Canosa

Canosa, officially Canosa di Puglia, is a town and comune in southern Italy. It is in the Apulia region, within the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, and sits inland near the Ofanto River in northern Apulia.

The area has a long history of settlement, with evidence of pre-Roman and Italic cultures. In classical times the site was known as Canusium, a prominent ancient city that left a substantial Roman and early medieval imprint. Archaeological remains from Greek, Roman, and medieval periods—along with a large necropolis—are preserved in the local park and in the civic museum, illustrating Canusium’s role as a regional center of trade and governance.

Throughout the Middle Ages Canosa remained an ecclesiastical and administrative center, and later developed as a market town with fortifications and religious buildings that still define the historic core. The town’s heritage reflects layers of Roman, medieval, and later urban development.

Today the town has a diversified economy based on agriculture, light industry, and services. It is connected by road and rail; the Canosa di Puglia railway station lies on the Bari–Taranto line, providing access to Bari, Barletta, Taranto, and other destinations. The population is in the tens of thousands, reflecting its status as a regional center with a notable archaeological and historical profile.