Castro, Apulia

Castro is a Southeast Italian municipality ( comune ) with 2451 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012) 98 m above the sea on the Pizzo Mmucurune in the province of Lecce in Puglia. The municipality is situated approximately 35 km south-southeast of Lecce in Salento on the Adriatic coast. Numerous caves and a small harbor located there.

History

The city is connected to the ancient Castrum Minervae place, which is handed down in literature ( VergiI, Aeneid 3, 523-53 I). Originally inhabited by Pelasgians perhaps, the ancient city was founded by the Messapians. In the second half of the 4th century BC was surrounded an area of ​​three acres with a freestone, of which survived a 700 -foot segment of the localita Muraglie and in the localitä Capanne. The lower layers and the part of the gate pillars are still visible in the later fort walls. In masonry were two blocks with a messapic building inscription of the 4th - 3rd Century BC found that probably reflects name. In the fort area also found an altar with an inscription messapic. In the studies in addition to pottery shards, spear heads and nails were also about 13 cm high bronze Athenastatuette to light which is kept in the custody of the universities di Salento. The pottery sherds of japygisch geometric, Corinthian, Attic black - and - rotfi gurigen vessels and Corinthian amphora prove the early use of the site and the contact of the residents to Seehändlern with Greek merchandise. Schwarzgefirnißte and achrome vessels and painted local goods belong to the time of the fortified settlement and Italic and African shards and lamps in the Roman period. In addition to the traces of the messapic fixing testified a gable block with triglyphs, which should be supplemented to a gable of at least 5.20 m in length that is also a small temple-like building has been in the Doric order in Castro. Several ancient sources provide a sanctuary of Minerva on the japygischem foothills.

123 BC the settlement was Roman. During the Byzantine rule the city had to endure numerous attacks by Ostrogoths, Vandals, Goths, Lombards and Hungary. When the Arabs conquered the city, they gave it the name Al Qatara ( " Castle "). From 1270 Castro was part of the Principality of Taranto.

Until 1818 was Castro seat of a bishop.

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