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{{Copyedit|date=November 2011}}
{{Other uses}} {{Other uses}}
{{Infobox Italian comune {{Infobox Italian comune
| name = San Severo | name = San Severo
| official_name = Comune di San Severo | official_name = Comune di San Severo
| native_name = | native_name = {{native name|nap|Sanzëvírë}}
| image_skyline = San Severo Palazzo di città.jpg | image_skyline = San Severo Palazzo di città.jpg
| imagesize = | imagesize =
| image_alt = | image_alt =
| image_caption = | image_caption =
| image_shield = San Severo-Stemma.png | image_shield =
| shield_alt = | shield_alt =
| image_map = | image_flag = Flag of San Severo.svg
| flag_alt =
| image_map = Map of comune of San Severo (province of Foggia, region Apulia, Italy).svg
| map_alt = | map_alt =
| map_caption = | map_caption = San Severo within the Province of Foggia
| pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_alt =
| coordinates = {{coord|41|41|N|15|23|E|display=inline}}
| latd = 41 |latm = 41 |lats = |latNS = N
| longd = 15 |longm = 23 |longs = |longEW = E
| coordinates_type =
| coordinates_display = title
| coordinates_footnotes = | coordinates_footnotes =
| region = ] | region = ]
| province = ] (FG) | province = ] (FG)
| frazioni = | frazioni =
| mayor_party = | mayor_party = Independent (right-wing)
| mayor = | mayor = Lidya Colangelo
| area_footnotes = | area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 333 | area_total_km2 = 336
| population_footnotes = | population_footnotes =<ref>Population data from ]</ref>
| population_total = 55861 | population_total = 49075
| population_as_of = 2001 | population_as_of = February 2024
| pop_density_footnotes = | pop_density_footnotes =
| population_demonym = Sanseveresi | population_demonym = Sanseveresi
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| twin1 = | twin1 =
| twin1_country = | twin1_country =
| saint = ], ], Maria SS. del Soccorso |istat=| saint = ], ], Maria SS. del Soccorso
| day = Monday after third Sunday in May | day = Monday after third Sunday in May
| postal_code = 71016 | postal_code = 71016
Line 44: Line 42:
| footnotes = | footnotes =
}} }}
'''San Severo''' {{IPA-it|sanseˈvɛːro|}} (ancient ''Castellum Sancti Severini,'' then San Severino and Sansevero; locally ''Sanzëvírë'') is a city and ] of 55,486 inhabitants of the province of ] in the southern ] region of ].
It rises on the foot of the spur of ] and is cathedral city since 1580. Citizens of San Severo are referred to as Sanseveresi


'''San Severo''' ({{IPA|it|san seˈvɛːro|pron}}; formerly spelled '''Sansevero''' and previously known as '''San Severino'''; {{langx|nap|Sanzëvírë|label=]}}; {{langx|la|Castellum Sancti Severini}}) is a {{lang|it|]}} (municipality) of {{circa|51,919}} inhabitants in the ], ], ]. Rising on the foot of the spur of ], San Severo adjoins the communes of ] in the north, ] and ] in the east, ] and ] in the south, and ] and ] in the west.
==Physical geography==

==Geography==

===Territory=== ===Territory===
The city sits in low-lying country, its center being at about {{convert|90|m|ft}} ]. Geologically, its soil is ] (with sand and clay, fossils, and marine in origin). Its territory decreases in elevation from the west {{convert|125|m|ft}} to the east {{convert|26|m|ft}}, gradually changing from minor ripples in the western hills to a more regular plain in the east at the Candelaro basin.<ref name="Vittorio Russi 1984, p. 9. 9">{{cite book|first=Umberto |last=Pilla |author2=Vittorio Russi |title= San Severo nei secoli |location=San Severo|publisher= Dotoli|year=1984|page=9}}</ref>
San Severo adjoins the communes ] in the north, ] and ] in the east, ] and ] in the south, and ] and ] west.

The city sets in low-lying country, the centers of the town is about 90 m ]. It’s soil geologically is ] (with sand and clay, fossil, of marine origin). Its territory follows an altitude decrease from the west (125 m) to the east (26 m), gradually changing from minor ripples in the western hills to a more regular plain in the east at the Candelaro basin.<ref name="Vittorio Russi 1984, p. 9. 9">Umberto Pilla - Vittorio Russi, San Severo nei secoli , San Severo, Dotoli, 1984, p. 9. 9.</ref>
Waterways in addition to the Candelaro river include the Triolo and Salsola ]s and Radicosa, Venola, Ferrante, Santa Maria and Potes ]. The lack of water, in the summer, corresponds to a significant presence of ] ground water, especially in the subsoil of the city. In addition to the Candelaro river, other waterways include the Triolo and Salsola ]s and Radicosa, Venola, Ferrante, Santa Maria and Potes ]. The scarcity of rain in the summer causes the ] to become ], especially in the ] of the city. The lands surrounding the city are studded with farms, characterized primarily by ordered ] and ], as well as fields of ].<ref name="Vittorio Russi 1984, p. 9. 9"/>
Sparsely populated although studded with farmhouses, it is characterized primarily by ordered ], large ] of different types and vast arable land for ].<ref name="Vittorio Russi 1984, p. 9. 9"/>


===Climate=== ===Climate===
The climate is ], winters are relatively cold (snow is a rare phenomenon) and summers are very hot. High wind gusts are quite common and, sometimes quite strong, and moderate.<ref>Fonte: Biopuglia .</ref> The climate is ], with relatively mild winters (snow is rare) and very hot summers. High wind gusts are quite common.<ref>Fonte: Biopuglia .</ref>
*]: Zone D, GR-G 1494. *]: Zone D, GR-G 1494.


==History== ==History==

===Origins=== ===Origins===
According to legend the city was founded by the Greek ] with the name of Castrum Drionis (Casteldrione), and remained ] until 536. When ] ({{lang-it|San Lorenzo Maiorano}}), ], converted the town to ] he required the village to change the name after Governor Severus. According to legend, a city called ''Castrum Drionis'' (Casteldrione) was founded by the ] king ]. San Severo is said to be one of the last towns in Italy to remain ], and only in 536 did ], ], convert the town's inhabitants to ]. He also required that the village be renamed after governor Severus.

San Severo stands on the ] and various ] settlements have been detected. In the early ] the area was not inhabited or defined. Between the ] and the ] ages the ] monastery at Cassino was established and with it the cult of the apostle of Saint ]. San Severo was founded in the 11th century around a small church built by the Benedictine monks from ]. Its development as trade town was rapid. In 1053 it was the scene of the historical victory by ] over the papal troops under ] (see ]). In the eleventh century San Severo was the route of the Via Sacra Langobardorum, a primitive church arose dedicated to saint Severino, from which continued an influx of pilgrims to ] and movement of people and goods. The town was therefore called Castellum Sancti Severini (fortified town of San Severo).<ref name="Cfr. Francesco Carapezza 2007, p. 834">Cfr. Francesco Carapezza, Giacomo da Lentini in Encyclopedia of Italian Literary Studies , edited by Gaetana Marrone, New York, Routledge, 2007, 2, p. 834.</ref>
San Severo lies on the ], and various ] settlements have been detected. In the early ], the area was not inhabited or defined. Between the ] and the ] ages, the ] monastery at ] was established, and with it, the cult of the apostle of Saint ]. San Severo was founded in the 11th century around a small church built by the ] monks from ]. It rapidly developed as a trade town. In 1053, it was the scene of the historical victory of ] over the papal troops under ] (see ]). In the eleventh century, San Severo was the route of the Via Sacra Langobardorum and a primitive church arose dedicated to Saint Severino, from which continued an influx of pilgrims to ] and movement of people and goods. The town was therefore called Castellum Sancti Severini ("Fortified Town of San Severo").<ref name="Cfr. Francesco Carapezza 2007, p. 834">{{cite book|first=Francesco |last=Carapezza|chapter=Giacomo da Lentini |title= Encyclopedia of Italian Literary Studies |editor= Gaetana Marrone|location= New York|publisher=Routledge|year=2007|volume=2|page= 834}}</ref>
The ] developed rapidly, due to its favorable position for trade, and soon took on considerable importance, and was the seat of ], ], ]s and ] merchants. Subject to the ] of the Benedictine monastery of San Pietro di ] (in 1116 the abbot gave the famous Adenulfo Libertatis Charta), in 1230 the city rebelled against ] who ceded it to the ].<ref name="Cfr. Francesco Carapezza 2007, p. 834"/>

The ] developed rapidly due to its favorable position for trade, and soon took on considerable importance; it became the seat of ], ], ]s and ] merchants. Subject to the ] of the Benedictine monastery of San Pietro di ] (in 1116 the abbot gave the famous Adenulfo Libertatis Charta), in 1230, the city rebelled against ] who ceded it to the ].<ref name="Cfr. Francesco Carapezza 2007, p. 834"/>


===Medieval=== ===Medieval===
] ]
Around 1312, after the suppression of the Templars, the city, fortified with a wall again, and was donated to ] and his wife Sancha, who in 1317 sold it to Count Peter Pippin, Lord of ]{{Disambiguation needed|date=June 2011}}. He was never able to take possession of the new estate because of the citizens armed resistance and laid down their arms only when the king granted them the city. San Severo was then declared a royal city in perpetuity.<ref name="Cfr. Corteo storico Carlo V">Cfr. Corteo storico Carlo V</ref> After the suppression of the Templars, by 1312, the city was refortified with a wall, and ceded to ] and his wife Sancha. In 1317, Sancha sold it to Count Peter Pippin, Lord of ]. The resistance of the citizens denied him the possession of his acquisition, and resistance only stopped when they gained some degree of independence under the royal authority of ]. San Severo was then declared a royal city in perpetuity.<ref name="Cfr. Corteo storico Carlo V">Cfr. Corteo storico Carlo V</ref>
It became the capital of ] (province) of ], under whose jurisdiction also included ], the city was the seat of provincial officials and the court of the Royal Audience. After queen ] stayed there, many ]{{Disambiguation needed|date=June 2011}} monarchs followed in her presence including ] and ]. In the fifteenth century, the city also minted its own coins.<ref name="Cfr. Corteo storico Carlo V"/>


It became the capital of ] (province) of ], whose jurisdiction also included ]. The city was the seat of provincial officials and the court of the Royal Audience. After Queen ] stayed there, many ] ] followed in her presence, including ] and ]. In the fifteenth century, the city also minted its own coins.<ref name="Cfr. Corteo storico Carlo V"/>
===The Renaissance to Principality===
In 1521 ] sold the city to the Duke of ], Ferdinand of Capua, but Mayor Tiberio Solis was able to redeem it by paying 42,000 ] to the Emperor. By collecting contributions from private citizens, and especially with some bankers from Naples incurred the enormous debt of 32,000 ducats. The king then said that San Severo city would be perpetually self-directing and inalienable. According to tradition, in January 1536 Charles V would have the presence his same honor, ennobling twenty-four families, and establishing the towns ] regime.<ref name="Cfr. Corteo storico Carlo V"/>
San Severo became the most populous city of Capitanata in the sixteenth century. The richness of commerce, cultural vitality and self-government made it one of the major centers of the south, due to the presence of a large Venetian warehouse. Directly connected to the Fortore river was an important link between the Venetians and the ]. ] (Venice, 1550) writes of San Severo "this castle is very rich, noble, civilized and filled with people, and is so wealthy that he envied any other in this region."<ref>Antonio Lucchino, Memorie della Città di Sansevero e suoi avvenimenti per quanto si rileva negli anni prima del 1629 , a cura di Michele Campanozzi, San Severo, Felice Miranda Editore, 1994, p. 31. 31.</ref>
The town also established ecclesiastical organizations, with four wealthy ]es, several ]s, some ] and nine religious institutes.


