Ceglie Messapica (source: Visual Puglia )
The municipality of Ceglie Messapica is halfway between Brindisi and Taranto, close to Ostuni and Martina Franca. It was founded by the Messapians in the pre-Roman period, but its history is controversial. According to Herodotus, the founder was Japige, king of Crete, who named it Kailìa, while other authors attribute the name to the Pelasgians, a people from the East, who built the city walls and called them Specchie. The temples of Apollo and Venus were famous as a pilgrimage destination. It was the military capital of Messapia and fought vicious commercial and political wars with nearby Taranto. Upon its decline it was subjugated first to the Romans and then in the medieval period to the Longobards, who gave it the name Geglie del Gualdo. Under the Spanish it became a centre of secondary importance. Later it was part of various baronages. For a time, it belonged to the Archbishops of Brindisi. When Count Sanseverino took it over, the castle and its walls were extended. A Collegiate church and a few convents were also built. During the Renaissance, it became part of the Kingdom of Italy, and saw a period of prosperity which made the construction of numerous works and monuments possible.
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In Brindisi province, stones and buildings tell the story of this land. Appia and Traiana roads once connecting the city to Rome left their traces on modern roads. In this city, where Virgil died, there are the remains of two II –century columns that marked the end of Appia road. The Norman – Swabian and Angevin marks also prevails in the inland area of province and former Messapi land, while it is even more evident in Mesagne, Oria and Ceglie Messàpica castles. In this area, natural landscape is characterized by ravines and caves shaped through centuries by the patient work of rivers. Rock witnesses of basilian monk civilizations can be found near Ostuni. Watch towers north of Brindisi tell the story of pirate and Saracen invasions, while the remains of ancient Egnazia Roman city can be seen in the respective archeological site.
Itria valley is characterized by a flourishing vegetation where olive trees stand, These are cultivated in masserie lands, small typical local stone fortresses. Coasts are marked by long, sandy beaches, dunes and protected natural reserves. There are several traces of old Messapi civilizations, rock settlements, castles and not-to-be-missed trulloes made with drystone techniques
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A proud, extremely loyal civilization, between the IX and VII centuries b.C. the Messapis built several settlements that were fortified with huge walls. Oria, with its characteristic castle, and Mesagne still keep witnesses that allow to reconstruct history, customs and habits of this ancient population
The coast of Brindisi area is characterized by small cities gathering around their historical centers, overlooking white beaches and crystal-clear waters. Brindisi is an example, with its huge castle emerging from the sea; Carovigno, dominated by Torre Guaceto and Ostuni, the white Mediterranean sea surrounded by olive trees and by a wonderful beach that hosts an unforgettable medieval center
Project created in collaboration with InnovaPuglia.
Regione Puglia
Regione Puglia