Boncore,Cenate(li megghiu), Pagani, Palude del Capitano, Portoselvaggio, Roccacannuccia, Santa Caterina, Sant'Isidoro, Santa Maria al Bagno, Torre Inserraglio, Torre Uluzzo, Villaggio Resta
Lies on a lowland area placed at south-west of itsProvince, its border includes part of the Ionian coast ofSalento.
For centuries, it had been one of the central cities of theByzantine Empire. In 1497 the ducalHouse of Acquaviva acquired it under their domain. During those years it became the main cultural hotspot ofSalento, seat of many Universities, Academies, literary and philosophical studies: it was given the name ofNuoua Atene litterarum.
With almost 32,000 inhabitants and 190 squared kilometres of land, it is the second largest and most populated city among those in the Province, right afterLecce, and also one of the most culturally active towns ofSalento. The Old Town is particularly rich with palaces, churches, chapels and other architectural details shaped accordingly to the principles ofLecce'sBaroque style. Indeed, the city is a significant example of this art movement along withGallipoli andLecce.
The stretch of coast wet by theIonian Sea is split into small inhabited fractions such as Santa Caterina, Santa Maria al Bagno, Sant'Isidoro and Porto Selvaggio. The latter is aNature Reserve created by a reforestation that happened during 1950s.
Traces of human presence in the area dates fromPalaeolithic times. The settlement was founded by theMessapi around the year 1000 BC. TheRomans conquered it in 269 BC and built theVia Traiana through it. After the fall of theWestern Empire it was under theByzantines and theLombards.
In 1055 theNormans captured Nardò. Their heirs were ousted by theAngevines in 1266. In 1497 the Aragonese gave it to Andrea MatteoAcquaviva, whose sonBelisario 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.
The area around Nardò produces red androseItalian DOC wines. The grapes are limited to aharvest yield of 18 tonnes/ha with the finished needing a minimum alcohol level of 12.5%. The wines are primarily composed of 80-100%Negroamaro withMontepulciano andMalvasia Nera permitted to fill in the remaining 20%.[3]
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