Nardò : the historic center
Nardò is a town of 31,185 inhabitants in the southern Italian region of Apulia, in the province of Lecce.
According to tradition, the city of Neriton was founded by a group of Cretan-Mycenaean. Like many ancient cities, Nardò has legendary origins. According one legend, the city was founded in the year 3559 BC the Jewish calendar from mythological Nereus, from the Greek island of Lefkada. Another legend tells that the Egyptians founded Nardò, based on the coat of arms of the city, which for some was the Sun God, they worshiped. The third legend says that, during the government of Enotro Italic, a group of inhabitants of Epirus called "Chones" came in Japigia and founded Gallipoli and Nardò. It is said, also, that the city was built where a bull pawing the ground with the hoof, gave gushing water, tracing the etymology of the name Illyricum "NAR" which means just water.
The city has ancient roots and strong testimonies of all periods, from prehistoric times onwards. Numerous artifacts and evidence found throughout, particularly in the Bay of Uluzzo, in different caves, especially in that of "Uluzzu" and "Horse". The archaeological evidence found in these two caves are considered as the first manifestations of visual arts existing in Europe, cataloged in the Middle and Upper Paleolithic. The uniqueness of these findings led to the name of the prehistoric period defined, precisely, "Uluzziano".
The Romans conquered it in 269 BC and built the Via Traiana through it. After the fall of the Western Empire it was under the Byzantines and the Lombards. In 1055 the Normans captured Nardò. Their heirs were ousted by the Angevines in 1266. In 1497 the Aragonese gave it to Andrea Matteo Acquaviva, whose son Belisario was the first Duke of Nardò, and promoted the Renaissance in the city.
In 1647 the city rebelled against the Spanish domination, but the viceroyal troops suppressed the riot with heavy terms. In 1743 an earthquake destroyed much of the city.
This Baroque town in the heart of the Salento subpeninsula of the heel of Italy extending southeast between the Ionian and Adriatic Sea, has landscapes considered to be among the most beautiful in Italy, baroque monuments, baroque churches and masserie (typical ancient fortified farmhouses). The coast has sandy and rocky sections, but allows some lovely views of the Natural Park of Portoselvaggio. Its territory includes 34 kilometres (21 mi) of Ionian Sea coast with ancient fishermen villages: Santa Maria al Bagno, Santa Caterina and Santo Isidoro.
According to tradition, the city of Neriton was founded by a group of Cretan-Mycenaean. Like many ancient cities, Nardò has legendary origins. According one legend, the city was founded in the year 3559 BC the Jewish calendar from mythological Nereus, from the Greek island of Lefkada. Another legend tells that the Egyptians founded Nardò, based on the coat of arms of the city, which for some was the Sun God, they worshiped. The third legend says that, during the government of Enotro Italic, a group of inhabitants of Epirus called "Chones" came in Japigia and founded Gallipoli and Nardò. It is said, also, that the city was built where a bull pawing the ground with the hoof, gave gushing water, tracing the etymology of the name Illyricum "NAR" which means just water.
The city has ancient roots and strong testimonies of all periods, from prehistoric times onwards. Numerous artifacts and evidence found throughout, particularly in the Bay of Uluzzo, in different caves, especially in that of "Uluzzu" and "Horse". The archaeological evidence found in these two caves are considered as the first manifestations of visual arts existing in Europe, cataloged in the Middle and Upper Paleolithic. The uniqueness of these findings led to the name of the prehistoric period defined, precisely, "Uluzziano".
The Romans conquered it in 269 BC and built the Via Traiana through it. After the fall of the Western Empire it was under the Byzantines and the Lombards. In 1055 the Normans captured Nardò. Their heirs were ousted by the Angevines in 1266. In 1497 the Aragonese gave it to Andrea Matteo Acquaviva, whose son Belisario was the first Duke of Nardò, and promoted the Renaissance in the city.
In 1647 the city rebelled against the Spanish domination, but the viceroyal troops suppressed the riot with heavy terms. In 1743 an earthquake destroyed much of the city.
This Baroque town in the heart of the Salento subpeninsula of the heel of Italy extending southeast between the Ionian and Adriatic Sea, has landscapes considered to be among the most beautiful in Italy, baroque monuments, baroque churches and masserie (typical ancient fortified farmhouses). The coast has sandy and rocky sections, but allows some lovely views of the Natural Park of Portoselvaggio. Its territory includes 34 kilometres (21 mi) of Ionian Sea coast with ancient fishermen villages: Santa Maria al Bagno, Santa Caterina and Santo Isidoro.
Piazza Salandra, considered on of the most beautiful in all Salento
Visual delights of the historic center streets
Nardò at night!
Nardò sea towns and views
