Tricase

Tricase is a bustling town in the province of Lecce, which is part of the so-called "Land of Serre Salentine", benefiting from low hill formations that characterize the area. Although it arises in an area rich in prehistoric and megalithic testimonies (menhirs and specchie), there is no reliable evidence regarding the birth of the original settlement. It is passed on, however, that between the 10th and 11th centuries there were three hamlets (from which the name could have derived) and merging them led to the birth of the first settlement of today’s Tricase.  The city was a fief of the Gallone from the end of the 16th up to the early 19th century. Here the princes, who lived in Naples, had the administrative center of a rich feudal territory that reached Salve, Nociglia and Supersano. The historic center of Tricase has been formed mainly in medieval times and, observing Piazza Pisanelli, it is possible to comprehend the transformations that the city center has endured from the medieval period to modern times. In the square stands the Baroque church of San Domenico (XVII century) and the Chiesa Matrice dedicated to the Natività della Beata Vergine (XVIII century). The square is also characterized by the presence of the Mastio Orsiniano (XV century) and the Palazzo dei Principi Gallone (second half of the XVII century). The coast of Tricase, extends for about 8 km, includes the two towns of Tricase Porto and Marina Serra. Of particular interest is the presence of several exemplars of oak Vallonea on the territory. On the road that leads to Tricase Porto, it is possible to admire the so-called Quercia dei Cento Cavalieri, dating back to the 14th century. Since October 2006, a part of its territory is covered by the Parco Costa Otranto - Santa Maria di Leuca e Bosco di Tricase, established by the Region of Puglia in order to safeguard the east coast of Salento, which is rich in important architectural properties and landscape.