“It was born 20 years ago, on 15 June 2004, after long years of battles, the Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani. I remember with pleasure the commitment of the Barletta Provincial Fight Committee and of many Barlettans. They were commendable. Together with us they also became provinces (FM) e – (MB). A great achievement of self-determination for our Territory.”
With these words Mino Cannito, mayor of Barletta, celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the birth of the province under the acronym BT.
The province of Barletta – Andria – Trani, which saw the light twenty years ago, is unique in its kind. The only Italian province to have three capitals, strongly desired and pursued at the time by committees and political forces across the board, who hoped for more careful management of this territory. This area, also known as “Imperial Puglia”according to many it would have had more growth potential and would have enjoyed greater efficiency if administered jointly and in the name of territorial continuity.
A nickname earned on the field, in homage to Frederick II of Swabia who loved so much and left a legacy to these lands. A very rich territory, which includes Italian excellences of rare scope and unique peculiarities, despite the fact that there are three provinces with fewer municipalities in the country. From the very long coastline of Barletta to the largest European salt pans of Margherita di Savoia, passing through the liquid gold and dairy products of Andria and the enchanting whiteness of Trani which is reflected in the sea. And again the turquoise of the waters of Bisceglie and the ancient Daunian culture that survives in Trinitapoli: too much history, too much Puglia, for the great administrations of Bari and Foggiabusy with the problems and logistics of large cities.
However, the province was only made operational in 2009 with the first and only direct elections of the provincial council, which brought Francesco Ventola to the presidency, now a newly elected MEP in the last electoral round. Since 2014, new legislation provides that the choice and renewal of the provincial council takes place automatically following political negotiations, but since then, many have been fighting for a return to direct elections.
