PORTUS SASINAE: the history of Porto Cesareo

 
The natural protection along the coast, made of wide bays, cliffs and the peninsule of Strea, the abundance of fish and the presence of many springs of fresh water spread along the coast, gave to Porto Cesareo the specific function of port, shelter, favouring (from ancient time) a typic phenomenon, named seafaring nomadism, in order to exploit new sea areas in different seasons.

A first presence is attested to the discover of a village of about XVIII-XVII cent. b.C., which was frequented by sailors coming from Greek islands.
According to Tucidide, in Porto Cesareo, in 413 b.C., Messapi and Athenians met to consolidate an ancient alliance.

Only from XV century, with the defensive works of the territory and the building of a series of sighting towers, work of spanish Vicerè of Naples, the fishermen came from neighbouring places, first of all Taranto, and started that slow and gradual process.

So the peopling of the area began and the constitution of the first family units, around 1830-1850 with the birth of a little village on the state ground round Cesarea Tower.
They, defended by the borbonic garrisons on the towers, rassured by the abundance of fish, even if oppressed by the residual feudal claims, finally had the courage to choose this location creating their family, marrying women of the neighbourghs villages.

Source: Area Marina Protetta- Porto Cesareo, Ammiraglio Michelagnoli Foundation.

 

Main Information

The city of PORTO CESAREO has 4439 inhabitants (census 1991).

The surface is about 34.67 km² and the altimetrical band is 1 m.

The inhabitants’ density is 128/ km².

The city centre is 28 km far from the chief town of province.

Town hall address: via Petraroli, C.A.P. 73010- tel. 0833- 569013.

FFSS station: LECCE.

Bus service: Azienda S.T.P. di TERRA d’OTRANTO, Lecce-Torre Lapillo.

Port: little port.

Turistic area: The territory has 20 km of sandy coast. Little isles: Isola Grande or dei Conigli, Lo Scoglio, Isola della Scogliera, La Strea.

Museum: Marine Biology, via Dune.

Religious feasts: S. Cesarea (third decade of august), Nostra Signora Maria (third decade of august, in Torre Lapillo).

Folk-moments: feast of the fish in June.

Handicraft and typical products: rush handwork, wine, olive-oil.

The weekly market is on Thursdays in Torre Lapillo (only in summer).