Oria (source: Visual Puglia )
Oria, in the province of Brindisi, is located in the northernmost part of the Salento, halfway between Taranto and Brindisi, almost sought-after by the two seas which surround Apulia. A very important tourism center, the city boasts very ancient origins: according to Herodotus a group of Cretans from Minos founded Oria in 1200 BC, when they were shipwrecked on Ionian beaches during a storm and later moved to the highlands in the interior. The city was a Roman municipium and later under the Greeks, Longobards and Byzantines, becoming the theatre of many battles and undergoing sieges and attacks. At the beginning of the 13th century, the emperor Fredrick II declared the city state property and began massive fortification work which culminated with the construction of a castle in the highest part of the city. In 1572 the feud of Oria became the property of San Carlo Borromeo. Later a slow decline started which had the worst consequences in the historical part of the city which slowly fell into ruins. Subsequent restoration work brought the city back to its old splendour.
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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