagra dell Old Red Wine (1st week of month)
  • Rite of Percocca (2nd Sunday of month)
  • Feast of the Assumption (August 15)

October

  • Santa Teresa (October 1)
  • Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7)

November

  • St. Catherine of Alexandria Martyr (November 25)

December

  • Sagra dell Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • St. Immaculate (December 8) - local parties organized by the parish of St. Immaculate.
  • Saint Lucia (December 13)
  • Living Nativity - Representation with 150 figures that extends over an area of 6000 m 2 and a path along 300 m. The first edition was published in 2004. It is estimated about 40,000 visitors a year come witness it.
  • Christmas in the City - White Night
  • Exhibition of Nativity crafts, organized by the local branch of the Italian Association of Friends of the Natvity

Economy

The Canosina economy is mainly linked to agriculture. The historic resources, archaeological and tourist, facilitate the influx of visitors. The city's central position in relation to the surrounding area, however, helped give rise to particular firms in the textile and food industries.

Agriculture

right|thumb|250px|A Canosa Olive Grove

The location puts the area between the Canosa Murgia and Tavoliere delle Puglie, a few miles of Lake Locone. Due to the mild temperatures, typical of the area are the production of figs, prickly pears, almonds, lampascioni, peaches and cherries, without neglecting other vegetables (turnips, beets and Arugula), and vegetables.

Recently (2005) there have been controversies and protests by farmers due to low scores on local products, which have followed the movement disruption and confrontation with the recording of incidents of crime.

Farms surrounding cattle, sheep and goats guarantees the production of milk and cheese for the surroundings dairy industries.

Handicrafts

The realization of handmade wicker baskets or clay pots are still frequent. Still practiced is the ancient crafts such as shoemaking.

Industry

The rolas a strategic road junction has allowed the city to host a number of distribution centers for goods, such as fruits and medicines. In recent decades, Canosa has developed several wineries and olive oil center, along with a major pasta factory.

Since the early 2000s a planned incinerator in the territory of Canosa has led to many demonstrations and protests. After a long and complicated litigation between the municipal administration and the manufacturers of the plant, in March 2007 a decision of the Council of State overturned the building permit for the construction.

Transportation

Roads and highways

right|thumb|200px|Canosa Railway Station

Canosa is located near one of the most important motorway hubs of southern Italy. From 1973, the Motorway A16 (Naples-Canosa, also known as Two Seas Highway) intersects Motorway A14 (Bologna – Taranto, also called the Adriatic highway). The toll of Canosa is 172 km from Naples, 611 km from Bologna and 133 km from Taranto. At average of 15 - 20 thousand cars, with peaks of 40 - 45 thousand units, and the toll road of Canosa will be extended.

Railways

Canosa has a railway station, currently on the Barletta-Spinazzola line. The project dates back to 1861, but in 1888 is entered into an agreement with Southern Railways Company for the construction of the line. The railway line was inaugurated on August 1, 1895. Since the nineties the line was strongly curtailed.