Massafra

Massafra
Comune
Città di Massafra

Coat of arms
Massafra

Location of Massafra in Italy

Coordinates: 40°35′N 17°7′E / 40.583°N 17.117°E / 40.583; 17.117Coordinates: 40°35′N 17°7′E / 40.583°N 17.117°E / 40.583; 17.117
Country Italy
Region Apulia
Province Taranto (TA)
Frazioni Cernera, Chiatona, Citignano, Marina di Ferrara
Government
  Mayor Martino Carmelo Tamburrano
Area
  Total 125 km2 (48 sq mi)
Elevation 110 m (360 ft)
Population (31 December 2013)[1]
  Total 32,780
  Density 260/km2 (680/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Massafresi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 74016
Dialing code 099
Website Official website

Massafra (Greek: Messaphros) is a town and comune in the province of Taranto in the Apulia region of southeast Italy.

History

According to some hypotheses,[2] Massafra was founded in the 5th century by refugees from the Roman province of Africa, invaded by the Vandals. The first historical mention of the city dates however from the 10th century, when it was a Lombard gastaldate.

After the Norman conquest of southern Italy, it was given to a nephew of Robert Guiscard, who fortified it and restored the castle. Later it was part of the Principality of Taranto, to which, as a free town, it belonged until 1463. In 1484 it was assigned to Antonio Piscitello. In 1497 it was sacked by the troops of Charles VIII of France, and the fief went to Artusio Pappacoda, whose family held it for a century and a half. They were succeeded by the Carmignano and the Imperiale.

Main sights

References

  1. All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.
  2. Giuseppe Blandamura, Choerades Insulae, Taranto, Tipografia Arcivescovile, 1925.

External links



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