TROIA
Troia would have been identified
with ancient Aecae, situated along the Via Appia (Appian Way)
route which linked Benevento to Foggia.
The City also has a mythological foundation concerning the
Greek hero Diomedes as well as the experience of being conquered
by the Carthaginian leader Hannibal after the victory at Canne
(Cannae) against the Romans. At the time, the City was called
Aika.
However, the old centre was almost in ruins due to numerous
wars which characterised the entire High Medieval period,
when Basilio Boioannes decided to rebuild the City by the
name of Troia (1019).
It immediately became an Episcopal Seat (1031) and important
religious centre linked to the Papal politics of Rome.
Troia opposed the arrival of the Normans, obligating Robert
Guiscard to make a pact with them.
Robert however, began construction of the Castle, the defensive
walls and the splendid Romanesque Cathedral of Troia (completed
in 1127).
In 1133, it was one of the cities hostile to Norman politics
and was destroyed by Ruggero II.
With the advent of the Swabians to power (1194), the contrast
between Papal and Imperial power heightened due to the laic
politics of Federick II. Italy was divided in two and Troia
radically accepted the Guelph side, linked to the Pope. This
cost the City besiegement, plunder and partial destruction
of its walls during 1229.
This period saw the presence of the Templar Knights who had
their own seat in Troia beginning from 1195.
The advent of the Angioini (1266) who descended in Italy after
being recalled by the Pope to vanquish the Swabians, brought
luck to the City and led Troia once more to a being a powerful
religious centre of Puglia.
Troia conserves a Romanesque gem of Puglia and Italy: the
Cathedral dedicated to the Assumption. It was built between
1096 and 1127 on a previous church dedicated to S. Maria.
One can visit the Diocesan Museum situated in front of the
Cathedral and admire Palazzo Vescovile (Episcopal Building
- 1777).
Another gem that Troia offers visitors is the S. Basilio Church,
of ancient foundation, which first appeared in a document
of 1087.
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