Orsara di Puglia
Orsara di Puglia is a small town and "comune" in the province of Foggia, Apulia, southern Italy. Named as "Orsara Dauno-Irpina" between 1861 and 1884, the town was part of the province of Avellino until 1927. History. The origins of Orsara date back to antiquity, as can be deduced from some archaeological findings that attest to the contacts with the Osci and the Irpini. In Roman times it was affected by the Second Punic War while the Via Traiana, a variant of the more ancient Via Appia, passed along the course of the Sannoro stream. In  the VIII century a community of Basilian monks settled there , dedicated to the cult of the archangel Michael, who was venerated in the cave that today takes his name. In the Middle Ages the town, named "Castrum Ursariae," was equipped with walls, which protected it from foreign incursions. During Norman times, the court of Ripalonga were in defense of the Via Francigena. The knights of Calavera settled here during the mid 1200s and early 1300s. Symbol. The coat of arms of the Municipality of Orsara di Puglia was granted by decree of the President of the Republic on 8 March  2006. Demographics. Dialect & Language. Alongside the Italian language, the Dauno-Irpino dialect is also spoken in the commune. Religion. Like most of Italy, the commune is largely Catholic. However there has been a large Waldensian presence, perhaps from Occitan people and American immigrants since 1900. A Waldensian church in the Saint Nicola parish was opened in 1934. Economy. The economy is essentially based on agriculture, with crops of wheat, broad beans, maize and sunflowers; there are poultry, sheep and goat farms. In recent years, food and wine tourism has had a strong boost, sealed by the recognition as a Slow  Food city in 2007. Festivals. The following are festivals celebrated in the town: