The Village

Muro Leccese La cinta muraria (V°sec. a.C.) The B&B L' AnticoCamino is in Muro Leccese, a very old village dating back to the 5th century B.C. (the Messapica civilization ) in the province of Lecce, situated in a valley 82 metres above sea level and 12 km from Otranto.The village is in the heart of Salento, half way between the cape of Leuca and Lecce , itís a crossroads between the Adriatic† and Ionian seas.  Muro Leccese was a very old Messapican centre, City-walls made of squared blocks, still visible along 4 km, establishes the range a few more than 100 hectares. Tanks to the recent archaeological discovery the ancient Messapian City finds its ancient name again MIOS. Mios was allied to Athens during the Peloponese war, the arch enemy of the Spartan city of Taranto. In about 300 B.C. the town was conquered by the Romans and probably was razed to the ground by them as punishment for an act of rebellion. In the mid 80 the team of the archaeologist Lamboley uncovered evidence of an old fortification together with its gate, finding in Muro Leccese the biggest and most important boundary walls in pre-Roman Salento.   Chiesa di S. Marina (IX sec. d.C.) Its development also went on to Byzantine age, as the wonderful S. Marina church testifies. Tradition tells that the village was destroyed† by Arabs about 924 A.D. This event was taken as symbol† for the coat of arms of the village that is to say the ''MOOR HEAD''.     The† Byzantine church of S. Marina was restored and studied by the archaeologist Castelfranchi in the mid 90' s. Inside, you will find remains of a pictorial cycle devoted to S. Nicola of Mirya, dating from before 1087, the year in which the Saintís remains were stolen and brought to Bari.         The historical centre    Piazza del Popolo - Castello dei Principi The historical centre of the town The village has an historical centre characterized by: the houses with courtyards, the Norman castle and two wonderful Churches, one of which was chosen by the ''national mint'' for coinage as part of a series celebrating ''Leccese Baroque''. The old city hides many oil presses, located in the cellars of it old houses and symbols of traditional oil tree cultivation

 

Antico Camino - Bed & Breakfast - via Tripoli, 35 - 73036 Muro Leccese (LE)
info@anticocamino.it - reception: (+39) 0836 343023
mobile: (+39) 329 0754347 / 338 9155880