Ceglie Messapica
Ceglie Messapica is a wonderful name for an extremely fascinating town in the western extremes of the province of Brindisi.
 The Ceglie betrays its ancient Roman past, coming from the Latin Caelia or Caelium meaning heavenly and a popular girl's name.
It is also the name of the old part of town and even mentioned by Pliny.
Messapica is a reference to the stone walls dating from the Messapic era which are still visible.
We are talking the 7th to 5th century BC when a migration from Ilyria, present-day Croatia, Montenegro and Albania, brought the Messapian culture and language to Puglia.
The town was the military, political and religious capital of the Messapic state in conflict with Taranto, eventually being completely destroyed by its enemy..
Start your discovery of today's Ceglie Messapica from the tower of the castle of the Duke of Sanseverino.
Nearby is the Collegiata dell'Assunta church (16th-18th century AD) with its white enamelled dome.
Passing through the gateways of Giuso or Monterroni you will arrive at the medieval part of the town, a fine collection of piazzas, arches, doorways and heraldic emblems.
The San Rocco Sanctuary, Clock Tower (pictured) and the Emilio Notte Art Gallery are all worth seeing.
Here you will also find the so called '100 steps' and further remains of the ancient city of Messapia. They lead to the walls.
Around Ceglie is the 13th century Church of Santa Maria della Grotta with its 8th century crypt, the caves of Montevicoli, various farmhouses and the 'specchie', enigmatic piles fo stones from the Massapic era, probably watchtowers.
At Christmas, the grotto of Montevicoli is also the setting for the Living Presepe.
Do visit the Museum of the Trullo Civilisation in a rural complex dating from 1792.
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