Alezio Alytia (Greek) | |
|---|---|
| Comune di Alezio | |
 Shrine of Our Lady of the Lizza | |
Location of Alezio  | |
  Alezio Location of Alezio in Italy Show map of Italy Alezio Alezio (Apulia) Show map of Apulia | |
| Coordinates:40°4′N18°03′E / 40.067°N 18.050°E /40.067; 18.050 | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Apulia |
| Province | Lecce (LE) |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Andrea Barone |
| Area | |
• Total | 16 km2 (6 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 75 m (246 ft) |
| Population (1 January 2017)[2] | |
• Total | 5,695 |
| • Density | 360/km2 (920/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Aletini |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 73011 |
| Dialing code | 0833 |
| Patron saint | Madonna della Lizza |
| Saint day | 15 August |
| Website | Official website |
Alezio (Messapic:Alytia;Latin:Aletium) is a town andcomune in theprovince of Lecce in theApulia region of south-eastItaly.
Alezio (despite legend assigning its foundation to a king of Crete) was a centre of theMessapi, who would call itAlytia like their former capital inAcarnania. According toPliny the Elder, the Aletines descended instead from theIapyges, who descended by theOscans. It is mentioned asBaletium in thePeutingerian Table (4th century AD). It was a stop on theVia Traiana, who connected ancient Apulia toRome.
Around the year 1000, Alezio was destroyed by theSaracens, its inhabitants moving to theGallipoli island. It remained deserted until the 12th-13th centuries, when a church dedicated to Santa Maria della Alizza or della Lizza was built by someBasilian monks. The newCasal d'Alezio, built around it, remained a small village until the 18th century. It was calledVilla Picciotti from the 18th century until 1873, when the Messapic name was restored.
Within Alezio is a 60-hectare (150-acre) region that produces red androseDOC wines that are a blend with up to 20%Negroamaro, plusSangiovese,Malvasia andMontepulciano.Harvestyields are limited to 14 tonnes/ha. Thewines are aged for a minimum of 2 years prior to release and must contain a minimum alcohol level of 12.5%.[3]
Alezio is served by a railway station of theFerrovie Sud-Est, which also holds several bus services in the area.
