San Severo is a city in Apulia, Italy, in the province of Foggia.

San Severo lies at the foot of the spurs of Monte Gargano. It is the see of a bishop (since 1580), and has some remains of its old fortifications.

Contents 1 History 2 Main sights 3 Notable people 4 External links 5 References

[edit] History

San Severo appeared in the 11th century around a small church founded by Benedictines from Monte Cassino. It developed quickly as a market town.

In 1053 was the scene of a victory by Robert Guiscard over the papal troops under Leo IX (see battle of Civitate). After having rebelled aainst royal authority, it was laid in ruins by Emperor Frederick II in 1233, and was ceded to the Templars. Later it was a royal city, and seat of the governor of the Capitanata and Molise province. In 1579, having decayed, ti was sold to the princes of Sangro.

In 1799 the town was taken by the French and again almost entirely destroyed. The overlordship was held in succession by the Benedictines of the abbey of Torre Maggiore, the Knights Templars, the crown of Naples and the Sangro family (commendatories of Torre Maggiore).

In 1627, 1828 and 1851 the town suffered from earthquakes.

During the Second World War San Severo was the location of a major U.S. airbase of the Fifteenth Air Force. P-51 fighters of the 31st Fighter Group conducted escort and combat support operations from San Severo from April 2, 1944 to March 3, 1945.

[edit] Main sights

• Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, now in Baroque style, housing a precious 12th century baptismal font.
• Chiesa Matrice di San Severino (Mother Church), which has maintained part of the Romanesque exterior.
• Bishops' Palace.
• Palazzo del Seminario (17th century).

[edit] Notable people

Raimondo di Sangro (1719–1771), the erudite, eccentric and controversial free-thinker and inventor, was a prince of San Severo.

[edit] External links

• Travel post listing of cities called San Severo
• Short description of San Severo (Foggia-Apulia-Italy)

[edit] References

• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.

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