filbert: (corylus Avellana). A type of thick-husked hazelnut native to Europe. It receives its scientific name from the city of Avellino, where it has grown in abundance since ancient times.
Filetto (CH): A commune in the province of Chieti. Population: 1,065 (2006e).
Filiano (PZ): A commune in the province of Potenza.
Filicudi: an island of the Isole Eolie (Lipari Islands).
Filignano (IS): A commune in the province of Isernia. Population: 749 (2006e).
Filogaso (VV): A commune in the province of Vibo Valentia.
finocchieto selvatico: a fresh wild fennel herb found throughout much of southern Italy. It is widely used in Sicilian cuisine. The seeds of the mature herb, called semi di finocchio, are often used to top breads or flavor meats and sausages.
Firmo (CS): A commune in the province of Cosenza. Population: 2,416 (2006e).
Fisciano (SA): A commune in the province of Salerno.
Fiumara (RC): A commune in the province of Reggio Calabria.
Fiumedinisi (ME): A commune in the province of Messina. Population: 1,599 (2006e).
Fiumefreddo Bruzio >(CS): A commune in the province of Cosenza. Population: 3,239 (2006e).
Fiumefreddo di Sicilia (CT): A commune in the province of Catania. Population: 9,664 (2006e).
flabellum: a large, ivory fan formerly used as a mark of distinction carried before certain Roman Catholic prelates and officials: the Pope, the Grand Prior of the Knights of Malta, the Bishop of Troia (Apulia), and the Archbishop of Messina. These fans, with their peacock or ostrich feathers, were always used in pairs. Their origins date back to the courts of ancient Assyria, Babylonia and Egypt, and became part of Christian ecclesiastical paraphernalia during the 4th century. Use of the flabellum was restricted to the Popes during the 17th century and was finally discontinued in 1968 by Pope Paul VI.
Flora: An ancient Italian goddess of flowers and blooming plants. The Romans celebrated her festival, the Floralia, from April 28 to May 3. In 238 BC, a temple was dedicated to Flora at Rome.
Florentius: (fl. late 6th Century). Ecclesiastic. A subdeacon of Rome, he was elected bishop by the people of Naples but was undecided whether to accept or not. He finally chose to flee rather than make a decision. As a result, Pope Gregory I wrote (Dec 592) to Scholasticus, judge of Campania, to arrange a new election. Fortunatus was then elected to the see of Naples.
Floresta (ME): A commune in the province of Messina. Population: 577 (2006e).
Floridia (SR): A commune in the province of Siracusa.
Flumeri (AV): A commune in the province of Avellino. Population: 3,290 (2007e); 3,302 (2006e).
Foggia, Province of: A province in the region of Puglia. Area: 7,190 km². Population: 686,856 (2005).
Foggia: A city and provincial capital in Puglia. Population: 153,650 (2006e).
The city’s name may derive from a local dialect word meaning “granary.” This, in turn, derived from the Latin word fovea (= “pit”). This last word is related to another Latin verb fovere (= “to keep warm).”
Foggia-Bovino, Metropolitan Archdiocese of:
Suffragans: Cerignola–Ascoli Satriano, Lucera–Troia, Manfredonia–Vieste–San Giovanni Rotondo, San Severo.
History: Diocese of Foggia established on June 25, 1855. Promoted as a Metropolitan Archdiocese on May 30, 1979. Renamed as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Foggia–Bovino on September 30, 1986.
Foglianise (BN): A commune in the province of Benevento. Population: 3,548 (2007e); 3,567 (2006e).
Foiano de Val Fortore (BN): A commune in the province of Benevento. Population: 1,511 (2007e); 1,524 (2006e).
follis (diminutive folliculus): A type of soft ball invented in the mid-1st Century BC by Atticus of Naples, the paidotribes (physical trainer) for the exercises of Pompey the Great. Made of skin or bladder and inflated with air, it was considered appropriate for use by children or the elderly, and the most popular ball used in Roman times. According to the most common story, Atticus invented the follis ball for Pompey the Great while the general was recovering from a serious illness in Campania.