The name's etymology remains uncertain however, as it could as well stem from "Phocaea", or possibly probably from the Medieval Greek word for "fire", which is "fotia", as according to legend the original settlers of the 11th century AD were peasants, allegedly after having [miraculously] discovered there a panel portraying the Madonna Nicopeia, on which three flames burnt.

[citation needed] The area had been settled since Neolithic times,[5][6] and later on a Daunian settlement known as Arpi (in Greek Argos Hippium or Ἀργόριππα) existed nearby, close to present-day Arpinova [it].

An anachronistic legend reported by Pliny claimed that the Daunian city had been founded by Diomedes following the Trojan War.

However the first document attesting to the existence of the modern city dates to 1100, in the papal bull of Pope Paschal II which mentions the church of Sancta Maria de Focis.

The area remained marshy and unhealthy until the late 11th century, when Robert Guiscard directed draining the wetland, boosting the economic and social growth of the city.

He elected the city "Regalis Sedes Inclita Imperialis", the preferred seat of the Empire, as we can now read on the entrance epigraph of the remains of the imperial palace.

It was also seat of his court and a studium, including notable figures such as the mathematician and scholar Michael Scot, but little of it remains now.

The historical lack of water resources was solved with the construction of the Apulian aqueduct in 1924, when Foggia was already an important hub between northern and southern Italy.

During World War II, Foggia was heavily bombed by the Allied air forces for its important airfields and marshalling yards.

Based out of Foggia, the British launched Operation Devon and succeeded in dislodging the Nazi German forces from Termoli.

Foggia is served by Gino Lisa Airport,[19] which offers direct flights operated with helicopters to ITremiti Islands and Vieste.