Ugento
Ugento: a town full of beauty
Hello friends! Today I'm talking to you about Ugento, a town located in the lower Salento region of Puglia. With its 12,197 inhabitants, Ugento is a municipality rich in history and beauty, so much so that in 2008 it was recognized by the Puglia region as a city of art and a tourist destination.
Physical geography
Ugento is located on a modest hill at 108 meters above sea level and covers an area of 98.68 km². The municipal territory includes several hamlets, including Torre San Giovanni, Torre Mozza, Lido Marini, and Fontanelle. The coast, which stretches for about 12 km, is mainly sandy, with some rocks in certain points. The hinterland is characterized by lush nature, with Mediterranean scrubland, olive groves, and vineyards.
Territory
The territory of Ugento is very vast and diverse, with a large extent in the hinterland and a considerable presence of intensive crops, especially olives and grapes. Despite its large extension, urban areas are relatively small, which explains the not high population density. Ugento's soil is composed of alternating limestone, sandstone, and calcarenite, highly permeable soils inclined to erosion phenomena. The most important characteristic of the territory is the presence of hydraulic reclamation basins. In fact, the coastal area was characterized by the presence of vast marshy and unhealthy areas, which were reclaimed thanks to works begun in 1927. Currently, these areas are partly reforested with conifers and partly intended for agriculture.
History and culture
Ugento is a town rich in history and culture. The settlement is located on the site of ancient Ozan and preserves important archaeological evidence, such as the Ugento archaeological park, which includes Messapian, Roman, and Medieval areas. Furthermore, Ugento is the seat of the diocese of Ugento-Santa Maria di Leuca, with the cathedral dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta. The historic center is characterized by numerous churches and period palaces, including the Bishop's Palace and the Ayala-Valva Palace. Ugento also hosts the Archaeological Civic Museum, which preserves artifacts and evidence of local history.
Tourism
Ugento is a highly appreciated tourist destination, thanks to its natural and cultural beauties. Sea lovers can enjoy sandy beaches and numerous beach resorts, while history and archaeology enthusiasts can visit the archaeological park and the Civic Museum. Furthermore, Ugento is surrounded by other cities of art and tourist destinations, such as the splendid Otranto and Gallipoli.
Twinning with Arcugnano
Since November 14, 2018, Ugento has been officially twinned with Arcugnano, a municipality near Vicenza. This twinning aims to strengthen the ties between the two communities and promote cultural and tourist exchange.
In short, Ugento is a wonderful town that offers so much to discover and appreciate. If you have the opportunity to visit it, don't hesitate!
