Francavilla al Mare

Francavilla al Mare
Comune
Comune di Francavilla al Mare

Coat of arms

Francavilla within the Province of Chieti
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; 14.300Coordinates: 42°25′N 14°18′E / 42.417°N 14.300°E / 42.417; 14.300
Country Italy
Region Abruzzo
Province 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
Area
 • Total 23.09 km2 (8.92 sq mi)
Elevation 19 m (62 ft)
Population (31 March 2018)[1]
 • Total 25,725
 • Density 1,100/km2 (2,900/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Francavillesi
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Patron saint St. Frank and St. Liberata
Saint day 18 August
Website Official website
Church of San Rocco.

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

The municipality, included in the urban area of Pescara, borders with Chieti, Miglianico, Ortona, Pescara, Ripa Teatina, San Giovanni Teatino and Torrevecchia Teatina.[2]

History

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.

Main sights

  • Michetti Convent
  • Michetti Museum
  • Church of Santa Maria Maggiore
  • Sirena Palace

Sport

The local football club is the A.S.D. Francavilla, founded in 1927, that has its home ground in Valle Anzuca Stadium.

People

References

  1. ↑ All demographics and other statistics from the Italian statistical institute (Istat)
  2. ↑ 41997 Francavilla al Mare on OpenStreetMap
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