Ceglie Messapica is in the province of Brindisi and is one of the most ancient settlements in Apulia; it rises in the part of Apulia called “Itria” Valley, homeland of trulli and olive tree groves. Ceglie Messapica develops on the soft hills of South Murge, surrounded by several sites of historical and cultural interest, such as Locorotondo, Martina Franca and Cisternino. Starting from the ’90, it boasts the title of art city and land of gastronomy and is recognized as the capital of traditional Apulian cooking. Ceglie, indeed, hosts the Med Cooking School, the international school of gastronomy and adopts a slow tourism that promotes contact with ancient traditions, nature, art and culture.
Sightseeing
Among the many historical evidences still present in the area known as Messapic threshold, that goes from the upland of Murge, to the level of Salento and in particular in Ceglie, different monuments and buildings of great touristic and cultural interest can be visited.
The Ducal Castle
It was built in the Norman age and was the first defensive structure of the old town and it is the real symbol of Ceglie. The castle was subjected – in the centuries – to many maintenance and restoring works that contributed to preserve it in excellent condition, in which can be admired nowadays. More than half of the Castle, indeed, is a public property and can be freely visited, except for the space not yet restored.
The Municipal Theater
Ceglie Messapica has always reserved a place of honor to Arts and Sciences, distinguishing itself in this sense in Apulia from the second half of the XX century. The Municipal Theater was built in 1872 and was inaugurated with the opera “ Un Ballo in Maschera”by Giuseppe Verdi and still now citizens are used to call it Verdi Theater. The building was completely modernized, but it is still possible to observe some original tracts of great historical value.
Santa Aurelia
The remains of the Virgin and Martyr Saint rest in the Church of the Passionist Fathers of Ceglie Messapica, inside a subterranean crypt, welcoming thousands of worshippers every day. The Saint was martyred at the age of 12 during the persecutions of the Emperor Valeriano because she defended herself and her faith.The citizens of Ceglie are very devoted to Santa Aurelia, in fact many women take her name, like many of the principal streets of the town.
Santa Maria dell’Assunta Collegiate
This church, known also with the name of Mother Church, was the only parish in Ceglie for long time. In the ancient time, it was built in Romanesque style and then was enlarged and restored. Still now it is possible to admire some original works and some statues dating back to previous ages, such as the wooden Crucified Christ of the XVI century and Christ coming out the Sepulchre, in polychrome stone.
Main Events
- Sant Antonio Feast, behind 13th June, the day of the liturgical feast of the Saint. Sant’Antonio and Plebiscito Squares, together with Garibaldi Avenue and San Rocco Street are decorated with artistic illuminations. In the sound box, installed for the occasion in Plebiscito Square, musical and band concerts are performed. The morning of the 13th of June, the band, who will accompany the evening procession, cross the central streets of the town playing celebration music. Once the band concert ends, the firework show starts and closes the celebrations.
- Sant’Anna Feast, behind the 26th July, the day of the liturgical feast of the Saint. The civil program consists of musical and band concerts and ends with the firework show. Sant’Antonio Square, San Rocco and Sant’Anna Streets are decorated with artistic illuminations. For the occasion, in Sant’Antonio Square is installed a sound box, where concerts are performed.
- San Rocco Feast, behind 16th August, the day of the liturgical feast of the Saint. Plebiscito and Sant’Antonio Squares, Garibaldi Avenue and San Rocco Streets are decorated with artistic illuminations. In the sound box, installed for the occasion in Plebiscito Square, band and musical concerts are performed. During the feast, balloons are thrown, flag throwers perform and the firework show ends the feast.
- Traditional Toy Festival in the old town, at the end of June
- Ceglie Food Festival, in August
- the Summer of Ceglie, in July and August
UNMISSABLE: the biscuit of ceglie, called in dialect “ Picquette”, rigorously handmade. This pastry is made of toasted almond paste and has the shape of an irregular little cube, filled with cherry, or grape jam and spiced with light citrus fruit aroma.