Casamassima

Casamassima (Barese: Casamàsseme) is a town and comune of 19,786 inhabitants in the Metropolitan City of Bari, in Apulia, southern Italy. Is also called "The Blue Town".

Casamassima
Comune
Comune di Casamassima
Location of Casamassima
Casamassima Location of Casamassima in Italy Show map of Italy Casamassima Casamassima (Apulia) Show map of Apulia
Coordinates: 40°57′N 16°55′E
Country	Italy
Region	Apulia
Metropolitan city	Bari (BA)
Government
• Mayor	Giuseppe Nitti
Area [1]
• Total	77 km2 (30 sq mi)
Elevation	223 m (732 ft)
Population  (31 December 2016)[2]
• Total	19,846
• Density	260/km2 (670/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Casamassimesi
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	70010
Dialing code	080
Patron saint	San Rocco
Saint day	Second Sunday in September
Website	Official website

The town is located inland from the Italian coastline, thrives and is built on agriculture, primarily that of wine, olives and almond production. Founded around the 7th and 8th centuries, the village started as a Roman encampment, according to legend. It was called the "Castrum Maximi" which developed into the word Casamassima.

In the old city there are walls dating well back into the early 10th century, although the first recorded document stating the presence of Casamassima is the Codice Diplomatico of 962. This dates the town to be from the Byzantium Era. Before that, however, it was probably under the control of lords from other feudal systems nearby, such as Acquaviva delle Fonti or Conversano.

In 1348 it was overtaken and destroyed by Hungary's army during their campaign upon the Kingdom of Naples. Casamassima tried to resist Hungarian armies, wanting to side with the Queen of Naples, but were not strong enough. Rutigliano surrendered at first glimpse of the Hungarian soldiers and cried out obedience, but the Casamassimese were determined to fight back. The Hungarians began their siege. The men of Casamassima gathered wood and other burnable items and lit the bell tower located in the square of Casamassima ablaze. After two days the tower began to crumble and many perished. Other cities, such as Bari, Palo del Colle, and Corato did not succumb because of their usage of fortifying walls and moats. Afterwards it was rebuilt, only to then be controlled by the Principality of Taranto under the Kingdom of Naples, which eventually fell to the House of Durazzo in 1394.