Zapponeta
Zapponeta: between history, agriculture and tourism
Zapponeta is an Italian municipality located in the province of Foggia, in Puglia. Its name comes from the Latin "sappinus", which means "pinus halepensis", that is Aleppo pine, present on the sandy dune on which the first inhabited nucleus was built. This, along with juniper, gave rise to the suffix "-eta", which marks the plant names, as in the Italian word "pineta". The origins of the town date back to 1768, when Baron Michele Zezza favored the settlement of laborers on his estate by building them a first batch of houses and the church of Archangel Michael.
History
Until the early nineteenth century, Zapponeta was a hamlet of Barletta and then became part of Manfredonia until 1975 when it obtained administrative autonomy. Today, it has a population of just over 3300 inhabitants.
Society
The foreign population residing as of December 31, 2015, was 432 people, with the majority coming from Morocco, followed by Romania and Bulgaria. The presence of foreigners represents clear evidence of the social and cultural change in the area.
Economy
Zapponeta is mainly known for agriculture focused on the production of vegetables such as potatoes, onions, and carrots. The potato of Zapponeta was recognized by D.Lgs. 173/1998 as a traditional agri-food product of Puglia, accompanied by onion and carrot. In recent years, the agricultural sector has been accompanied by tourism, encouraged by the long beach in the area. This area extends from the wetland of the Salso Lake oasis, included in the Gargano National Park, to the Margherita di Savoia Salt Reserve Natural Reserve. The beach of Zapponeta is characterized by its dark sand due to the high presence of iron minerals, attracting tourists who appreciate the unique landscape and beauty of the area. The Zapponeta Lido has received the prestigious Blue Flag recognition, conferred by the Foundation for Environmental Education.
Administration
A table is presented with information on the administrations that have succeeded in the municipality.
Notes
The text does not provide additional information.
Related Voices
The section presents information on the Potato of Zapponeta, a traditional agri-food product of Puglia.
Other projects
The section does not provide additional information.
In summary, Zapponeta is a town with a strong focus on high-quality vegetable production, including the potato recognized as a traditional agri-food product of Puglia. The natural beauty of the area, thanks to the presence of a long and charming beach, has favored the development of tourism over the years, offering visitors a unique and unforgettable vacation experience.
