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Manduria

Manduria
Comune
Comune di Manduria
Garibaldi Square in Manduria
Garibaldi Square in Manduria
Coat of arms of Manduria
Coat of arms
Manduria is located in Italy
Manduria
Manduria
Location of Manduria in Italy
Coordinates: 40°24′N 17°38′E / 40.400°N 17.633°E / 40.400; 17.633
Country Italy
Region Apulia
Province / Metropolitan city Taranto (TA)
Frazioni Uggiano Montefusco, San Pietro in Bevagna, Torre Colimena
Government
 • Mayor Robert Massafra
Area
 • Total 197 km2 (76 sq mi)
Elevation 79 m (259 ft)
Population (31 December 2013)
 • Total 31,721
 • Density 160/km2 (420/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Manduriani
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 74024
Dialing code 099
Patron saint St. Gregory the Great
Saint day September 3
Website Official website

Manduria is a city and comune of Apulia, Italy, in the province of Taranto. With c. 32,000 inhabitants (2013), it is located 35 kilometres (22 mi) east of Taranto, and 14 kilometres (9 mi) north of the coast.

It was an important stronghold of the Messapii against Taras. Archidamus III, king of Sparta, fell beneath its walls in 338 BC, while leading the army of the latter (Manduria is also referred to as "Mandonion" in works by the Greek and Roman historian Plutarch). Manduria revolted against Hannibal, but was taken in 209 BC.

Pliny the Elder mentions Manduria in Natural History. He describes a well with a strangely constant water level. No matter how much water was taken out the water level never changed. The well also features an almond tree growing right from the middle of the well shaft. The well may still be seen today.

The town was destroyed by the Saracens in the 10th century. The inhabitants rebuilt on the site of the present town, which they renamed Casalnuovo. In 1700 they took back the ancient name of Manduria.

The modern city is close to the site of the ancient Manduria, considerable remains of the defences of which can still be seen; they consisted of a double line of wall built of rectangular blocks of stone, without mortar, and with a broad ditch in front. Ancient tombs with gold ornaments were found in 1886.

The symbol of the city is a well with an almond tree growing from the center, which was mentioned by the Roman author Pliny the Elder in Naturalis Historia, a work published in the 1st century AD. The well (named Fonte Pliniano after Pliny the Elder ) can still be seen today exactly as it was described some 2,000 years ago, with the almond tree still rising out of the center. Other sights include:


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