Nociglia
Let's discover Nociglia, a Salento town with 2177 inhabitants!
If you are looking for a small town to spend a few days discovering the beauty of Salento, then Nociglia might be the right destination for you. This town is located in the province of Lecce, in the southernmost part of the Salento peninsula, and is part of the Union of Middle Lands. Nociglia has a population of 2177 inhabitants and is located about 10 km from the Adriatic Sea. But what is it exactly? Let's find out together!
Physical Geography
Territory
The territory of Nociglia is quite varied and extends over a hill of the Salento mountains, at an altitude ranging from 82 to 114 meters above sea level. The boundaries of the municipality are delimited by other municipalities of lower Salento: to the north we find San Cassiano, to the east Poggiardo and Surano, to the south Montesano Salentino, and to the west Supersano. The municipality is classified as zone 4 regarding seismicity, which means that the risk of earthquakes is very low.
Climate
As already mentioned, Nociglia has the typical characteristics of the Mediterranean climate, with winters tending to be mild and summers hot and humid. The average temperature in January is around 9.2 degrees Celsius, while that of August reaches 38.2 degrees: as you can see, the temperature variations are quite wide. Rainfall is concentrated mainly in autumn and winter, although the climate of lower Salento is generally quite dry.
Origin of the name
The name Nociglia derives from the Latin "nux"-"nucis", meaning walnut. This is probably due to the presence of numerous walnut groves in the area in the past.
History
As with many other municipalities in the province of Lecce, the history of Nociglia dates back to the times of Magna Graecia, when the territories of Messapia were invaded by the Roman army. It was during that period that the local population took refuge in the area of Bosco Belvedere to escape enemy attacks. At the end of the danger, some of the people returned to their abandoned villages, while others decided to stay on the hills of Nociglia thanks to the properties of the place: the possibility of grazing animals, hunting, and collecting fruits. Thanks to these people, Nociglia was founded and became a populated center.
Today, the municipality has several points of historical and cultural interest, such as the Mother Church and the castle, but also the remains of ancient farms and dry stone walls that dot the surrounding area.
Conclusions
In summary, Nociglia is a small municipality in the province of Lecce that offers a lot to nature and history lovers. Its hills, walnut plantations, Mediterranean climate, and relaxed atmosphere can really make the difference for an unforgettable vacation. If you are looking for a destination away from the chaos of big cities, Nociglia could be the ideal solution for you!