===The Age of the Principality === ===From Renaissance to Principality===
In 1521, ] sold the city to the Duke of ], Ferdinand of Capua, but Mayor Tiberio Solis was able to redeem it by paying 42,000 ] to the Emperor by collecting contributions from private citizens. The king then granted the city of San Severo the perpetual right to self-government. According to tradition, in January 1536, Charles V also ennobled twenty-four local families, establishing the town's ] regime.<ref name="Cfr. Corteo storico Carlo V"/>
In 1579, at the height of its prestige but suffocated in debt, the city was sold to Duke Gian Francesco di Sangro, who won for his heirs the title of Prince of Sansevero. Consequently, it lost its rank as capital, which passed to ], which transferred the governor of the province and the court.
A bad relationship between the citizens and with the new feudal lords, who failed to inacerbire subjects with unscrupulous and tyrannical acts.<ref>Cit. in Francesco de Ambrosio, Memorie storiche della Città di Sansevero in Capitanata , Napoli, de Angelis, 1875, p. 70.</ref> Many families of the old Sanseveresi aristocracy immediately chose to leave the city and those who remained watched helplessly the era known as the Regime of Forty.<ref name="ReferenceA">Una minuziosa cronaca del terremoto è contenuta nella coeva opera dello storiografo Antonio Lucchino ( Memorie della Città di Sansevero e suoi avvenimenti per quanto si rileva negli anni prima del 1629 cit.)</ref>
The ] was the beginning of a decline, despite the promotion of the city to ] in 1580. On July 30 of 1627 a catastrophic earthquake, almost completely razed it to the ground and caused the deaths of eight hundred inhabitants and an unspecified number of foreigners. Reconstruction was slow, and hindered by the plague epidemic of 1656 and 1657 (there were about three thousand people killed). In the eighteenth century the city started to flourish, with a markedly ] appearance.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
On April 16, 1797 ]{{Disambiguation needed|date=June 2011}} visited San Severo and there he reviewed the Regina regiment. On April 25, Prince ] and Queen ], came there to visit and attended a solemn mass in the cathedral.
In February 1799, following a fierce reaction to the proclamation of the ] republic, ] troops, commanded by Generals ] and La Foret plundered the city with terrible violence. The victims, between citizens and soldiers, were about four hundred and fifty.<ref>Bicentenario dei moti rivoluzionari del 1799. Atti della Giornata di studio (San Severo, 3 dicembre 1999) , San Severo, Archeoclub d'Italia, 2000.</ref>


San Severo became the most populous city in Capitanata in the 16th century. The rich commerce, cultural vitality and self-government made it one of the major centers of the south, due to the presence of a large Venetian warehouse. Directly connected to the Fortore river was an important link between the Venetians and the ]. ] (1550) writes of San Severo "this castle is very rich, noble, civilized and filled with people, and is so wealthy that he envied any other in this region."<ref>{{cite book|first=Antonio |last=Lucchino|title=Memorie della Città di Sansevero e suoi avvenimenti per quanto si rileva negli anni prima del 1629|editor= Michele Campanozzi|location=San Severo|publisher=Felice Miranda Editore|year=1994|page=31}}</ref> The town also established ecclesiastical organizations, with four wealthy parishes, several hospitals, some religious ] and nine religious institutes.
===Nineteenth Century===
]]]
Feudalism was abolished in 1806 and San Severo was the sixth largest city of the kingdom by number of inhabitants. It became the capital of one of the three districts and then sub-prefecture. In 1819 the ancient palace Decurionate inaugurated in the ], first Italian districts and one of the first in the South. After the French decade, the city became a key stronghold of the ], so that ] long dreamed of making the idea of San Severo, the starting point of the riots of 1820. In 1826 the monumental cemetery was opened. On May 18, 1847 ] visited the city. The large public gardens, however, were dedicated in 1854, while in 1858 there was the dedication of the Ferdinandea Civic Library.<ref name="Carmelo G. Severino 2007, p. 150. 150">Carmelo G. Severino, San Severo città di Puglia , Roma, Gangemi Editore, 2007, p. 150. 150</ref>


===The Age of the Principality===
In 1860 San Severo contributed many young people to increase the ranks of the ], when ] was still on the throne, and was the among the first cities to proclaim allegiance to the ] and to hoist the tricolor ]. On October 21 the same year, the Sanseveresi voted unanimously for a united Italy. From 1862 to 1864, during the riots, the city was the seat of the 49th Regiment unit, who distinguished itself in the repression. After the unit built the railway station (1863), created the high school and technical schools (1864), they also started two major bands, the "White" in 1879 and "Red" in 1883, who obtained several international awards.<ref name="Carmelo G. Severino 2007, p. 150. 150"/>
In 1579, at the height of its prestige but suffocated in debt, the city was sold to Duke Gian Francesco di Sangro, who won for his heirs the title of Prince of Sansevero. Consequently, it lost its rank as capital, which passed to ], and the governor of the province and the court was transferred.

Accustomed to self-government, the citizens chafed under the tyranny of their new feudal lords.<ref name="deA">{{cite book|first=Francesco |last=de Ambrosio|title= Memorie storiche della Città di Sansevero in Capitanata |location=Naples|publisher= de Angelis|year= 1875|page= 70}}</ref> Many families of the old Sanseveresi aristocracy immediately chose to leave the city and those who remained watched helplessly as the era known as the "Regime of Forty" unfolded.<ref name="deA"/>

This was an era of decline for the city, despite the promotion of the city to ] in 1580. On July 30, 1627, a catastrophic earthquake almost razed the town to the ground and killed eight hundred inhabitants and an unspecified number of foreigners. Reconstruction was slow, and hindered by the plague epidemic of 1656 and 1657 (during which nearly three thousand people died). In the eighteenth century, the city was rebuilt with a markedly ] appearance.<ref name="ReferenceA">Una minuziosa cronaca del terremoto è contenuta nella coeva opera dello storiografo Antonio Lucchino ( Memorie della Città di Sansevero e suoi avvenimenti per quanto si rileva negli anni prima del 1629 cit.)</ref>
On April 16, 1797, ] visited San Severo and there he reviewed the Regina regiment. On April 25, Prince ] and ], came there to visit and attended a solemn mass in the cathedral.
In February 1799, following a fierce reaction to the proclamation of the ] republic, ] troops, commanded by Generals ] and La Foret plundered the city with terrible violence. The victims, between citizens and soldiers, were about four hundred and fifty.<ref>Bicentenario dei moti rivoluzionari del 1799. Atti della Giornata di studio (San Severo, 3 dicembre 1999), San Severo, Archeoclub d'Italia, 2000.</ref>

===19th Century===

Feudalism was abolished in 1806 and San Severo was the sixth largest city of the kingdom by number of inhabitants. It became the capital of one of the three districts and then sub-prefecture. In 1819, the ancient palace Decurionate inaugurated in the ], the first Italian district and one of the first in the south. After the French occupation, the city became a key stronghold of the ], so that ] long dreamed of making San Severo the starting point of the riots of 1820. In 1826, the monumental cemetery was opened. On May 18, 1847, ] visited the city. The large public gardens were dedicated in 1854, while in 1858, there was the dedication of the Ferdinandea Civic Library.<ref name="Carmelo G. Severino 2007, p. 150. 150">Carmelo G. Severino, San Severo città di Puglia, Roma, Gangemi Editore, 2007, p. 150. 150</ref>

In 1860, San Severo contributed many young people to increase the ranks of the anti Bourbon-militias, when ] was still on the throne, and was among the first cities to proclaim allegiance to the ] and to hoist the tricolor ]. On October 21 the same year, the Sanseveresi voted unanimously for a united Italy. From 1862 to 1864, during the riots, the city was the seat of the 49th Regiment unit, who distinguished itself in the suppression. After the unit built the ] in 1863, and created the high school and technical schools in 1864, they also started two major bands, the "White" in 1879 and "Red" in 1883, who obtained several international awards.<ref name="Carmelo G. Severino 2007, p. 150. 150"/>


===Modern=== ===Modern===
On April 29, 1923 the Crown Prince ] visited the city and inaugurated the magnificent school building "Principe di Piemonte". In 1929 the municipal sports field was inaugurated. On April 29, 1923, the Crown Prince ] visited the city and inaugurated the school building "Principe di Piemonte". In 1929, the municipal sports field was inaugurated. On October 27, 1931, the Minister of Communications, ], dedicated the Ferrovie del Gargano, linking the station of San Severo to a number of places on the Gargano-] line. On December 9, 1937, the curtain of the new Municipal theater was opened for the first time.
On October 27, 1931 the Minister of Communications ], dedicated the Ferrovie del Gargano, linking the station of San Severo to a number of places in the ] to ] line, while December 9, 1937 opened the curtain of the new Municipal theater for the first time.
] in ]]] ] in ]]]
During the ], on September 9, 1943 a group of Italian soldiers were involved in an episode of resistance, refusing to surrender to the Germans.<ref name="Carmelo G. Severino 2007, p. 150. 150"/> By September 28 the Germans blew up the telephone exchange, the Casillo mill and several bridges, including that of the railway. During World War II San Severo was the home of a U.S. ] of the ]. ] fighters of the 31st Fighter Brigade lead the armed escorts and support operations from San Severo on April 2, 1944 to March 3, 1945. During the ], on September 9, 1943, a group of Italian soldiers were involved in an episode of resistance, refusing to surrender to the Germans.<ref name="Carmelo G. Severino 2007, p. 150. 150"/> By September 28, the Germans blew up the telephone exchange, the Casillo mill and several bridges, including that of the railway. During World War II, San Severo was the home of a ] ] for the ]. ] fighters of the 31st Fighter Brigade lead armed escorts and support operations from San Severo on April 2, 1944 to March 3, 1945.

