Villa Castelli
Welcome to Villa Castelli!
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about a beautiful location located in the province of Brindisi, in Puglia: Villa Castelli. Here, 9014 inhabitants live and it is a truly fantastic place for those who love nature and history.
Physical Geography
The Territory
Villa Castelli covers an area of 34.58 km² in the southwestern part of the Murge plateau between the Itria valley and Salento. Most of the town is located on hilly terrain and is surrounded by three hills: Fellone, Monte Scotano, and Monte Castello. These hills make up 85% of the area. The San Barbato Lamie and Pezza delle Monache Centrale districts are located in a flat area and cover the remaining 15% of the municipal territory.
Orography
The territory of Villa Castelli is predominantly hilly, with a small flat area. Most of the area is made up of Altamura limestone, with limited formations of Dolomite Limestone and deposits of calcareous sand. The area is classified as zone 4 (insignificant seismicity), so there are no particular risks regarding earthquake risk.
Speleology
In the Villa Castelli area, there are several natural caves, such as the Montescanto cave, the Facciasquata cave, and the Monte Fellone cave. The Montescotano cave, in particular, was used for religious rituals between the 3rd century BC and the 2nd century BC. The caves are definitely worth a visit if you are interested in speleology.
Hydrography
The most important watercourse originates from the source of the Antoglia hamlet, called Fonte Strabone, which gives rise to the Canale Reale. This watercourse winds for almost 40 km through the territories of the municipalities of Oria, Latiano, San Vito dei Normanni, and Carovigno before flowing into the Torre Guaceto oasis.
Biohabitat
The Gravina, a part of the Terra delle Gravine nature park, constitutes the municipal botanical garden. Here you can admire different species of Mediterranean plants.
Climate
The climate in Villa Castelli is Mediterranean, with mild winters and temperate summers. Generally, January is the coldest month of the year, but snowfall can also occur.
History
The village of Villa Castelli has ancient origins dating back to the Bronze Age. The area was inhabited since the Messapian era and later by the Romans and Byzantines. In the Middle Ages, the territory belonged to the Normans and then to the Knights of Malta. In the seventeenth century, Villa Castelli became part of the Kingdom of Naples.
What to see in Villa Castelli
In Villa Castelli, you can visit the Church of San Pietro Apostolo, located in the historic center of the village. The church has a Baroque structure and inside, you can admire valuable works of art. I also recommend visiting the Matrice Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, dating back to the fourteenth century. In the church, you can admire paintings from the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
Events and Traditions
During the year, several events and festivals take place in Villa Castelli. In August, there is the Orecchiette Festival, a celebration dedicated to homemade pasta. Also, in September, the Patron Saint Festival of San Rocco is held, where you can witness processions and fireworks displays.
Conclusions
Villa Castelli is a charming place that is definitely worth a visit. Here you can enjoy the beauty of nature and history, visiting the numerous caves, churches, and water sources in the area. Moreover, if you love good food, you cannot miss the Orecchiette Festival!
