Gioia del Colle
| Gioia del Colle | |
|---|---|
| Comune | |
| Comune di Gioia del Colle | |
 Gioia del Colle
|
|
| Coordinates: 40°48′N 16°56′E / 40.800°N 16.933°ECoordinates: 40°48′N 16°56′E / 40.800°N 16.933°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region |
 Apulia
|
| Province / Metropolitan city | Bari (BA) |
| Frazioni | Colonia Hanseniana, Corvello, La Torre, Casino Eramo e Marzagaglia, Monte Sannace, Montursi, Murgia, Santa Candida, Terzi, Villaggio Azzurro |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Donato Lucilla |
| Area | |
| • Total | 206.48 km2 (79.72 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 360 m (1,180 ft) |
| Population (1 January 2015) | |
| • Total | 27,923 |
| • Density | 140/km2 (350/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Gioiesi |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| Postal code | 70023 |
| Dialing code | 080 |
| Patron saint | Saint Philip Neri |
| Saint day | 26 May |
| Website | Official website |
Gioia del Colle (pronounced [ˈdʒɔːja del ˈkɔlle]) is a town and comune of the Metropolitan City of Bari, Apulia, southern Italy. The town is located on the Murge plateau at 360 metres (1,180 ft) above sea level.
The earliest evidence of human settlement in the area now known as Gioia del Colle dates back to the 7th century BC. Archaeological excavations have revealed that at that time a Peucetian village was located in the area of Monte Sannace, about 5 kilometres (3 mi) from Gioia).
The current town developed around an old Byzantine fortress. The placename, in fact, seems to derive from Joha, short for the surname Joannakis, a Byzantine family living in the area during the Middle Ages. However, there are many theories regarding the origin of this placename. One of the most famous local legends has it that Princess Bianca Lancia irretrievably lost all her jewels there, after being supposedly confined in the Castle of Gioia del Colle during her pregnancy with her son Manfred of Sicily under the suspicion of having been unfaithful to Frederick II.
The town grew further in the 12th century, during the time of Norman Count Richard of Hauteville, who built the castle. In the 13th century the fief was under the rule of Frederick II of Swabia, who rebuilt the castle.
Gioia del Colle was part of the principality of Taranto and a fief of the princes De Mari of Acquaviva delle Fonti until the abolition of feudalism.
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Wikipedia