On March 23, 1950 San Severo workers rioted against police, raising barricades and storming the armory and the headquarters of ]. The clashes caused one death and wounded forty civilians and soldiers and army tanks occupied the main streets of the city. In the following days, an armed insurrection against the powers of the state, people were arrested, acquitted and a year later released after the trial.<ref name="Carmelo G. Severino 2007, p. 150. 150"/>
On March 23, 1950, San Severo workers rioted against police, raising barricades and storming the armory and the headquarters of the ]. The clashes caused one death and wounded forty civilians and soldiers and army tanks occupied the main streets of the city. In the following days, an armed insurrection was raised against the powers of the state; people were arrested, acquitted, and a year later released after the trial.<ref name="Carmelo G. Severino 2007, p. 150. 150"/>
Pope ] visited the city on May 25, 1987. In 1996, by special decree, the President of the Republic ] confirmed for San Severo the title of city, historically acquired in 1580, the establishment of the Sanseveresi diocese. In 1999, at the ] and the Senate, were presented two bills (respectively 6472 and 4370) for the establishment of the province of San Severo, comprising 22 municipalities in ] north of ] and ]. Between October 31 and November 2 in 2002 a violent earthquake, known as the Molise earthquake has damaged many buildings in the old village and caused the closure of some historic churches.
Pope ] visited the city on May 25, 1987. In 1996, by special decree, the President of the Republic, ], confirmed for San Severo the title of city, historically acquired in 1580, and the establishment of the Sanseveresi diocese. In 1999, at the ] and the Senate, San Severo was presented two bills (respectively 6472 and 4370) for the establishment of the province of San Severo, comprising 22 municipalities in ] north of ] and ]. Between October 31 and November 2, 2002, a violent ], known as the Molise earthquake, damaged many buildings in the old village and caused the closure of some of its historic churches.

==Miracle of San Severino==
According to legend, the apparition of St Severino has appeared to the relief of his city on two occasions. In 1522, along with the apparition of St Sebastian, he appeared to warn about a looming army of mercenaries. Six years later, his apparition is credited with driving away the imperial army. During the War of Lautrec, San Severo was besieged and seized by the French general, who then promptly died. The town now feared retribution by the imperial army, who were at the walls. In order to avoid a long siege, the imperial soldiers feigned a withdrawal, intending to storm the town by surprise the next night. Legend holds that when the imperial troops returned the next night, before the walls of San Severo, they came upon a huge army under the command of a knight holding a bright sword in his right hand and a red flag in his left, and fled in fear. The next morning some people, unaware of the miracle, found some of the imperials asleep near the monastery of San Bernardino. The soldiers told the events of the night before, and the people agreed that their patron saint, San Severino, had personally defended them. The people then found that the altar cloth in the church had large hoofprints, a sign of their saintly defenders.

On his feast day, each year, the town donates a hundred pounds of wax to the patron saint, proclaimed Defensor Patriae. From thence, the town's civic emblem is San Severino riding with a red flag in his right hand.


==Etymology== ==Etymology==
The city derives its name from the patron saint ], the owner of the church around which the castellum was formed. The original "Sanctus Severinus" appeared in seven papers written between 1116 and 1266. "Sanctus Severus", however, is first attested in a document dated 1134, also known only in dubious modern transcription.<ref name="Cfr. Emanuele d 2008, pp. 27-29">Cfr. Emanuele d'Angelo, San Severino, il Defensor Patriae, in San Severino Abate, patrono principale della città e diocesi di San Severo. Nel centenario della conferma del patronato, 1908-2008, San Severo, Parrocchia San Severino Abate - Pia Associazione San Severino Abate, 2008, pp. 27-29.</ref> In some documents, the header is read in Latin with the original spelling and the one derived in the text in the vernacular; this suggests that the change is due to ancient agiotoponimo syncope, withdrawal common in the transition from Latin to Italian: Sanctus Severinus> Sanseverinus> Sansevero, especially since no saint named Severus was revered in the city before the end of the seventeenth century. Uncoincidentally, the official name "Sansevero" - acknowledging the uncommon variants San Severo and S. Severo - was always in the univerbata form.<ref name="Cfr. Emanuele d 2008, pp. 27-29"/>
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In 1931 the municipality, at the request of the Ministry of Interior, officially adopted the spelling "San Severo", having been taken from the dictionary compiled by the United Town's ] (The situation is analogous to that of ]). The change of the name was accepted with little to no resistance, so that today it is used almost universally. An exception is made by ] and the ], which represents the city by writing "S. Severe".<ref name="Cfr. Emanuele d 2008, pp. 27-29"/>
'''Miracle of San Severino'''


==Main sights==
----
On February 2, 2006, the town received recognition as an art city. The center retains its medieval labyrinthine street grids, and was once delimited by a perimeter wall punctuated by seven gates. The medieval town suffered from the earthquake of July 30, 1627. It is rich in ] palaces (including those of de Petris, del Sordo, de Lucretiis, Fraccacreta, Mascia, Recca, de Ambrosio, Pozzo, and Summantico). It had a number of monasteries, including three ] monasteries (now the seat of the Court), a Celestine monastery (which became the town hall in 1813) and a ] monastery (now the seat of the Municipal Library and Museum).
According to public records, the patron saint appeared twice in relief of the city entrusted to him. In 1522, with St. Sebastian, to warn the public of the attack of mercenaries willing to do looting and in 1528, when he drove off the imperial army .
During the so-called war of Lautrec, San Severo was besieged and opened the doors to the French leader. Lautrec died shortly after, and the imperial army recovered all the towns occupied by the enemy. San Severo feared irreparable punishment and in fact was soon besieged. Facing a long resistance, the soldiers withdrew, intending to return to surprise the town the next night. At night the Imperialists returned unexpected, but the walls of the city saw a huge army under the command of a knight holding a bright sword in his right hand and a flag of red in the left, who in turned terrified and put to flight the aggressors.
The next morning some people, unaware of the miracle, went through the fields and found some of the imperials slumped near the monastery of San Bernardino. The soldiers told the extraordinary events of the night and the people agreed that their patron saint, San Severino, had personally defended them. The people gathered, in the church and found on the altar cloth larger horse footprints riding in which the saint had appeared. The town donates each year to the patron saint, proclaimed Defensor Patriae, a hundred pounds of wax on his feast day, and from then on he was adopted on San Severo civic emblem riding with a red flag in his right hand.


At the center of the town is the ] church of San Severino, dedicated to the patron of the city. The cathedral, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, has undergone many reconstructions. The interior has a 12th-century baptismal font and paintings by eighteenth-century painters such as D'Elia, Primavera, and ]). The Church of San Giovanni Battista has paintings by ]. The cupola of the church of Santa Maria del Carmine was frescoed by ].
}}
]
The city's name derives from that of the patron saint, ]{{Disambiguation needed|date=June 2011}}, owner of the church around which the castellum was formed. The original Sanctus Severinus appeared in seven papers written between 1116 and 1266. Sanctus Severus, however, is first attested in a document dated 1134, also known only in dubious modern transcription.<ref name="Cfr. Emanuele d 2008, pp. 27-29">Cfr. Emanuele d'Angelo, San Severino, il Defensor Patriae , in San Severino Abate, patrono principale della città e diocesi di San Severo. Nel centenario della conferma del patronato, 1908-2008 , San Severo, Parrocchia San Severino Abate - Pia Associazione San Severino Abate, 2008, pp. 27-29.</ref>
In some documents, the header is read in Latin with the original spelling and the one derived in the text in the vernacular: this suggests that the change is due to ancient agiotoponimo syncope, withdrawal common in the transition from Latin to Italian: Sanctus Severinus> Sanseverinus> Sansevero, especially since no saint named Severus is revered in the city before the end of the seventeenth century. It is no coincidence, the official name - while acknowledging the uncommon variants San Severo and S. Severo - Sansevero was always in the univerbata form.<ref name="Cfr. Emanuele d 2008, pp. 27-29"/>
In 1931 the municipality, at the request of the Ministry of Interior, it officially adopted the spelling San Severo, having been taken from the dictionary compiled by the United Town’s ] (The situation is analogous to that of ]). The little or no resistance to the change has meant that the form of San Severo was accepted, so that today it is used almost universally. A curious exception is represented by ] and the ], which represents the city with writing S. Severe.<ref name="Cfr. Emanuele d 2008, pp. 27-29"/>


The ''Teatro Comunale'', dedicated to ], is the largest theater building in ], premiered in 1937. It has a large public garden with century old avenues that converge on an artificial mound called Montagnella, and a platform with bronze statues and a large round stage for concerts. A number of small monuments are dispersed throughout the flower beds, including the marble bust (1837) of ] by ].
==Art, monuments and urban design==
San Severo retains a remarkable historical center, dotted with significant monuments, which on February 2, 2006 it received recognition as an art city.
The center, defined by the perimeter wall punctuated by seven gates, now completely dismantled, was deeply affected by the terrible earthquake of July 30, 1627. It retains its medieval labyrinthine road system. It is rich in Baroque monuments mainly as mansions (de Petris, del Sordo, de Lucretiis, Fraccacreta, Mascia, Recca, de Ambrosio, to Pozzo, Summantico etc.), the three ] ] (now the seat of the Court), of Celestine (town hall from 1813) and ] (seat of the Municipal Library and Museum), and the churches of Santa Maria della Pieta and San Lorenzo (both national monuments) and St. Nicholas and the Trinity.
At the center is the Church of San Severino (also a National Monument), dedicated to the first and principal patron of the city and diocese, which preserves the external ] perspective, with a rose window and fine stone ]way. The vast ], dedicated to ], is the result of numerous rearrangements, in preserves, among other things, an invaluable font of the twelfth century and important eighteenth-century paintings (D'Elia, Spring, and ]). Other religious buildings of historic and artistic interest are the Church of St. John the Baptist (with paintings by Nicola Menzel) and the churches of Santa Maria del Carmine (great domes painted by Mario Borgoni), Saint Augustine (sanctuary), St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony Abbot, Holy Cross, St. Mary of Constantinople (Capuchin), San Sebastian, Santa Lucia, Santa Maria delle Grazie and San Matteo (or San Bernardino).
]
Interesting are also the Bishop's Palace, altered several times, and the seventeenth-century Palazzo del Seminario, significantly expanded in the nineteenth century. The imposing ]{{Disambiguation needed|date=June 2011}}, the largest theater building in ] and among the largest of ], which opened in 1937 and dedicated to ]. The large public garden with century old avenues that converge on an artificial mound called Montagnella, has an elegant platform with bronze statues and a large round stage for concerts. Among the flower beds are placed a few small monuments, among them are the marble bust of ], a work created in 1837 by ].
Noteworthy, too, are several large public buildings built in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, including the kindergarten "Matteo Trotta (1899), the Nursing Home "Concetta Masselli"(1902), the Hospital Teresa Masselli-Male "(1906) and the school building dedicated by Umberto of Savoy, the April 29, 1923.
While there are isolated buildings, the city, after the thirteenth major extension linked to the construction of new walls and the transformation of the old wall circuit in a major ring road, coincided with the town center - a maze of streets and lanes winding between large and sometimes huge blocks - roughly until the seventeenth century. After the earthquake of 1627 and the gradual removal of walls, the town expanded beyond the defensive wall. New districts were added to different neighborhoods (including Borgo Casale, the Village and the Bear quarter of the Jews). Thus were born the town districts of Catacubbi (or Grace), the neighborhood above the Rosary and the Porto Lucera, in San Antonio, Foggia Porta and Porta San Marco. To contain the damage caused by frequent earthquakes, buildings normally do not exceed two floors (and often were reduced to low ground floors and whitewashed gable roofs). The Patrician Palace, and major ecclesiastical architecture (main churches and monasteries), which are crowned by domes and steeples face more of a challenge during earthquakes.
Between the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, the town continued to expand and the city constructed vast squares, like Piazza Cavallotti Coronation, and large tree-lined streets, such as the avenue of Corso Garibaldi and Viale Matteotti.
The high artistic and architectural heritage of the Sanseveresi does not end in the urban area: the commune is full of farms, with centuries-old often fortified rural architecture. Among the more prominent farms are the Torretta, del Sordo, Tabanaro, Scoppa, St. Matthew, Antonacci and Tower of Reeds.


