Lesina, Apulia

Lesina is a small town in Italy. It is located in the province of Foggia, 57 km north of the provincial capital, and is part of the Gargano National Park. The place in the Capitanata counts 6327 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012). Districts are Marina di Lesina, Ripalta with the former Cistercian monastery and Torre Mileto. The neighboring municipalities are Apricena, Poggio Imperiale, San Paolo di Civitate, San Nicandro Garganico and Serracapriola.

In the saline lagoon Lago di Lesina eels are bred. The cathedral was built in the 12th century.

History

The Roman settlement Alexina (in the form Alesina is the name commonly used in the Middle Ages ) is detected mainly epigraphic. In Byzantine times, the place was big enough to serve the bishops of Lucera after the destruction of their city by Constans II as an alternate residence can. At the beginning of the 11th century also reside bishops of Lucera in Lesina. Whether it is a new need or an ongoing tradition that can not be found. Under the Lombard domination Alesina was initially the seat of a guest Alden, later a count. Since the eighth century, the monastery of Montecassino had possession of the territory of Lesina, which was also confirmed by Otto II in 981 Lucera. Some time later San Vincenzo al Volturno was equipped with possession. The Norman County is amply documented in the Catalogus baronum, the fief directory, which experienced its final editing under William II. Count Gottfried von Lesina also gave San Clemente a Casauria with a donation. From the Hohenstaufen Quaternus excadenciarum the royal Demanialbesitz is known, had been issued. From the time of Gregory IX. until the mid-16th century Lesina was an independent diocese.