Giovinazzo
Comune in Apulia, Italy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Giovinazzo (Barese: Scevenàzze) is a town, comune (municipality) and former bishopric within the Metropolitan City of Bari, Apulia region, southeastern Italy.
Giovinazzo | |
|---|---|
| Comune di Giovinazzo | |
View of Giovinazzo from the sea | |
 Coat of arms | |
  Giovinazzo Location of Giovinazzo in Italy  Giovinazzo Giovinazzo (Apulia) | |
| Coordinates: 41°11′N 16°40′E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Apulia |
| Metropolitan city | Bari (BA) |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Michele Sollecito |
| Area | |
• Total | 44.3 km2 (17.1 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 18 m (59 ft) |
| Population (31 December 2020)[2] | |
• Total | 19.537 |
| • Density | 0.441/km2 (1.14/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Giovinazzesi |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 70054 |
| Dialing code | 080 |
| Patron saint | St. Thomas |
| Saint day | July 3 Madonna di Corsignano |
| Website | Official website |
History
It was a small fortified centre of the Romans, who called it Natolium, possibly built on the ruins of the Peucete Netium which was destroyed during the Punic Wars.[3]
After the Byzantine period, it became a countship (later a duchy). It later became a flourishing commercial centre, that had trading connections with Venice.
Main sights
- The co-cathedral, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta (Mary's Assumption), built in the Norman period (1150–1180), in characteristic Apulian Romanesque style featuring Eastern and Western elements, consecrated in 1283 under bishop Giovanni II; under bishop Paolo De Mercurio (1731–1752) it got a thorough Baroque remodeling.
- Ducal Palace/Castle (the 17th century)
- Two columns of the Via Traiana, which however did not pass through the city.
People
- American actor John Turturro's father, Nicholas Turturro, emigrated to the United States from Giovinazzo in the first half of the 20th century.
- Raffaele Sollecito, falsely accused and incarcerated for the homicide of Meredith Kercher.
- Enzo Camporeale, pianist and composer