After the earthquake of 1627 and the gradual removal of walls, the town expanded with the creation of new districts. To contain the damage caused by frequent earthquakes, most of the buildings do not exceed two floors (and often were reduced to low ground floors and whitewashed gable roofs). The expansion of the city continued into the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.
==Society==

==Sanseveresi Dialect==
==Dialect==
As the geographical position of the city, which allows direct contact for centuries with dialects of ], northern ], ] and ], the Sanseveresi dialect, overall is very close to ]. Its dialect is different than the ] dialect or the extraneous dialect of ].<ref>''Notiziario storico-archeologico del Centro di studi sanseveresi'' del dicembre 1975 (p. 63)</ref> An example is saying "The dog bites the ragged". In the Foggia dialect it is made with “U chen muccichèjë 'u stracce” the San Severo dialect the phase is said “U chen mòccëchë 'u straccet”.<ref>Cfr. Attilio Littera - Ciro Pistillo, Grammatica del dialetto di San Severo , Apricena, Malatesta Editrice, 2006; Ciro Pistillo - Attilio Littera, Dizionario del dialetto di San Severo , Apricena, Malatesta Editrice, 2006.</ref>
Because of its geographic location, San Severo has had direct contact for centuries with the dialects of ], northern ], ], and ]. As a result, the ''Sanseverese'' dialect is overall very close to that of ]. Among the various dialects of Apulia, it differs somewhat from that of nearby ] and has little relationship with that of the city of ].<ref>''Notiziario storico-archeologico del Centro di studi sanseveresi'' del dicembre 1975 (p. 63)</ref> As an example, the sentence, "The dog bites the bottom," in standard Italian would be "''Il cane morde lo straccione''," whereas in ''Sanseverese'' it would be "''U chen mòccëchë 'u straccet''," and in the Foggian dialect it would be "''U chen muccichèjë 'u stracce''."<ref>Cfr. Attilio Littera - Ciro Pistillo, Grammatica del dialetto di San Severo, Apricena, Malatesta Editrice, 2006; Ciro Pistillo - Attilio Littera, Dizionario del dialetto di San Severo, Apricena, Malatesta Editrice, 2006.</ref>


==San Severo DOC== ==San Severo DOC==
The ] around San Severo produces red, white and '']'' wines as well as the occasional ] ''spumante''. Grapes are limited to a ] yield of 14 tonnes/ha throughout the 2,000 ha (5000 acre) production zone. The red and ''rose'' wines are made from 70-100% ] with ] permitted up to 30%. The white and ''spumante'' wines are produced 40-60% ], 40-60% ] and up to 20% ].<ref>P. Saunders ''Wine Label Language'' pg 199 Firefly Books 2004 ISBN 1552977200</ref> The ] around San Severo produces red, white and ] wines, as well as the occasional ] spumante. Grapes are limited to a ] yield of 14 tonnes/ha throughout the 2,000 ha (5000 acre) production zone. The red and rose wines are made from 70-100% ] with ] permitted by up to 30%. The white and spumante wines are produced with 40-60% ], 40-60% ] and up to 20% ].<ref>P. Saunders ''Wine Label Language'' pg 199 Firefly Books 2004 {{ISBN|1-55297-720-X}}</ref>

==Events==


===Patronal feast===
==Traditions and folklore==
===The patronal feast===
] ]
San Severo is famous for its yearly festival held on the third Sunday of May. Called "La Festa del Soccorso" (The Festival of Help/Aid), it is held in honor of the patron saints of San Severo, "La Madonna del Soccorso" (The Madonna of Help/Aid), ], and ]. During this festival, San Severo has plenty of nighttime and daytime fireworks in order to celebrate Our Lady. The daytime fireworks are the biggest attraction. Extremely loud firecracker chains (some which can be termed downright explosive) are placed along the city streets. In many cases they extend for kilometers. A common practice is for young males to run along the firecrackers as they explode down the street (an analogue tradition, called "]", exist in Spain). These people are called 'fuejentes' (people who enjoy running through the fireworks) and are proud to keep to this traditional "race through the fireworks" alive. For this reason San Severo is called "the city of fireworks". San Severo is famous for its yearly festival held on the third Sunday of May. Called "La Festa del Soccorso" (The Festival of Help/Aid), it is held in honor of the patron saints of San Severo, "La Madonna del Soccorso" (The Madonna of Help/Aid), ], and ]. During this festival, San Severo features nighttime and daytime fireworks in order to celebrate the Madonna; the daytime fireworks are a major attraction.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}} Extremely loud firecracker chains are placed along the city streets. In many cases they extend for kilometers. A common practice is for young males to run along the firecrackers as they explode down the street (an analogue tradition, called "]", exists in Spain). These people are called "fuejentes" (people who enjoy running through the fireworks). For this reason San Severo is called "the city of fireworks".{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}


===The rituals for Good Friday=== ===Rituals for Good Friday===
Among the many traditions are the rites of the ]. At dawn on ], a procession starts simultaneously from the three churches. From the Churches of the Pieta, carrying the eighteenth-century statue of ] (Confraternity of prayer and Death); from Trinity Church, carrying a wooden effigy of ] bound to the column (Arch-confraternity of the ]), and the Church of St. Augustine, with the heavy cross of ] carried on shoulders by hooded penitents (Confraternity of Help), the three sacred processions converge in the ancient Piazza del Castello, where the poignant Incontro: where the statues proceed towards each other, but the embrace of the Mother and the Son is blocked by the Cross, which arises suddenly between them. Among the many traditions are the rites of the ]. At dawn on ], a procession starts simultaneously from the three churches. From the Church of the Pieta, the procession carries the eighteenth-century statue of ] (confraternity of prayer and death); from the Trinity Church, the procession carries a wooden effigy of ] bound to the column (Arch-confraternity of the ]), and from the Church of St. Augustine a procession of hooded penitents carries the heavy cross of ] on their shoulders (confraternity of help). The three sacred processions converge in the ancient Piazza del Castello, where the statues proceed towards each other, but the embrace of the Mother and the Son is blocked by the Cross, which arises suddenly between them.


===Other religious holidays=== ===Other religious holidays===
Other festivals, with processions and include the ] (July 16), ] (August 16) and the ] (the third Sunday in October), as well as the recurrence of Concetta namely the Immaculate Conception (December 8). There are also the feasts of ] (December 13) and ] (January 17), the latter with the historic blessing of the animals. Other festivals with processions include the ] festival (July 16), ] (August 16) and the ] (the third Sunday in October), as well as the recurrence of Concetta, namely the Immaculate Conception (December 8). There are also the feasts of ] (December 13) and ] (January 17), the latter with the historic blessing of the animals. The patron saints are, respectively, Severino and Severo, and are celebrated on September 25 and the Saturday before the fourth Sunday in October. Moreover, the solemn ceremony of the vote in San Severino is celebrated annually on January 8 by the Municipal Administration, during which it remembers the apparition of the patron saint.
The patron saints are, respectively Severino Severo and celebrated, September 25 and Saturday before the fourth Sunday in October. January 8, moreover, is celebrated every year the solemn ceremony of the vote in San Severino by the Municipal Administration, during which it remembers the apparition of the patron saint.


===Carnival=== ===Carnival===
In the period of carnival it is customary to prepare awkward puppets that are hung, comically sitting on small chairs by the doors of houses. On ], at dusk, they celebrate their colorful funeral, which ends with burning of those puppets, sometimes stuffed with firecrackers. The city does not seem to have had a real typical mask: the traditional outfit more widespread, however, requires that men wear flashy clothes. During the time of the annual carnival, it is customary to prepare awkward puppets that are arranged in comical sitting positions on small chairs by the doors of houses. On ], at dusk, the people celebrate the colorful "funeral" of the puppets, which ends with the burning of the puppets, which are sometimes stuffed with firecrackers. The city does not seem to have a real typical mask, however, a more widespread traditional outfit requires that men wear flashy clothes.


===The wine festival=== ===Wine festival===
In recent years the old Grape Festival, celebrates one of the main products of the Sanseveresi, during the Feast of ], (or Festival of New Wine) which is held in the historic heart of the city for several days around November 11, with exhibition of local products, wine tasting and local cuisine and various cultural performances (concerts, exhibitions, folklore shows etc.). In recent years, the old Grape Festival celebrates one of the main products of the Sanseveresi, during the Feast of ], (or Festival of New Wine) which is held in the historic heart of the city for several days around November 11, with exhibition of local products, wine tasting and local cuisine and various cultural performances (concerts, exhibitions, folklore shows, etc.).


==Culture== ==Culture==

===Museums, libraries and archives=== ===Museums, libraries and archives===
] ]
The preservation and promotion of artistic heritage, the city’s books and periodicals are raison d'être of a number of important public and private institutions that promote the cultural development of San Severo and its surroundings. The preservation and promotion of artistic heritage, the city's books, and periodicals are the raison d'être of a number of important public and private institutions that promote the cultural development of San Severo and its surroundings.

