Francavilla Fontana is a town and comune (municipality) in the province of Brindisi (Puglia, southern Italy). And it's also called "Imperiali Town" after the feudal lords that ruled the town from the end of 16th to 18th century. Francavilla is located in the Altosalento, on the last Murge's hills, and it is equidistant (about 35 km) from Taranto and Brindisi. The name Francavilla has French-Norman origins: "Franca" (tax-free) and "villa" (town). The specification Fontana ("fountain") alludes to a vision of the Virgin Mary witnessed by a Prince, who hence declaring the town a tax-free haven, according to the local legend. This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press (Italian)