Ceglie Messapica
Ceglie Messapica: an art city and land of gastronomy
Ceglie Messapica is an Italian municipality in the province of Brindisi in Puglia, with a population of approximately 18,664 inhabitants, known as an art city and land of gastronomy. The municipality is located in a hilly area bordering the Salento plain, a unique position that makes it remarkable for the natural beauty that surrounds it.
Physical geography
Territory
The territory of Ceglie Messapica is characterized by the presence of trulli, ancient farmhouses, ancient olive groves, and karst caves. The city extends for about 40 kilometers in the southern part of the Murgia plateau, between the Itria Valley and Salento. Ceglie Messapica is 45 kilometers away from Brindisi and 25 kilometers from Taranto. The municipality borders Ostuni, Martina Franca, Villa Castelli, Francavilla Fontana, and San Michele Salentino.
Orography
The municipal territory of Ceglie Messapica is divided into two areas: a hilly area to the northwest of the town, characterized by gentle hills and numerous trulli, and the other declining towards the Salento plain. The historical center of the city is located on one of the hills, at an altitude of 298 meters above sea level. The limestone rocks of the territory are covered in places by thin layers of "Terra rossa," located in the most depressed areas, such as dolines and the beds of the main erosive gullies.
Caves
In the territory of Ceglie Messapica, there are 53 caves, quarries, and vertical fractures called "capivienti" or "vole" by the farmers. These caves have great landscape, environmental, naturalistic, and historical-archaeological value. Many of these caves were already the seat of human settlements in prehistoric times. The most famous are the Crypt of San Michele, the Crypt of the Madonna della Grotta, the Grotta Abbondanza, the Grotta Masseria Iazzo, the Grotta del Frantoio, and the Grotta San Pietro.
The gastronomy of Ceglie Messapica
Ceglie Messapica is also known as a city of gastronomy, thanks to its ancient culinary tradition. Typical products of the area include olives, wine, cheese, meat, and fresh fish. Moreover, the city is famous for its handmade orecchiette pasta, focaccia, and taralli. The cuisine of Ceglie Messapica is based on simple but tasty dishes, prepared with fresh and quality ingredients, such as caciocavallo podolico cheese.
What to see in Ceglie Messapica
Ceglie Messapica is an art city, rich in monuments and suggestive places. Among the main points of interest, there are the Church of San Giovanni Battista, the Matrice Church, the Castle, the Church and Convent of the Dominicans, the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Grotta, and the Archaeological Museum. The historical center has been recently restored and now represents one of the most beautiful and fascinating in Puglia.
Events and festivals
Ceglie Messapica is animated by numerous cultural events and festivals throughout the year. Among the most important ones are the Festival of the Madonna della Grotta (celebrated every year on August 15th), the Grape and Wine Festival (in September), the Fair of San Rocco (in May), and the festival of Santa Rita da Cascia (in May). Moreover, the city is famous for its Carnival, which attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Conclusions
Ceglie Messapica is an art city and land of gastronomy that offers its visitors a unique combination of natural beauty, art, history, and culinary tradition. The city, with its trulli and karst caves, represents one of the last southern remnants of the Murgia. Moreover, its culinary tradition is famous throughout Puglia and beyond. Those who visit Ceglie Messapica will not be disappointed by the beauty of the territory and the liveliness of the city.