*Museum of the Tavoliere (MAT) is set in an eighteenth-century Franciscan monastery, also known as Palazzo San Francesco. It retains a considerable archaeological heritage, with exhibits from the ] to the ], and a gallery with works of the modern age.
*The Museum of the Tavoliere (MAT) is set in an eighteenth-century Franciscan monastery, also known as Palazzo San Francesco. It retains a considerable archaeological heritage, with exhibits from the ] to the ], and a gallery with works of the modern age.
*Pinacoteca "Luigi Schingo" is a section of MAT, with headquarters in Palazzo San Francesco; collects some works of Sanseveresi ].
**Pinacoteca "Luigi Schingo" is a section of MAT, with headquarters in Palazzo San Francesco; it holds some works of the Sanseveresi artist ].
*Diocesan Museum: contains sacred art, housed in the basement of the Palazzo del Seminario, with silver, vestments and works of different eras. Among the most significant artifacts stand out a collection of medieval collection plates embossed with copper and some medieval and Renaissance polychrome wooden statues.
**The community library "Alexander Minutia" is now located temporarily in the Palazzo San Francesco. The historic institution, originally called Ferdinandea, boasts a heritage of over ninety thousand volumes of books and a prestigious background of ancient writings, as well as many rare incunabula.
*Permanent display of carriages and finishes of the eighteenth century was built in 2007 on Viale Matteotti. It is part of the cultural initiatives promoted by the banking group ].
*The Diocesan Museum contains sacred art, housed in the basement of the Palazzo del Seminario, with silver, vestments, and works of different eras. Among the most significant artifacts are a collection of medieval collection plates embossed with copper, and some medieval and Renaissance polychrome wooden statues.
*Community Library "Alexander minutia" now located temporarily in the Palazzo San Francesco. The historic institution, originally called Ferdinandea boasts a heritage of over ninety thousand volumes of books and a prestigious background ancient writings as well as many rare incunabula.
*A permanent display of carriages and finishes of the eighteenth century was built in 2007 on Viale Matteotti. It is part of the cultural initiatives promoted by the banking group ].
*"Father Benedetto Nardella" of Friars Minor ] Library: housed in the seventeenth-century convent of Santa Maria of Constantinople, collects twenty thousand volumes on mysticism, spirituality, ] of Pietrelcina and patriotic history.
*The "Father Benedetto Nardella" of Friars Minor ] Library, housed in the seventeenth-century convent of Santa Maria of Constantinople, holds twenty thousand volumes on mysticism, spirituality, ] of Pietrelcina, and patriotic history.
*"Happy Chir" economic-legal Library: made from ] Gramsci, makes available to students and scholars over fifty thousand texts and journals.
*The "Happy Chir" economic-legal Library, made from ] Gramsci, holds over fifty thousand texts and journals used frequently by students and scholars.
*Historical Archives: The Municipal Library, is an impressive collection of documents on civil and administrative life of the city in modern and contemporary art.
*Historical Archives: The Municipal Library, contains a vast collection of documents on civil and administrative life of the city in modern and contemporary art.
*Archival diocesan Trotta: is housed in the Palace, near the Cathedral, and boasts a rich documentary heritage, conservation, a significant number of parchments, episcopal archives, and above The Music Fund of the Benedictine monastery of San Lorenzo, includes, autographs of important Italian composers of the eighteenth century.
*Archival diocesan Trotta is housed in the Palace, near the Cathedral, and boasts a rich documentary of heritage, conservation, and a significant number of parchments and episcopal archives.
*The Music Fund of the Benedictine monastery of San Lorenzo includes autographs of important Italian composers of the eighteenth century.


Exhibitions of various kinds (archeology, painting, photography etc.) Are more or less regularly staged at the Museum, the Diocesan Museum and the Gallery of Modern Art in Palazzo San Lorenzo. Exhibitions of various kinds (archeology, painting, photography etc.) are more or less regularly staged at the Museum, the Diocesan Museum and the Gallery of Modern Art in Palazzo San Lorenzo.


===Theater and music=== ===Theater and music===
The city is home to three public theaters: the Decurionate (1750 ca.), the ] (1819), the Teatro Verdi (by Cesare Bazzani, 1937). Throughout each year, alongside a full season of concerts curated by the Friends of Music, to set up Verdi ], a series of shows of ] (in collaboration with the consortium ]) and evenings at the ballet. The city is home to three public theaters: the Decurionate (1750 ca.), the ] (1819), and the Teatro Verdi (designed by ] in 1937). Throughout each year, alongside a full season of concerts curated by the Friends of Music, performances such as Verdi ], a series of shows of ] (in collaboration with the consortium ]) and evenings at the ballet are featured. Concerts of sacred music are held regularly in the churches of the historic center. The iconic Cantina D'Araprì features many music performances, including ] shows.<ref>Emanuele d'Angelo, I teatri pubblici di Sansevero dal Settecento ai giorni nostri. L'antica passione teatrale e musicale in un grande centro della Capitanata, «Fogli di periferia», XVII/1-2, 2005 (ma 2007), pp. 73-85.</ref>

Concerts of sacred music are held regularly in the churches of the historic center. The iconic Cantina D'Araprì is a place of offering quality music, with ].<ref>Emanuele d'Angelo, I teatri pubblici di Sansevero dal Settecento ai giorni nostri. L'antica passione teatrale e musicale in un grande centro della Capitanata , «Fogli di periferia», XVII/1-2, 2005 (ma 2007), pp. 73-85.
==Education==
</ref>


==Education ==
===University=== ===University===
San Severo's ] has active courses in Nursing, Business, and Viticulture and ] Science and technology of winemaking. Under construction at the former "Pascoli" school building the citadel that will host Economics courses, currently held temporarily in the Istituto commercial Fraccacreta Angel,” while those of Agriculture will be held at the Michele di Sangro Agricultural Institute.” San Severo's ] has active courses in nursing, business, ] and ] (the science and technology of winemaking). At the former "Pascoli" school building a citadel that will host economics courses is under construction; these courses are currently held temporarily in the Istituto commercial Fraccacreta Angel, while courses on agriculture will be held at the Michele di Sangro Agricultural Institute.


===Public schools=== ===Public schools===
There are five ]s, four ]s and eight ]s (Gymnasium High School, Liceo Scientifico, Istituto Tecnico Agrario, Commercial Technical Institute, Institute Industrial Technical Professional Institute, Institute for Teaching and Technical Institute for Surveyors). There are five ]s, four ]s, and eight ]s (the Gymnasium High School, Liceo Scientifico, Istituto Tecnico Agrario, Commercial Technical Institute, Institute Industrial Technical Professional Institute, Institute for Teaching and Technical Institute for Surveyors).


==Media== ==Media==
The city has several different local newspapers (Il Corriere di San Severo, San Severo Il Giornale, La Gazzetta di San Severo and the bell tower), and the broadcaster Tele Radio San Severo, produces Sansevero.tv and radio. The city has several different local newspapers (Il Corriere di San Severo, San Severo Il Giornale, La Gazzetta di San Severo, and the bell tower), and the broadcaster Tele Radio San Severo, which produces Sansevero television and radio broadcastings.

==People==


==Notable Sanseveresi==
===Letters and Science=== ===Letters and Science===
* '''],''' writer and poet (1932–1979) * ], writer and poet (1932–1979)
* '''],''' writer and poet (1888–1935) * ], writer and poet (1888–1935)
* '''],''' writer (1921–1995) * ], writer (1921–1995)
* '''],''' geologist and paleontologist (1877–1947) * ], geologist and paleontologist (1877–1947)
* '''],''' zoologist (1500 ca) * ], zoologist (1500 ca.)
* ], Police Officer (1965–present)
* '''],''' scientist (1745–1817)
* '''],''' economist (1882–1951) * ], scientist (1745–1817)
* '''],''' historian (1772–1857) * ], economist (1882–1951)
* '''],''' poet (1892–1947) * ], historian (1772–1857)
* ], poet (1892–1947)
* '''],''' publisher and printer (1450 ca.- 1532)
* ], publisher and printer (1450 ca.-1532)
* '''],''' historical (the 1938 - 2009)
* ], historical (1938-2009)
* '''],''' writer and actor (1906–1999)
* '''],''' mineralogist (1762–1835) * ], writer and actor (1906–1999)
* '''],''' mathematician (1803–1884) * ], mineralogist (1762–1835)
* ], mathematician


===Artists=== ===Artists===
* '''Matteo Germano''', sculptor (1937–2004) * Matteo Germano, sculptor (1937–2004)
* '''],''' cartoonist and painter (1956–1988) * ], cartoonist and painter (1956–1988)
* '''],''' sculptor (1905–1996) * ], sculptor (1905–1996)
* '''],''' painter and sculptor (1891–1976) * ], painter and sculptor (1891–1976)
* '''],''' actor (1964) * ], actor (1964)


===Politicians === ===Politicians===
* '''],''' trade unionist, senator and founding fathers (1896–1958) * ], trade unionist, senator and founding father (1896–1958)
* '''],''' deputy and senator, minister, president of RAI (1912–1986) * ], deputy and senator, minister, president of RAI (1912–1986)
* '''],''' former president of the Sicilian Region (1920) * ], former president of the Sicilian Region (1920)
* '''],''' a lawyer and founding fathers (1900–1954) * ], a lawyer and founding father (1900–1954)
* ], sindaco della Città (1962 al 1967)


===Musicians and singers=== ===Musicians and singers===
* ], composer and '']'', who spent his final years in San Severo and died there in 1842
* '''],''' musician (1922)
* ], musician (1922)
* ''']{{Disambiguation needed|date=June 2011}},''' composer and band director (1839–1887)
* ] composer and band director (1839–1887)
* '''],''' pop singer (1950)
* ], pop singer (1950)
* '''Dante Morlino''', composer (1909th - 1978th)
* '''],''' pop singer and television presenter (1956) * Dante Morlino, composer (1909-1978)
* ], pop singer and television presenter (1956)
* '''],''' opera singer (1667–1737) * ], opera singer (1667–1737)


===Sports=== ===Sports===
* '''],''' boxer (1967) * ], boxer (1967)
* '''],''' ultramarathoner (1968) * ], ultramarathoner (1968)
* '''],''' Basketball player (1961) * ], basketball player (1961)
* '''],''' Soccer Player (1982) * ], soccer player (1982)
* '''],''' Basketball Player (1984) * ], basketball player (1984)


