Latiano
Centre of medium sizes whose economy is manly based on agriculture, breeding, handicrafts, Latiano is located at North of Salento. Rises next to a Messapic centre, as proven by the finds discovered in the close area of Muro Tenente.
Historical Notes
Some historians sustain that the Latiano foundation goes up to the XIth century, under the reign of Boemondo, Taranto Price. From the origin to the sale of the Latiano feud, the historical facts of Latano were the ones of the Taranto Principality.
After the Italy unification a new life has begun for this town. A new impulse to the various activities was given to the construction of the State railway Taranto – Brindisi, whose inauguration was held in 1866. The misery and the precariousness of life conditions was substituted by a state of agitation that favoured the creation of small industries exploiting the local resources.
The trappetts and the millstones were the first achievements (places of transformation of the olives in oil and of the grapes in wine).
Latiano has given its human contribute to the First and Second World War, and many people have dead on the battle field, others for reasons connected to the war. Their names are incised on a gravestone on the frontal wall of the ex City Palace.
Monuments to visit
Torre del Solise, Chiesa Matrice Santa Maria della neve, Chiesa del Santissimo Crocifisso, Chiesa di Sant'Antonio, Chiesa del Santissimo Rosario, Santuario Santa Maria di Cotrino, The monumental Opera "Terra risorta e le porte del cielo".
The neighbourhoods
Francavilla Fontana: In the close municipality of Francavilla Fontana one can find other important monuments to visit, that enrich further the cultural history of Latiano. There are actually palaces and churches describing various historical periods. The most important above all remains surely the Palazzo Imperiali.
San Pancrazio Salentino e Cellino San Marco: These two municipalities belong to Parco del Negroamaro, a social, economic and cultural park, involving 25 communes of the Central Salento, belonging to the provinces of Lecce and Brindisi. The main purposes of Parco del Negroamaro, realized in 2006, are turned to improve the touristy services, to stimulate the traditional and cultural manifestations and to promote the territory at popular level.
Other communes to visit in the neighbourhood: Mesagne, Brindisi, San Vito dei Normanni, Carovigno and Ostuni.
How to reach Latiano
By car: E 55 highway (S.S. 16 and S.S. 379) Bari - Lecce, exit S. Vito dei Normanni, then S.P. 35 for S. Vito and S.P. 46 for Latiano. E 90 Highway (S.S. 7) Brindisi - Taranto, exit Latiano.
By Train: State railway: Lines Roma - Brindisi, Milano - Brindisi, Milano - Taranto, Roma - Bari - Taranto. On the interval Brindisi - Taranto and vice versa, station of Latiano.
Bu Plain: Brindisi Airport - Popola Km 22 / Bari Airport – Palese Km 120.
by Sea: Brindisi Harbour Km 22.