Termoli
| Termoli | ||
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| Comune | ||
| Comune di Termoli | ||
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 Termoli
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| Coordinates: 42°0′N 14°59′E / 42.000°N 14.983°E | ||
| Country | Italy | |
| Region | Molise | |
| Province / Metropolitan city | Campobasso (CB) | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Angelo Sbrocca | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 55.64 km2 (21.48 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 15 m (49 ft) | |
| Population (31 July 2010) | ||
| • Total | 32,774 | |
| • Density | 590/km2 (1,500/sq mi) | |
| Demonym(s) | Termolesi | |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
| Postal code | 86039 | |
| Dialing code | 0875 | |
| Patron saint |
Saint Bassus (Basso) Saint Timothy |
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| Saint day | 3 August | |
| Website | Official website | |
Termoli (Molisano: Térmle) is a town and comune (municipality) on the Adriatic coast of Italy, in the province of Campobasso, region of Molise. It has a population of around 32,000, having expanded quickly after World War II, and it is a local resort town known for its beaches and old fortifications. Once it was known only as a fishing port, but in the new millennium it is a favourite resort for Italian families.
Human settlements existed in Termoli since pre-historical times, as showed by the presence of ancient necropolises. The Romans patricians had villae in the nearby coast.
The first documentation of today's city dates to the presence of the ancestor of the current cathedral, documented in the 10th century. Termoli was a Lombard county until the arrival of the Normans, under which flourished and expanded. Later devastations meant a period of decay which lasted until around 1770, when the local nobles were permitted by the Kings of Naples to build new edifices along the coast and in direction of the countryside.
During World War II Termoli became the centre of one of the larger tank battles of the Italian campaign over the period October 2 to October 6, 1943. On the night of October 2/3, during Operation Devon, British Commandos of the 2nd Special Service Brigade, which comprised No. 3 (Army) Commando, 40 (Royal Marine) Commando and the Special Raiding Squadron landed by sea then cleared the town of most of its German defenders. During the first day these forces set up road blocks around the town and were joined by British infantry advancing across the Biferno river to the south-east. They were unaware that the 16th Panzer Division was on its way to create a new defensive line. On October 4 British reinforcements arrived by sea and land, but tanks were unable to cross the river until engineers completed a bridge for heavy traffic. On October 5 the panzers attacked, pushing much of the British line back in disarray. At the end of the day they were only a short distance from the town. However, further reinforcements arrived at the port, and the engineers completed their bridge allowing tanks to cross. On October 6 the Germans renewed their attack, but it soon stalled and the British, with Canadian tanks from the Three Rivers Regiment (12e Régiment blindé du Canada) in support, counter-attacked. They were successful and by October 7 the Germans were pulling back to their next line of defence.
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Wikipedia