Francavilla al Mare

Francavilla al Mare
Comune
Comune di Francavilla al Mare
Coat of arms
Francavilla al Mare Location of Francavilla al Mare in Italy
Coordinates: 42°25′N 14°18′E / 42.417°N 14.300°E / 42.417; 14.300
Country	Italy
Region	Abruzzo
Province / Metropolitan city	Chieti (CH)
Frazioni	Arenaro, Castelvecchio, Cese, Cetti San Biagio, Coderuto, Fontechiaro, Foro, Michetti, Piane, Piane di Vallebona, Piattelli, Pretaro, Quercianotarrocco, San Giovanni, Santa Cecilia, Setteventi, Torre Ciarrapico, Valle Anzuca, Villanesi
Government
• Mayor	Antonio Luciani (PD)
Area
• Total	23 km2 (9 sq mi)
Elevation	3 m (10 ft)
Population (30 September 2012)
• Total	23,879
• Density	1,000/km2 (2,700/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Francavillesi
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	66023
Dialing code	085
Patron saint	San Franco
Saint day	18 August
Website	Official website

Francavilla a Mare (Italian: [ˌfraŋkaˈvilla a ˈmaːre]) is a comune and town in the Province of Chieti in the Abruzzo region of Italy.

The area was inhabited since prehistory, and early remains have been found at St. Cecilia. In 1162 the village was granted immunity from taxes for 12 years, and this episode also gave origin to the name "Francavilla" (meaning "free town").

The harbour was a flourishing commercial key point in the Adriatic Sea, but in the 16th century was plundered by Turkish troops. The town was held by families such as the Caracciolo and D'Avalos in the following centuries.

In the late 19th century Francavilla was already a well known seaside resort and the seat of an artistic literary circle with relevant figures as Francesco Paolo Michetti, Gabriele D'Annunzio, F.P. Tosti, who met at the "Conventino", in the former monastery of Santa Maria di Gesù.

In 1944 the center was destroyed by Americans and Nazi. Only Michetti convent is conserved between the city is totally built from new.

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Wikipedia