SAN SEVERO

city and episcopal see, Foggia provincia, Puglia (Apulia) regione, east-central Italy. It lies in the north of the Puglia Tableland, just north of Foggia city. A flourishing market centre in the 12th century, it was owned by a succession of feudal rulers before passing to the Kingdom of Naples and, in 1860, to the Kingdom of Italy. It was badly damaged by an earthquake in 1627, and little remains of the medieval city. There are several Baroque churches. San Severo is a commercial, industrial (mainly agricultural products), and communications centre for the surrounding region. Pop. (1987 est.) mun., 55,239.