Foggia

As Apulia's northernmost provincial capital, Foggia (198km/119 miles east of Naples) has a thriving, well-developed modern town centered on business and industry.

It was settled in pre-Roman days and was a favorite resting spot of Frederick II, but earthquakes, wars, and Allied bombs have left little of the old city standing.

Don't go out of your way to visit for the mediocre sights, but Foggia does make a central base for exploring the region.

Sights in Foggia

The Cattedrale, ,Coff Via Arpi on Piazza de Sanctis, has a split-personality facade with Romanesque blind arcading on the bottom half and a quite nice, vaguely Indian baroque top. The crypt preserves some interesting Romanesque capitals, but it's only open Thursdays and Sunday mornings. A gate to the facade's left leads to a carved medieval portal uncovered by World War II bombings. (tel. +39-088-177-3482, www.diocesifoggiabovino.it)

Up the street at the Museo Civico, on Via Arpi at Piazza Nigri (tel. +39-088-181-4042), you'll find exhibits on local archaeology, folklore, and a portal arch and inscription from Frederick II's destroyed palace. Admission is free; it's open Sunday to Friday 9am to 1pm and Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 5 to 7pm. It's a 15-minute walk from the station, or take bus 22 or 34 (or bus 8 or 9 from Piazza Cavour).

Tips & links

Useful links & resources

Visitor info:
Via Perrone 17
tel. +39-0881-723-141

How to get to Foggia

By Car: From Naples, take the A16 east to Candela, then SS655. There's an open parking lot to the right of the station that's guarded 24 hours a day.
By Train: There are 6 daily trains from Rome (4-5 hr.); TK daily trains from Naples (TK); and TK trains (TK on Sunday) from Salerno (TK). The train station (tel. 0881-727-234).