NARDO, a pretty populous town in the kingdom of Naples, and in the Terra d'Otranto, with the title
of a duchy and a bishop's see. E. Long. 18. 27. N. Lat. 43. 28. Nardus.
In this little city are 8000 inhabitants. The sceppe of its cathedral is built in a very uncommon but showy style of Gothic architecture. Luca Giordano and Solimani have adorned the church with some agreeable paintings. This place was part of the Balzo estate. The Aquavivas were the next possessors: they are thought to have come from the Marca di Ancona. In 1401, in consideration of their relationship to Pope Boniface IX. Laudissius erected their manor of Atri into a dukedom, an honour till then seldom granted to any but princes of the blood royal. Claudius Aquaviva, a famous general of the Jesuits, who died in 1615, was of this family.