Ceglie Messapica (Brindisi)

Ceglie Messapica: The Ancient Heart of the Itria Valley

Ceglie Messapica is an Italian town of 19,990 inhabitants in the province of Brindisi, Apulia (Itria Valley). Known as a city of art and land of gastronomy, it is among the oldest towns in the region and was founded around the 15th century BC. The area is characterized by trulli, masserie, centuries-old olive groves, and karst caves; it is very attractive to foreigners.

Ceglie Messapica in the Itria Valley: History, Flavors, and Tradition

Ceglie Messapica boasts a well-established gastronomic tradition which, since the 1950s, has earned the town numerous recognitions, especially in the fields of ice cream, pastry, and baked goods. The city and its surroundings are home to many restaurants, several of which are highly regarded and listed in top culinary guides. They offer customers typical dishes of the local tradition based on vegetables or meat, sometimes reinterpreted with a modern twist.

History and Beauty in the Itria Valley

The economy is mainly based on agriculture (especially olives and vines), although manufacturing activities are also present. Tourism is also growing significantly, not only gastronomic tourism—which is the true jewel of the town—but also artistic and rural tourism. More and more visitors from England, France, and Germany are captivated by the Ceglie countryside, rich with trulli, masserie, and centuries-old olive trees.
Agriculture is the sector employing the most workers per hectare. It mainly focuses on olive cultivation, vineyards, extensive vegetable farming, cherry orchards, and almond trees, the latter used for confectionery production, especially the famous Ceglie biscuit. Farmers are less affected by drought periods thanks to abundant spring water sources. Livestock farming, including sheep, pigs, and goats, is also widely practiced in the area.

Itria Valley: Ceglie Messapica and Timeless Charm

Masserie were known as large inhabited farms, often also housing the landowners. These extensive rural complexes included accommodations for farmers, sometimes only seasonal workers, storage for fodder and crops, and stables. The masserie within the town share similar characteristics. They mainly develop around courtyards overlooking the main building, which is usually two stories high. Many trulli are used as storage rooms or stables, and in some cases as churches or rural chapels (such as Masseria Madonna della Grotta, Masseria Epifani, and others). Some masserie also feature fortifications.