Itinerari: Puglia | Da Taranto a Lecce
extract from “IL MIO VINO” – september 2011
It is said, that Manduria is “the heart of Salento” and, at least from a geographical point of view, it is true. In fact, the Apulian town, home Messapian (its name may derive from Mandusi horse that Messapi – already present there in the eighth century BC – were skilled in raising and training) is about the same distance , about fifty kilometers from Brindisi, Taranto and Lecce, Salento overlooking the magical. The tracks are still there Messapian prominently in the form of huge walls, trenches and cemeteries.
The ancient city suffered harassment and Roman domination and destruction by the Saracens.
In the Middle Ages was largely rebuilt, and found himself with a different name, Casalnuovo, Manduria be returned only at the end of 1789, as a result of a decree of Ferdinand I of Bourbon, King of the Two Sicilies. The city has a fascinating and intricate old town with several churches and palaces of the ‘500 and ‘700. To see the Mother Church, the Imperial Palace, Palace Giannuzzi and the Jewish ghetto. Important are the Museum “Beyond the Walls” in the center, and the “Museum of Rural Life,” owned by the Wine Producers Association.
We started with Manduria because it is at the center, as well as the Salento, including our own route, which links with a few curves, Lecce Taranto … … … … … …
