The village lies in the province of Brindisi and is situated at 21 km south-east of the main town, at about 60 metres of altitude in the Land of Otranto. The name of Cellino San Marco comes from the quality of the olives and from the local population’s devotion to Saint Mark. Among the most important historical buildings, we recall the Castle, dating back to the XVI century, the parish church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Saint Mark the Evangelist’s Chapel. Furthermore, several tombs, amphoras, a Roman funeral stone (1869). These findings provide some evidence that the origin of the village dates back to the first Middle Ages.
The soil, somewhat stony and rather fertile, is appropriate for vineyards and olive groves, vegetables and citrus trees. For this reason, the social-economic development of the village focused on the creation of new techniques and more efficient installations to improve oil and wine production activities and to increase the offer.