The ‘Messapi’ people settled between the Adriatic and Ionian sea. The city of Ceglie Messapica (Kailia) became their military capital, while the city of Oria was their political capital. The Messapi fought long years of wars against the people from Taranto who wanted access to the Adriatic cost to improve their commerce and military influence. During the Messapi dominion the city prospered and extended remarkably, achieving a population of about 40.000 inhabitants.

Unfortunately, continuous wars against the neighbouring populations led Ceglie to decline and in 475 B.C. the armies from Taranto conquered Ceglie. In the centuries to come, Ceglie, like the rest of the region of Puglia, was easily conquered by the Roman Empire.

During the middle age Ceglie Messapica was ruled by different foreign populations and baronies, until the Sanseverino family who fortified the city and improved it artistically. Today, Ceglie Messapica is still dominated by the imposing bulk of the fortress which was planned by Sanseverino family and built between the 15th and 16th centuries on a previous building of Angevin age. In the walls planned in defence of the town there are the gate of Monterone, protected by a 15th century square tower, and the gate of Giuso probably dating back the 13th century.

In the 19th century Ceglie experienced a period of cultural and artistic development; the neoclassical churches of San Gioacchino and San Rocco, the town theatre, il Cimitero (cemetery) la Torre dell’Orologio (clock tower) are a remarkable evidence of this period.

Also to be mentioned is the church of the Madonna della Grotta, built in the 14th century
by the monks of San Basilio, which includes a Karst (limestone) cave with an image of Mary which is supposed to date to the 13th century, the Karst cave of San Michele where there is the most ancient image of Mary in the province, attributed to the 8th century.

Nowadays, Ceglie Messapica is an attractive small town, where almost of the economy is still
based on agriculture; mainly olive cultivation. As for the rest of the Itria Valley, tourism will be a major force for future development,. This has increased remarkably in recent years, attracting people from all over Europe, not only as visitors to this beautiful land but also as home-owners, staying for longer periods or relocating here to enjoy the quality of life

The following is an itinerary that will guide You through Ceglie Messapica to discover
its more remarkable historical, architectural and artistic sites.

01)Piazza Plebiscito (Torre dell’Orologio),
02)Via Dante Alighieri, Via Umberto (Chiesa di San Gioacchino), Porta Giuso,
Piazza Vecchia,Via P. Chirulli (Palazzo Allegretti),
03)Via Chiesa( Chiesa di S.M. Assunta e Castello), Piazza Elia, Piazza Plebiscito,
Via G. Garibaldi.
04) Piazza San’Antonio, Via San Rocco (Chiesa di San Rocco)

Glossary; a small dictionary to assist your walk through Ceglie Messapica

Piazza = Square
Torre dell’Orologio = Clock Tower
Via = Street
Chiesa = Church
Castello = Castle
Vico = Alley
Porta = Gate