Corato (Barese: Quaràte) is a town and comune in Italy. It is located in the Metropolitan City of Bari, Apulia, in southeastern Italy. Founded by the Normans, it became subject to Alfonso V, king of Aragon, at the end of the 15th century, and later to the Carafa family. The chief feature of the old town centre, which is surrounded by modern buildings, is the Romanesque church. It is a twin city of Grenoble, France, where many Coratini immigrated during the 20th century.

Corato
Comune
Comune di Corato
Town hall.
Coat of arms
Location of Corato
Corato Location of Corato in Italy Show map of Italy Corato Corato (Apulia) Show map of Apulia
Coordinates: 41°9′N 16°24′E
Country	Italy
Region	Apulia
Metropolitan city	Bari (BA)
Frazioni	Oasi di Nazareth
Government
• Mayor	Federico II
Area [1]
• Total	167 km2 (64 sq mi)
Elevation	232 m (761 ft)
Population  (30 September 2017)[2]
• Total	48,316
• Density	290/km2 (750/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Coratini
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	70033
Dialing code	080
Patron saint	St. Catald
Saint day	10 May
Website	Official website

History

Corato was founded in 1046 by Peter I of Trani, adding a castle, four angular towers, the perimetery enclosing walls, four access gates, and two main perpendicular streets. These elements, typical of a mediaeval town, were preserved until the 16th century. From the 17th century onwards Corato started to extend from all four sides of the Norman falling walls, and numerous churches and aristocratic palaces were built.

Today Corato is an agricultural and industrial centre of the hinterland of Bari, placed 43 kilometres (27 mi) west from it and at 232 metres (761 ft) above sea level. It is well known for the olive production: the Coratina olive's name comes from Corato.

On 12 July 2016, a head-on collision between two passenger trains occurred near Corato. At least 23 people were killed and dozens more injured.[3]

Main sights

• The town hall, built in the 16th century as a monastery.
• The Cathedral, Corato's oldest church, together with the San Vito church. It was built in the 12th century is Romanesque style. The portal features the statues of Jesus Christ, the Virgin and St. John the Baptist.
• De Mattis Palace (15th century). It has a stone with diamond point covering the first level of the palace. At the corner is Patroni Griffi's emblem, an aristocratic family which owned this palace. The emblem represents a griffon (Griffi's coat of arms ) and a hand which holds an anchor (Patroni's coat of arms).
• Catalano Palace, also from the 15th century.
• The museum, once a prison. It includes two sections, devoted to historical-archeological and anthropological findings respectively.

International relationships

Corato is twinned with:

• Grenoble, France[4]

References

Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article "Corato".

External links

• Official website

На других языках

[de] Corato

[es] Corato

[ru] Корато