BITONTO

town and episcopal see, Bari province, Puglia (Apulia) region, southeastern Italy, just west-southwest of Bari. Many coins have been found at Bitonto dating from the 6th to the 3rd century BC. A Roman municipality (Butuntum, Botontum, and other forms), the town early became part of the Norman Kingdom of Naples. It is noted for its fine Romanesque cathedral (11751200) and also has remains of medieval walls built by the Normans and Angevins (House of Anjou), the church of S. Francesco d'Assisi, with a 1286 facade, and several Renaissance palaces, including the Palazzo Sylos Labini. Bitonto is the site of several agricultural institutes, and its economy is based primarily on wines, olives, and almonds. Pop. (1981 prelim.) mun., 49,616.