===Bishops=== ===Bishops===
* '''Anthony, Bishop of ]''' in the fourteenth century * Anthony, Bishop of ] in the fourteenth century
* '''Sparano, bishop of ]''' from 1306 to 1326 * Sparano, Bishop of ] from 1306 to 1326
* '''Giacomo Bruno, Bishop of ]''' in the sixteenth century * Giacomo Bruno, Bishop of ] in the sixteenth century
* ''']''', ] and bishop of San Severo from 1583 to 1603. * ], ] and Bishop of San Severo from 1583 to 1603
* '''Francesco Antonio Sacchetti''', Bishop of San Severo in 1635, of ] from 1650 * Francesco Antonio Sacchetti, Bishop of San Severo in 1635, and of ] after 1650
* '''Francesco Antonio Giannone''', bishop of ] from 1685 to 1707 * Francesco Antonio Giannone, Bishop of ] from 1685 to 1707
* '''Carlo de Ambrosio''', bishop of ] from 1775 to 1785 * Carlo de Ambrosio, Bishop of ] from 1775 to 1785


==Economy== ==Economy==

===Agriculture and typical products=== ===Agriculture and typical products===
San Severo is at the forefront in the world for the production and marketing of wine, but is also producing huge quantities quality grain, grapes and olives for. Large agricultural resources have generated a lively system of small and medium-sized industrial and processing of products grown, exported and international markets. The Sanseveresi wine was the first, in Puglia, in obtaining the designation of origin (1968): White San Severo, San Severo sparkling white, red or rosé San Severo. San Severo is at the forefront in the world for the production and marketing of wine, but also produces large quantities of high quality grain, grapes, and olives. Large agricultural resources have generated a lively system of small and medium-sized industrial products grown and exported to international markets. In 1968 the Sanseveresi wine became the first in ] to obtain the Designation of Origin Control. The varieties are white San Severo, San Severo sparkling white, red, and Rosé San Severo.{{citation needed|date=February 2015}}
Famous are also the Peranzana (Dauno) olives, receiving the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). The centuries-old agricultural tradition, the town is evidenced, among other things, the name of the method of cultivation of olive trees. The Vase Sanseveresi is the method of pruning the foliage of trees like inverted cones, with focus on horizontal rather than height.<ref>Fonti: Scheda sull'olio d'oliva , L'Ovicoltura marginale in Puglia</ref><ref>Salvo Bordonaro - Bruno Pizzolante, La ferrovia garganica , Foggia, Claudio Grenzi Editore, 2006</ref>


San Severo is also noted for its production of Peranzana (Dauno) olives, which have received the Protected Designation of Origin designation (PDO). The Vase Sanseveresi is a centuries-old traditional method of pruning olive trees like inverted cones, with the focus on horizontal rather than height-based arrangement.<ref>Fonti: Scheda sull'olio d'oliva, L'Ovicoltura marginale in Puglia</ref><ref>Salvo Bordonaro - Bruno Pizzolante, La ferrovia garganica, Foggia, Claudio Grenzi Editore, 2006</ref>
==Twin Cities==

San Severo is ] with:
==Transport==
*{{flagicon|FRA}} ], ]
] is a relatively important station of the ], and is the western terminus of the ].
*{{flagicon|ESP}} ], ]

The town is served by the ] ]-] at the homonymous exit, and is crossed by the national highways SS16, SS89 and SS272.


==Sports== ==Sports==
San Severo is home to several different sports teams namely basketball, soccer, and volleyball. San Severo is home to several different sports teams.


There are two basketball teams, currently active and playing on the parquet floor of Palasport "Falcone e Borsellino" (4000 seats). The Basketball Association, founded in 1966, boasts a notable list of players of the past, including the pivot ]. Its colors are yellow and black, but for fans of the team the standard color is simply black. The team plays in the Lega A2 event in 2010/2011. Another amateur club is the San Severo Marvin School club.
===Basketball===
There are two Sanseveresi basketball teams currently active and playing on the parquet floor of Palasport "Falcone e Borsellino" (4000 seats). The Basketball Association, founded in 1966, boasts an important players of the past, for example the pivot ]. Its colors are yellow and black, but for fans of the players are simply black. Play in Lega A2 in 2010/2011. Another amateur clubs, is also the San Severo Marvin School.


There are three city soccer teams. The historic ], founded in 1922 (colors: yellow-grenade), competes at the Field Stadium. The Ricciardelli was recently renovated with synthetic grass. The other teams are GS Apocalypse, which was formed by ], and Pol Sanseveresi, founded in 2008.
===Soccer===
There are three city soccer teams. The historic San Severo U.S., founded in 1922 (colors: yellow-grenade), competes at Field Stadium "Ricciardelli, recently renovated with synthetic grass. GS Apocalypse, which was formed by ], and Pol Sanseveresi, founded in 2008.


===Volleyball===
The men's team San Severo Volleyball and women's GS Intrepid Volleyball (colors: blue) play on the field of PalaMarconi. The men's team San Severo Volleyball and women's GS Intrepid Volleyball (colors: blue) play on the field of PalaMarconi.


== References == ==Twin towns==
San Severo is ] with:
*{{flagicon|FRA}} ], ]
*{{flagicon|ESP}} ], ]

==See also==
*]

==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}


== External links == ==External links==
{{commons category|San Severo}}
* {{in lang|it}}
* *
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=San Severo|short=x}}


{{Province of Foggia}} {{Province of Foggia}}


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Latest revision as of 07:03, 25 October 2024

For other uses, see San Severo (disambiguation). Comune in Apulia, Italy
San Severo Sanzëvírë (Neapolitan)
Comune
Comune di San Severo
Flag of San SeveroFlag
San Severo within the Province of FoggiaSan Severo within the Province of Foggia
Location of San Severo
San Severo is located in ItalySan SeveroSan SeveroLocation of San Severo in ItalyShow map of ItalySan Severo is located in ApuliaSan SeveroSan SeveroSan Severo (Apulia)Show map of Apulia
Coordinates: 41°41′N 15°23′E / 41.683°N 15.383°E / 41.683; 15.383
CountryItaly
RegionApulia
ProvinceFoggia (FG)
Government
 • MayorLidya Colangelo (Independent (right-wing))
Area
 • Total336 km (130 sq mi)
Elevation90 m (300 ft)
Population
 • Total49,075
 • Density150/km (380/sq mi)
DemonymSanseveresi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code71016
Dialing code0882
Patron saintSaint Severinus Abbot, Saint Severus Bishop, Maria SS. del Soccorso
Saint dayMonday after third Sunday in May
WebsiteOfficial website

San Severo (pronounced [san seˈvɛːro]; formerly spelled Sansevero and previously known as San Severino; Northern Apulian: Sanzëvírë; Latin: Castellum Sancti Severini) is a comune (municipality) of c. 51,919 inhabitants in the province of Foggia, Apulia, Southern Italy. Rising on the foot of the spur of Gargano, San Severo adjoins the communes of Apricena in the north, Rignano Garganico and San Marco in Lamis in the east, Foggia and Lucera in the south, and Torremaggiore and San Paolo di Civitate in the west.

Geography

Territory

The city sits in low-lying country, its center being at about 90 metres (300 ft) above sea level. Geologically, its soil is quaternary (with sand and clay, fossils, and marine in origin). Its territory decreases in elevation from the west 125 metres (410 ft) to the east 26 metres (85 ft), gradually changing from minor ripples in the western hills to a more regular plain in the east at the Candelaro basin.

In addition to the Candelaro river, other waterways include the Triolo and Salsola torrents and Radicosa, Venola, Ferrante, Santa Maria and Potes channels. The scarcity of rain in the summer causes the groundwater to become brackish, especially in the subsoil of the city. The lands surrounding the city are studded with farms, characterized primarily by ordered groves and vineyards, as well as fields of wheat.

Climate

The climate is Mediterranean, with relatively mild winters (snow is rare) and very hot summers. High wind gusts are quite common.

History

Origins

According to legend, a city called Castrum Drionis (Casteldrione) was founded by the Greek king Diomedes. San Severo is said to be one of the last towns in Italy to remain pagan, and only in 536 did Saint Laurence of Siponto, bishop of Siponto, convert the town's inhabitants to Christianity. He also required that the village be renamed after governor Severus.

San Severo lies on the Daunia, and various Neolithic settlements have been detected. In the early Middle Ages, the area was not inhabited or defined. Between the Lombards and the Byzantine ages, the Benedictine monastery at Cassino was established, and with it, the cult of the apostle of Saint Severinus of Noricum. San Severo was founded in the 11th century around a small church built by the Benedictine monks from Montecassino. It rapidly developed as a trade town. In 1053, it was the scene of the historical victory of Robert Guiscard over the papal troops under Pope Leo IX (see Battle of Civitate). In the eleventh century, San Severo was the route of the Via Sacra Langobardorum and a primitive church arose dedicated to Saint Severino, from which continued an influx of pilgrims to Monte Sant'Angelo and movement of people and goods. The town was therefore called Castellum Sancti Severini ("Fortified Town of San Severo").

The conurbation developed rapidly due to its favorable position for trade, and soon took on considerable importance; it became the seat of Venetian, Florentine, Saracens and Jewish merchants. Subject to the abbots of the Benedictine monastery of San Pietro di Torremaggiore (in 1116 the abbot gave the famous Adenulfo Libertatis Charta), in 1230, the city rebelled against Frederick II of Hohenstaufen who ceded it to the Knights Templar.

Medieval

Medieval drawing of San Severo.

After the suppression of the Templars, by 1312, the city was refortified with a wall, and ceded to Robert d'Anjou and his wife Sancha. In 1317, Sancha sold it to Count Peter Pippin, Lord of Vico. The resistance of the citizens denied him the possession of his acquisition, and resistance only stopped when they gained some degree of independence under the royal authority of Naples. San Severo was then declared a royal city in perpetuity.

It became the capital of Giustizierato (province) of Capitanata, whose jurisdiction also included Molise. The city was the seat of provincial officials and the court of the Royal Audience. After Queen Joan I of Naples stayed there, many Neapolitan monarchs followed in her presence, including Alfonso I of Aragon and Ferdinand I of Naples. In the fifteenth century, the city also minted its own coins.

From Renaissance to Principality

In 1521, Charles V sold the city to the Duke of Termoli, Ferdinand of Capua, but Mayor Tiberio Solis was able to redeem it by paying 42,000 ducats to the Emperor by collecting contributions from private citizens. The king then granted the city of San Severo the perpetual right to self-government. According to tradition, in January 1536, Charles V also ennobled twenty-four local families, establishing the town's oligarchic regime.

San Severo became the most populous city in Capitanata in the 16th century. The rich commerce, cultural vitality and self-government made it one of the major centers of the south, due to the presence of a large Venetian warehouse. Directly connected to the Fortore river was an important link between the Venetians and the Kingdom of Naples. Leandro Alberti (1550) writes of San Severo "this castle is very rich, noble, civilized and filled with people, and is so wealthy that he envied any other in this region." The town also established ecclesiastical organizations, with four wealthy parishes, several hospitals, some religious confraternities and nine religious institutes.

