Foligno | ||
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Comune | ||
Città di Foligno | ||
Church of Santa Maria Infraportas
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Location of Foligno in Italy | ||
Coordinates: 42°57′N 12°42′E / 42.950°N 12.700°ECoordinates: 42°57′N 12°42′E / 42.950°N 12.700°E | ||
Country | Italy | |
Region | Umbria | |
Province / Metropolitan city | Perugia (PG) | |
Frazioni | See list | |
Government | ||
• Mayor | Nando Mismetti | |
Area | ||
• Total | 263 km2 (102 sq mi) | |
Elevation | 234 m (768 ft) | |
Population (31 May 2008) | ||
• Total | 56,688 | |
• Density | 220/km2 (560/sq mi) | |
Demonym(s) | Folignati or Fulginati | |
Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
• Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
Postal code | 06034, 06030, 06037 | |
Dialing code | 0742 | |
Patron saint | St. Felicianus Martyr | |
Saint day | January 24 | |
Website | Official website |
Foligno [foˈliɲɲo] is an ancient town of Italy in the province of Perugia in east central Umbria, on the Topino river where it leaves the Apennines and enters the wide plain of the Clitunno river system. It is located 40 kilometres (25 miles) south-east of Perugia, 10 km (6 mi) north-north-west of Trevi and 6 km (4 mi) south of Spello.
Foligno railway station forms part of the main line from Rome to Ancona, and is the junction for Perugia; it is thus an important rail centre, with repair and maintenance yards for the trains of central Italy, and was therefore subjected to severe Allied aerial bombing in World War II, responsible for its relatively modern aspect, although it retains some medieval monuments. Of its Roman past no significant trace remains, with the exception of the regular street plan of the centre. Other resources include sugar refineries and metallurgical, textile, building materials and paper and timber industries. After the war, the city's position in the plain and again its rail connections have led to a considerable suburban spread with the attendant problems of traffic and air pollution, as well as a severe encroachment on the Umbrian wetlands. Foligno is on an important interchange road junction in central Italy and 2 km (1 mi) away from the centre of the city there is the Foligno Airport.
Foligno seems to have been founded by Umbrians in the pre-Roman period (probably 8th century BC). It was conquered by the Romans after the Battle of Sentinum in 295 BC, receiving the name of Fulginiae from the ancient cult of the goddess Fulginia. In the classic Roman age the city acquired importance first as a municipium, later as the seat of a prefecture and finally as a Statio principalis of road traffic along the ancient Via Flaminia.