Beauty and mysteries of Oria and Mesagne
Description
A tour in the medieval hamlet of Oria awarded with the Orange Flag by the Italian Touring Club: a recognition for the quality of tourism and the environment in small inland towns. The guided visit will be a tour through centuries of history of Oria: from the Messapian (a pre roman population) archaecological sites to the Swabian castle of Frederick II (at the moment it’s only possible to see the exterior of the castle and, with a special opening permission thas has to be requested in advance, also the interior), the churches and the historic palaces with Renaissance and Baroque style.
In particular we will visit the ancient gates of the hamlet, the Jewish area, the Cathedral, the exterior of the bishop palace, the astonishing crypt with the mummies.
During the visit we will breath the scent of myths and legends about Oria, we will enjoy a wonderful panorama overlooking the countryside and the picturesque whitewashed houses of this medieval hamlet.
The itinerary continues with another city located along the ancient Appian Way: Mesagne and its heart-shaped historic city center with some interesting baroque churches (the Parish Church, S. Anna, etc.), the old gates of the city, the archaeological site with findings dating back to the Iron-Age and to the Messapian (a pre-roman civilization) times. Last but not least the Norman-Swabian castle with the underground olive oil cisterns and prisons, the old tower, the residential part, the archeological musem with Messapian findings.
It’s also possible to visit an old underground olive oil mill, the huge archeological site of Muro Tenente located in the countryside on the border with the town of Latiano.
Some idea for changes to the itinerary
It’s also possible to extend / modify the tour with a visit to Manduria with the Messapian (a pre-Roman population) archeological site and the Primitivo wineries, Francavilla Fontana (with its Imperiali Palace, the papier-mâché statues that are carried in procession during the famous Holy Week rites, a tradional sweets workshop to taste the Mandorla Riccia), Ostuni (the white city up on the hill overlooking the seaside), Ceglie Messapica (the temple of Apulian cuisine with a castle and a picturesque city center), Grottaglie with its ceramics district, Brindisi (the gate to the Orient), Martina Franca (with its baroque palaces), Monks' Salt Marsh with pink flamingos, a century old olive grove, etc.