Our Blog - Southern Italy - Ceglie Messapica
The town of Ceglie Messapica is often overlooked by tourists since there aren't that many big tourist sites, but we decided to stop by for a few hours because this is one of the oldest towns in Puglia, dating back to the 15th century BC. Greek colonists arrived around 700 BC and built several sanctuaries dedicated to Apollo and Venus. However, the city declined and by the Middle Ages, it was no more than a small village with a little castle.
The Sanctuary of San Rocco was built on the highest point of a hill where legend had said that there was a pagan temple. The first information regarding the history of the building dates back to 1595, when a report indicated that there was a church dedicated to San Rocco built outside the walls. The facade is quite plain, as with many churches that we have seen on this trip. The interior also looks very similar to others, very clean with nice carvings. This one also has green marble columns around the alter. Finally, a nice statue dedicated to San Rocco.
The Clock Tower is located in Piazza Plebiscito and dates back to 1890. The neoclassical facades are decorated with geometric shapes and floral motifs. There is a set of stairs inside that goes to the top. Interestingly enough, each of the 4 sides has a door although only 1 is a real door and the other 3 are fake and there just to make them look the same. There are also 4 doors on the 2nd level where the balcony is (and these are all real doors).
The Ducal Castle was really not as impressive as we thought it would be, but I think part of it was because what little you could see of the interior had been totally redone and now was used for art exhibits. The original structure, dating back to the 1100's, consisted of the Norman Tower which is just beside the 15th century square tower, which is the traditional symbol of the city. You enter through the large portal where Tom is standing, which takes you into the courtyard. It does have a very nice grand staircase.
There are several former mansions dotting the historical center, including Palazzo Vitale. It was built in 1801 and the ground floor has what is called "ashlar" stone, where the stones are beveled on all 4 edges that are visible. It has some nice carvings still visible over the door.
There were three access doors to the medieval city, and this gate, Porta del Monterrone, was the access on the North side, for people coming from Martina Franca and Ostuni. There was this entrance, for carts and animals, and another one for pedestrians (you can just make out this one on the right, although it is now walled in). Both entrances are characterized by pointed arches.
