Corato

Corato
Comune
Comune di Corato
Town hall.
Coat of arms of Corato
Coat of arms
Corato
Location of Corato in Italy
Coordinates: 41°9′N 16°24′E / 41.150°N 16.400°E / 41.150; 16.400
Country Italy
Region  Apulia
Metropolitan city Bari (BA)
Frazioni Oasi di Nazareth
Government
 • Mayor Massimo Mazzilli
Area
 • Total 167 km2 (64 sq mi)
Elevation 232 m (761 ft)
Population (30 September 2017)[1]
 • Total 48,316
 • Density 290/km2 (750/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Coratini
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code 70033
Dialing code 080
Patron saint St. Catald
Saint day 10 May
Website Official website

Corato (Barese: Quaràte) is a town and comune in Italy. It is located in the Metropolitan City of Bari, Apulia, in southeastern Italy. Founded by the Normans, it became subject to Alfonso V, king of Aragon, at the end of the 15th century, and later to the Carafa family. The chief feature of the old town centre, which is surrounded by modern buildings, is the Romanesque church. It is a twin city of Grenoble, France, where many Coratini immigrated during the 20th century.

History

Corato was founded in 1046 by Peter I of Trani, adding a castle, four angular towers, the perimetery enclosing walls, four access gates, and two main perpendicular streets. These elements, typical of a mediaeval town, were preserved until the 16th century. From the 17th century onwards Corato started to extend from all four sides of the Norman falling walls, and numerous churches and aristocratic palaces were built.

Today Corato is an agricultural and industrial centre of the hinterland of Bari, placed 43 kilometres (27 mi) west from it and at 232 metres (761 ft) above sea level. It is well known for the olive production: the Coratina olive's name comes from Corato.

On 12 July 2016, a head-on collision between two passenger trains occurred near Corato. At least 23 people were killed and dozens more injured.[2]

Main sights

  • The town hall, built in the 16th century as a monastery.
  • The Cathedral, Corato's oldest church, together with the San Vito church. It was built in the 12th century is Romanesque style. The portal features the statues of Jesus Christ, the Virgin and St. John the Baptist.
  • De Mattis Palace (15th century). It has a stone with diamond point covering the first level of the palace. At the corner is Patroni Griffi's emblem, an aristocratic family which owned this palace. The emblem represents a griffon (Griffi's coat of arms ) and a hand which holds an anchor (Patroni's coat of arms).
  • Catalano Palace, also from the 15th century.
  • The museum, once a prison. It includes two sections, devoted to historical-archeological and anthropological findings respectively.

International relationships

Corato is twinned with:

References

  1. ↑ Population from ISTAT
  2. ↑ "Italy train crash: 'Twelve killed' near Bari". BBC News Online. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  3. ↑ Jérôme Steffenino, Marguerite Masson. "Ville de Grenoble –Coopérations et villes jumelles". Grenoble.fr. Retrieved 16 May 2013.


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