Nardò

Beside Lecce the most important town of this county, of very ancient origin too, with a Messapian settlement dating back around the VII century b.C.
It was of some importance in Roman times, chiefly under imperors Traian and Adrian, followed then the fortunes common to greater number of South Italy centres. So it was first under Byzantines, then Saracenics, Normans, Swabians, the Pope, then under Saracenics again who gave it back to Swabians, then under Angiòs, then Aragoneses... but still remaining an important centre also as for religious power, as a matter of fact it was nearly always the seat of a Bishopric.
Ionian sea is at approximately 10km., with the hamlet of Santa Maria del Bagno, a nice bathing resort. Also nearby is the beautiful Regional Park of Porto Selvaggio, which is entirely in the communal area of Nardò and includes the portion of the equipped natural park and the Palude del Capitano (Captain's Marsh). The coast is rocky and rugged, characterised by pine woods and maquis. Along the shore are spread the ancient sighting towers: Torre dell'Alto e Torre Uluzzo.
The historic centre, always made of the beautiful local light limestone, is pleasant and rich of interesting elements. In 1743 a strong earthquake destroyed many buildings, that were then reconstructed in Baroque style. At the moment the centre is undergoing the remake of the stone paving, thing that, combined with wild car parking, obliges the visitors to some little acrobatic exercise.
Anyhow the central Piazza Salandra is very effective, with the stage like Baroque façade of Palazzo Salandra, today the Town hall, the 1769 huge column consecrated to the Holy Virgin, the imposing front of the Cathedral.
In Piazza Battisti we find the Acquaviva Palace, dating back to XV century, when the dukedom was founded and allotted by Aragoneses to the Acquaviva family.