Alezio

The city Alezio is located in the province of Lecce, part of Apulia region. The municipality has 5662 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012) and covers an area of 16.55 square kilometers with a population density of 313.47 inhabitants per square kilometer.

Geography

Alezio lies about 7 km east of the port town of Gallipoli, from the west coast of Salento. The height is 75 m slm. Borders the municipality next to Gallipoli Matino, Parabita, Sannicola and Tuglie.

History

Alezio probably goes back to a Greek foundation. In the field of community Oscan inscriptions was found. In Roman times Alezio benefited from the Via Traiana, which connected it with other centers of Salento. Around the year 1000 Alezio was destroyed by the Saracens, the population fled to Gallipoli and the place was not inhabited for several centuries.

Between the 12th and 13th century church of Santa Maria della Lizza was built by monks, so was a settlement called Casal de Alezio. Only at the beginning of the 18th century land was leased to farmers by local landowners again. The place was then called Villa Picciotti. It was not until 1854 he was self-employed, since 1873 it re-establish the ancient name Alezio.

Culture

Next to the church of Santa Maria della Lizza that contains frescoes from the Middle Ages, there is the main church of Chiesa dell ' Addolorata, from the 19th century. The museum, Museo Civico messapico displays finds from the 4th and 3rd centuries BC, probably from a necropolis near the town.