San Vito dei Normanni (source: Visual Puglia )
San Vito dei Normanni, a town with a prevalently agricultural economy, is characterised by the large vineyards that alternate to century-old almond and olive groves in a mosaic of land plots outlined and separated by long and low dry-stone walls. Bordered by the municipal territories of Brindisi, Francavilla Fontana and Ostuni, San Vito dei Normanni is told to have been founded toward the end of the X century by the Swabian colony of the Schiavoni, which settled in the territory that was then called “Castri Sancti Viti”. But according to other historians, the place was first settled by the Norman Bohemund of Altavilla, the son of Robert Guiscard, who loved hunting very much and, for this reason, had ordered the construction of a square tower in this place full of woods and game to hunt. The small village grew in the final Middle Ages period when the protection ensured by the Norman tower attracted the inhabitants from the surrounding countryside, who massively transferred to San Vito to be protected from the Turks’ assaults. However, it was only in the year 1400 that the ancient village was organised into a Municipality, bound to feudal slavery and under the King’s protection. Starting from the XV century, the village extended northward and, after the construction of the Church of Saint Mary of the Victory (1571-1595), also eastward. On April 14, 1994, a Decree of the President of the Republic established the Municipality of San Vito dei Normanni, with the title of Città.
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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