The Age of the Principality

In 1579, at the height of its prestige but suffocated in debt, the city was sold to Duke Gian Francesco di Sangro, who won for his heirs the title of Prince of Sansevero. Consequently, it lost its rank as capital, which passed to Lucera, and the governor of the province and the court was transferred.

Accustomed to self-government, the citizens chafed under the tyranny of their new feudal lords. Many families of the old Sanseveresi aristocracy immediately chose to leave the city and those who remained watched helplessly as the era known as the "Regime of Forty" unfolded.

This was an era of decline for the city, despite the promotion of the city to Episcopal seat in 1580. On July 30, 1627, a catastrophic earthquake almost razed the town to the ground and killed eight hundred inhabitants and an unspecified number of foreigners. Reconstruction was slow, and hindered by the plague epidemic of 1656 and 1657 (during which nearly three thousand people died). In the eighteenth century, the city was rebuilt with a markedly Baroque appearance. On April 16, 1797, Ferdinand IV visited San Severo and there he reviewed the Regina regiment. On April 25, Prince Francis I of the Two Sicilies and Queen Maria Carolina, came there to visit and attended a solemn mass in the cathedral. In February 1799, following a fierce reaction to the proclamation of the Jacobin republic, French troops, commanded by Generals Guillaume Philibert Duhesme and La Foret plundered the city with terrible violence. The victims, between citizens and soldiers, were about four hundred and fifty.

19th Century

Feudalism was abolished in 1806 and San Severo was the sixth largest city of the kingdom by number of inhabitants. It became the capital of one of the three districts and then sub-prefecture. In 1819, the ancient palace Decurionate inaugurated in the Teatro Real de Bourbon, the first Italian district and one of the first in the south. After the French occupation, the city became a key stronghold of the Carbonari, so that Giuseppe Mazzini long dreamed of making San Severo the starting point of the riots of 1820. In 1826, the monumental cemetery was opened. On May 18, 1847, Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies visited the city. The large public gardens were dedicated in 1854, while in 1858, there was the dedication of the Ferdinandea Civic Library.

In 1860, San Severo contributed many young people to increase the ranks of the anti Bourbon-militias, when Francis II was still on the throne, and was among the first cities to proclaim allegiance to the Kingdom of Italy and to hoist the tricolor Flag of Italy. On October 21 the same year, the Sanseveresi voted unanimously for a united Italy. From 1862 to 1864, during the riots, the city was the seat of the 49th Regiment unit, who distinguished itself in the suppression. After the unit built the railway station in 1863, and created the high school and technical schools in 1864, they also started two major bands, the "White" in 1879 and "Red" in 1883, who obtained several international awards.

Modern

On April 29, 1923, the Crown Prince Umberto I of Italy visited the city and inaugurated the school building "Principe di Piemonte". In 1929, the municipal sports field was inaugurated. On October 27, 1931, the Minister of Communications, Costanzo Ciano, dedicated the Ferrovie del Gargano, linking the station of San Severo to a number of places on the Gargano-Peschici line. On December 9, 1937, the curtain of the new Municipal theater was opened for the first time.

The San Severo Airfield in World War II

During the Second World War, on September 9, 1943, a group of Italian soldiers were involved in an episode of resistance, refusing to surrender to the Germans. By September 28, the Germans blew up the telephone exchange, the Casillo mill and several bridges, including that of the railway. During World War II, San Severo was the home of a US Airfield for the Fifteenth Air Force. P-51 fighters of the 31st Fighter Brigade lead armed escorts and support operations from San Severo on April 2, 1944 to March 3, 1945.

On March 23, 1950, San Severo workers rioted against police, raising barricades and storming the armory and the headquarters of the Italian Social Movement. The clashes caused one death and wounded forty civilians and soldiers and army tanks occupied the main streets of the city. In the following days, an armed insurrection was raised against the powers of the state; people were arrested, acquitted, and a year later released after the trial. Pope John Paul II visited the city on May 25, 1987. In 1996, by special decree, the President of the Republic, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, confirmed for San Severo the title of city, historically acquired in 1580, and the establishment of the Sanseveresi diocese. In 1999, at the Italian Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, San Severo was presented two bills (respectively 6472 and 4370) for the establishment of the province of San Severo, comprising 22 municipalities in Tavoliere delle Puglie north of Gargano and Subappennino Dauno. Between October 31 and November 2, 2002, a violent earthquake, known as the Molise earthquake, damaged many buildings in the old village and caused the closure of some of its historic churches.

Miracle of San Severino

According to legend, the apparition of St Severino has appeared to the relief of his city on two occasions. In 1522, along with the apparition of St Sebastian, he appeared to warn about a looming army of mercenaries. Six years later, his apparition is credited with driving away the imperial army. During the War of Lautrec, San Severo was besieged and seized by the French general, who then promptly died. The town now feared retribution by the imperial army, who were at the walls. In order to avoid a long siege, the imperial soldiers feigned a withdrawal, intending to storm the town by surprise the next night. Legend holds that when the imperial troops returned the next night, before the walls of San Severo, they came upon a huge army under the command of a knight holding a bright sword in his right hand and a red flag in his left, and fled in fear. The next morning some people, unaware of the miracle, found some of the imperials asleep near the monastery of San Bernardino. The soldiers told the events of the night before, and the people agreed that their patron saint, San Severino, had personally defended them. The people then found that the altar cloth in the church had large hoofprints, a sign of their saintly defenders.

On his feast day, each year, the town donates a hundred pounds of wax to the patron saint, proclaimed Defensor Patriae. From thence, the town's civic emblem is San Severino riding with a red flag in his right hand.

Etymology

The city derives its name from the patron saint San Severino, the owner of the church around which the castellum was formed. The original "Sanctus Severinus" appeared in seven papers written between 1116 and 1266. "Sanctus Severus", however, is first attested in a document dated 1134, also known only in dubious modern transcription. In some documents, the header is read in Latin with the original spelling and the one derived in the text in the vernacular; this suggests that the change is due to ancient agiotoponimo syncope, withdrawal common in the transition from Latin to Italian: Sanctus Severinus> Sanseverinus> Sansevero, especially since no saint named Severus was revered in the city before the end of the seventeenth century. Uncoincidentally, the official name "Sansevero" - acknowledging the uncommon variants San Severo and S. Severo - was always in the univerbata form.

In 1931 the municipality, at the request of the Ministry of Interior, officially adopted the spelling "San Severo", having been taken from the dictionary compiled by the United Town's Central Institute of Statistics (The situation is analogous to that of Sanremo). The change of the name was accepted with little to no resistance, so that today it is used almost universally. An exception is made by Trenitalia and the Autostrade, which represents the city by writing "S. Severe".

Main sights

On February 2, 2006, the town received recognition as an art city. The center retains its medieval labyrinthine street grids, and was once delimited by a perimeter wall punctuated by seven gates. The medieval town suffered from the earthquake of July 30, 1627. It is rich in Baroque palaces (including those of de Petris, del Sordo, de Lucretiis, Fraccacreta, Mascia, Recca, de Ambrosio, Pozzo, and Summantico). It had a number of monasteries, including three Benedictine monasteries (now the seat of the Court), a Celestine monastery (which became the town hall in 1813) and a Franciscans monastery (now the seat of the Municipal Library and Museum).

At the center of the town is the Romanesque church of San Severino, dedicated to the patron of the city. The cathedral, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, has undergone many reconstructions. The interior has a 12th-century baptismal font and paintings by eighteenth-century painters such as D'Elia, Primavera, and Solimena). The Church of San Giovanni Battista has paintings by Nicola Menzel. The cupola of the church of Santa Maria del Carmine was frescoed by Mario Borgoni.

San Lorenzo's Church.

The Teatro Comunale, dedicated to Verdi, is the largest theater building in Capitanata, premiered in 1937. It has a large public garden with century old avenues that converge on an artificial mound called Montagnella, and a platform with bronze statues and a large round stage for concerts. A number of small monuments are dispersed throughout the flower beds, including the marble bust (1837) of Matteo Tondi by Tito Angelini.

After the earthquake of 1627 and the gradual removal of walls, the town expanded with the creation of new districts. To contain the damage caused by frequent earthquakes, most of the buildings do not exceed two floors (and often were reduced to low ground floors and whitewashed gable roofs). The expansion of the city continued into the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.

Dialect

Because of its geographic location, San Severo has had direct contact for centuries with the dialects of Gargano, northern Apulia, Molise, and Campania. As a result, the Sanseverese dialect is overall very close to that of Naples. Among the various dialects of Apulia, it differs somewhat from that of nearby Foggia and has little relationship with that of the city of Bari. As an example, the sentence, "The dog bites the bottom," in standard Italian would be "Il cane morde lo straccione," whereas in Sanseverese it would be "U chen mòccëchë 'u straccet," and in the Foggian dialect it would be "U chen muccichèjë 'u stracce."

San Severo DOC

The Italian wine DOC around San Severo produces red, white and rose wines, as well as the occasional sparkling spumante. Grapes are limited to a harvest yield of 14 tonnes/ha throughout the 2,000 ha (5000 acre) production zone. The red and rose wines are made from 70-100% Montepulciano with Sangiovese permitted by up to 30%. The white and spumante wines are produced with 40-60% Bombino bianco, 40-60% Trebbiano and up to 20% Verdeca.

Events

Patronal feast

Procession of the Saints in San Severo

San Severo is famous for its yearly festival held on the third Sunday of May. Called "La Festa del Soccorso" (The Festival of Help/Aid), it is held in honor of the patron saints of San Severo, "La Madonna del Soccorso" (The Madonna of Help/Aid), Saint Severinus Abbot, and Saint Severus Bishop. During this festival, San Severo features nighttime and daytime fireworks in order to celebrate the Madonna; the daytime fireworks are a major attraction. Extremely loud firecracker chains are placed along the city streets. In many cases they extend for kilometers. A common practice is for young males to run along the firecrackers as they explode down the street (an analogue tradition, called "Correfoc", exists in Spain). These people are called "fuejentes" (people who enjoy running through the fireworks). For this reason San Severo is called "the city of fireworks".

Rituals for Good Friday

Among the many traditions are the rites of the Holy Week. At dawn on Good Friday, a procession starts simultaneously from the three churches. From the Church of the Pieta, the procession carries the eighteenth-century statue of Our Lady of Sorrows (confraternity of prayer and death); from the Trinity Church, the procession carries a wooden effigy of Christ bound to the column (Arch-confraternity of the rosary), and from the Church of St. Augustine a procession of hooded penitents carries the heavy cross of Simon of Cyrene on their shoulders (confraternity of help). The three sacred processions converge in the ancient Piazza del Castello, where the statues proceed towards each other, but the embrace of the Mother and the Son is blocked by the Cross, which arises suddenly between them.

Other religious holidays

Other festivals with processions include the Lady of Mount Carmel festival (July 16), San Rocco (August 16) and the Madonna del Rosario (the third Sunday in October), as well as the recurrence of Concetta, namely the Immaculate Conception (December 8). There are also the feasts of St. Lucy (December 13) and Saint Anthony Abbot (January 17), the latter with the historic blessing of the animals. The patron saints are, respectively, Severino and Severo, and are celebrated on September 25 and the Saturday before the fourth Sunday in October. Moreover, the solemn ceremony of the vote in San Severino is celebrated annually on January 8 by the Municipal Administration, during which it remembers the apparition of the patron saint.

Carnival

During the time of the annual carnival, it is customary to prepare awkward puppets that are arranged in comical sitting positions on small chairs by the doors of houses. On Shrove Tuesday, at dusk, the people celebrate the colorful "funeral" of the puppets, which ends with the burning of the puppets, which are sometimes stuffed with firecrackers. The city does not seem to have a real typical mask, however, a more widespread traditional outfit requires that men wear flashy clothes.

Wine festival

In recent years, the old Grape Festival celebrates one of the main products of the Sanseveresi, during the Feast of St. Martin, (or Festival of New Wine) which is held in the historic heart of the city for several days around November 11, with exhibition of local products, wine tasting and local cuisine and various cultural performances (concerts, exhibitions, folklore shows, etc.).

Culture

Museums, libraries and archives

Saint Augustine's Church

The preservation and promotion of artistic heritage, the city's books, and periodicals are the raison d'être of a number of important public and private institutions that promote the cultural development of San Severo and its surroundings.

  • The Museum of the Tavoliere (MAT) is set in an eighteenth-century Franciscan monastery, also known as Palazzo San Francesco. It retains a considerable archaeological heritage, with exhibits from the Paleolithic to the Middle Ages, and a gallery with works of the modern age.
    • Pinacoteca "Luigi Schingo" is a section of MAT, with headquarters in Palazzo San Francesco; it holds some works of the Sanseveresi artist Louis Schingo.
    • The community library "Alexander Minutia" is now located temporarily in the Palazzo San Francesco. The historic institution, originally called Ferdinandea, boasts a heritage of over ninety thousand volumes of books and a prestigious background of ancient writings, as well as many rare incunabula.
  • The Diocesan Museum contains sacred art, housed in the basement of the Palazzo del Seminario, with silver, vestments, and works of different eras. Among the most significant artifacts are a collection of medieval collection plates embossed with copper, and some medieval and Renaissance polychrome wooden statues.
  • A permanent display of carriages and finishes of the eighteenth century was built in 2007 on Viale Matteotti. It is part of the cultural initiatives promoted by the banking group BancApulia.
  • The "Father Benedetto Nardella" of Friars Minor Capuchin Library, housed in the seventeenth-century convent of Santa Maria of Constantinople, holds twenty thousand volumes on mysticism, spirituality, St. Pio of Pietrelcina, and patriotic history.
  • The "Happy Chir" economic-legal Library, made from BancApulia Gramsci, holds over fifty thousand texts and journals used frequently by students and scholars.
  • Historical Archives: The Municipal Library, contains a vast collection of documents on civil and administrative life of the city in modern and contemporary art.
  • Archival diocesan Trotta is housed in the Palace, near the Cathedral, and boasts a rich documentary of heritage, conservation, and a significant number of parchments and episcopal archives.
  • The Music Fund of the Benedictine monastery of San Lorenzo includes autographs of important Italian composers of the eighteenth century.

Exhibitions of various kinds (archeology, painting, photography etc.) are more or less regularly staged at the Museum, the Diocesan Museum and the Gallery of Modern Art in Palazzo San Lorenzo.

Theater and music

The city is home to three public theaters: the Decurionate (1750 ca.), the Real Bourbon (1819), and the Teatro Verdi (designed by Cesare Bazzani in 1937). Throughout each year, alongside a full season of concerts curated by the Friends of Music, performances such as Verdi operas, a series of shows of prose (in collaboration with the consortium Teatro Pubblico Pugliese) and evenings at the ballet are featured. Concerts of sacred music are held regularly in the churches of the historic center. The iconic Cantina D'Araprì features many music performances, including jazz shows.

Education

University

San Severo's University of Foggia has active courses in nursing, business, viticulture and enology (the science and technology of winemaking). At the former "Pascoli" school building a citadel that will host economics courses is under construction; these courses are currently held temporarily in the Istituto commercial Fraccacreta Angel, while courses on agriculture will be held at the Michele di Sangro Agricultural Institute.

Public schools

There are five primary schools, four middle schools, and eight high schools (the Gymnasium High School, Liceo Scientifico, Istituto Tecnico Agrario, Commercial Technical Institute, Institute Industrial Technical Professional Institute, Institute for Teaching and Technical Institute for Surveyors).

Media

The city has several different local newspapers (Il Corriere di San Severo, San Severo Il Giornale, La Gazzetta di San Severo, and the bell tower), and the broadcaster Tele Radio San Severo, which produces Sansevero television and radio broadcastings.

People

Letters and Science

Artists

Politicians

Musicians and singers

Sports

Bishops

  • Anthony, Bishop of Lucera in the fourteenth century
  • Sparano, Bishop of Venafro from 1306 to 1326
  • Giacomo Bruno, Bishop of Dragonara in the sixteenth century
  • Germanico Malaspina, Nuncio and Bishop of San Severo from 1583 to 1603
  • Francesco Antonio Sacchetti, Bishop of San Severo in 1635, and of Troy after 1650
  • Francesco Antonio Giannone, Bishop of Boiano from 1685 to 1707
  • Carlo de Ambrosio, Bishop of Larino from 1775 to 1785

Economy

Agriculture and typical products

San Severo is at the forefront in the world for the production and marketing of wine, but also produces large quantities of high quality grain, grapes, and olives. Large agricultural resources have generated a lively system of small and medium-sized industrial products grown and exported to international markets. In 1968 the Sanseveresi wine became the first in Apulia to obtain the Designation of Origin Control. The varieties are white San Severo, San Severo sparkling white, red, and Rosé San Severo.

San Severo is also noted for its production of Peranzana (Dauno) olives, which have received the Protected Designation of Origin designation (PDO). The Vase Sanseveresi is a centuries-old traditional method of pruning olive trees like inverted cones, with the focus on horizontal rather than height-based arrangement.

Transport

San Severo railway station is a relatively important station of the Adriatic railway, and is the western terminus of the San Severo–Peschici line.

The town is served by the A14 motorway Bologna-Taranto at the homonymous exit, and is crossed by the national highways SS16, SS89 and SS272.

Sports

San Severo is home to several different sports teams.

There are two basketball teams, currently active and playing on the parquet floor of Palasport "Falcone e Borsellino" (4000 seats). The Basketball Association, founded in 1966, boasts a notable list of players of the past, including the pivot Walter Magnifico. Its colors are yellow and black, but for fans of the team the standard color is simply black. The team plays in the Lega A2 event in 2010/2011. Another amateur club is the San Severo Marvin School club.

There are three city soccer teams. The historic U.S.D. San Severo, founded in 1922 (colors: yellow-grenade), competes at the Field Stadium. The Ricciardelli was recently renovated with synthetic grass. The other teams are GS Apocalypse, which was formed by Michele Pazienza, and Pol Sanseveresi, founded in 2008.

The men's team San Severo Volleyball and women's GS Intrepid Volleyball (colors: blue) play on the field of PalaMarconi.

Twin towns

San Severo is twinned with:

See also

References

  1. "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. Population data from Istat
  3. ^ Pilla, Umberto; Vittorio Russi (1984). San Severo nei secoli. San Severo: Dotoli. p. 9.
  4. Fonte: Biopuglia .
  5. ^ Carapezza, Francesco (2007). "Giacomo da Lentini". In Gaetana Marrone (ed.). Encyclopedia of Italian Literary Studies. Vol. 2. New York: Routledge. p. 834.
  6. ^ Cfr. Corteo storico Carlo V
  7. Lucchino, Antonio (1994). Michele Campanozzi (ed.). Memorie della Città di Sansevero e suoi avvenimenti per quanto si rileva negli anni prima del 1629. San Severo: Felice Miranda Editore. p. 31.
  8. ^ de Ambrosio, Francesco (1875). Memorie storiche della Città di Sansevero in Capitanata. Naples: de Angelis. p. 70.
  9. Una minuziosa cronaca del terremoto è contenuta nella coeva opera dello storiografo Antonio Lucchino ( Memorie della Città di Sansevero e suoi avvenimenti per quanto si rileva negli anni prima del 1629 cit.)
  10. Bicentenario dei moti rivoluzionari del 1799. Atti della Giornata di studio (San Severo, 3 dicembre 1999), San Severo, Archeoclub d'Italia, 2000.
  11. ^ Carmelo G. Severino, San Severo città di Puglia, Roma, Gangemi Editore, 2007, p. 150. 150
  12. ^ Cfr. Emanuele d'Angelo, San Severino, il Defensor Patriae, in San Severino Abate, patrono principale della città e diocesi di San Severo. Nel centenario della conferma del patronato, 1908-2008, San Severo, Parrocchia San Severino Abate - Pia Associazione San Severino Abate, 2008, pp. 27-29.
  13. Notiziario storico-archeologico del Centro di studi sanseveresi del dicembre 1975 (p. 63)
  14. Cfr. Attilio Littera - Ciro Pistillo, Grammatica del dialetto di San Severo, Apricena, Malatesta Editrice, 2006; Ciro Pistillo - Attilio Littera, Dizionario del dialetto di San Severo, Apricena, Malatesta Editrice, 2006.
  15. P. Saunders Wine Label Language pg 199 Firefly Books 2004 ISBN 1-55297-720-X
  16. Emanuele d'Angelo, I teatri pubblici di Sansevero dal Settecento ai giorni nostri. L'antica passione teatrale e musicale in un grande centro della Capitanata, «Fogli di periferia», XVII/1-2, 2005 (ma 2007), pp. 73-85.
  17. Fonti: Scheda sull'olio d'oliva, L'Ovicoltura marginale in Puglia
  18. Salvo Bordonaro - Bruno Pizzolante, La ferrovia garganica, Foggia, Claudio Grenzi Editore, 2006

External links

Apulia · Comuni of the Province of Foggia
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