History Lucera

lucera cathedral converted mosque during brief muslim settlement of lucera.

in 1224, holy roman emperor frederick ii, responding religious uprisings in sicily, expelled muslims island, transferring many lucera (lugêrah, known in arabic) on next 2 decades. in controlled environment, not challenge royal authority , benefited crown in taxes , military service. numbers reached between 15,000 , 20,000, leading lucera called lucaera saracenorum because represented last stronghold of islamic presence in italy. during peacetime, muslims in lucera predominantly farmers. grew durum wheat, barley, legumes, grapes , other fruits. muslims kept bees honey.

the colony thrived 75 years until sacked in 1300 christian forces under command of charles ii of naples. majority of city s muslim inhabitants slaughtered or – happened 10,000 of them – sold slavery, or exiled, many finding asylum in albania across adriatic sea. abandoned mosques demolished, , churches built in place, including cathedral of s. maria della vittoria.

after muslims removed lucera, charles tried settle christians in city. muslims converted christianity got part of property back, none restored former position of political or economic influence. time progressed, grain production fell in city, , in 1339 city hit famine. christians allowed farm muslims.

hohenstaufen castle.



amphitheatre of lucera.