Foggia
Discovering Foggia
Hello everyone! Today I will talk about Foggia, a beautiful city in southern Italy, located in the center of Tavoliere delle Puglie in the region of Puglia. With its 145,281 inhabitants, Foggia is the capital of the homonymous province. Despite having experienced the earthquake of 1731 and bombings during World War II, the city still preserves many testimonies of its past in the historic center.
Physical Geography
The Territory
Foggia is located in a flat area between the Celone stream and the Cervaro river, halfway between the Gulf of Manfredonia, the promontory of Gargano, and the mountains of Daunia. The altitude of the territory varies from 19 to 310 meters. The city lies on clayey soils and the town hall is located 76 meters above sea level.
The Climate
The climate of Foggia is Mediterranean but with a subcontinental tendency, as the city is located at a certain distance from the sea. This aspect favors seasonal and daily temperature excursions that can vary up to 20 degrees between day and night. During winter, in particular, night frosts can occur due to the low relative humidity and the phenomenon of thermal inversion. Precipitation is modest and distributed mainly between autumn and winter.
The Snow
Foggia averages 4/5 days of snow per year, but they are not abundant snowfalls. However, in the last 25 years, some particularly intense snowfalls have occurred, such as the one on December 15, 2007, with 20 centimeters of snow.
What to See in Foggia
Foggia is a city that has much to offer from an artistic and cultural point of view. In its historic center, there are several testimonies of the past, despite the damage suffered during World War II.
Foggia Cathedral
Foggia Cathedral is one of the most interesting places in the city. Its construction dates back to the 12th century and has undergone several restructuring interventions over time. Inside, there are frescoes and decorations that are worth admiring.
Foggia Castle
Foggia Castle, also known as Frederick II Castle, is one of the most important testimonies of the city's past. Its construction dates back to the 13th century and was commissioned by Emperor Frederick II of Swabia.
Foggia Civic Museum
The Foggia Civic Museum collects numerous archaeological artifacts and works of art. Among the works present inside the museum, you can admire frescoes, sculptures, ceramics, and ancient coins.
Municipal Villa
The Municipal Villa is one of the most frequented places by the locals. It is a large public park that covers an area of about 65,000 square meters. Inside, there is an artificial lake, benches, games for children, and a luminous fountain.
Giordano Theatre
The Giordano Theatre is another place of great cultural interest. Built at the end of the 19th century, it is considered one of the most important theaters in Puglia. Inside, shows of all kinds are held, from prose to music.
Gastronomy
Foggia's cuisine is very rich and tasty. Among the typical dishes of the local tradition, we can mention orecchiette with turnip tops, Apulian focaccia, eggplant in oil, and stuffed peppers. In addition, the Foggia area is famous for the production of typical products such as extra virgin olive oil and wine.
Conclusions
Foggia is a beautiful city that deserves to be visited. Its geographical position makes it a strategic place to visit other areas of Puglia such as Gargano and the Gulf of Manfredonia. The city offers many points of interest from a cultural and artistic point of view, but not only. Its cuisine is very tasty and will surely leave you with a great memory. If you have the opportunity to visit Foggia, do not miss it!
