Mesagne

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Mesagne
Comune
Città di Mesagne

Coat of arms
Mesagne
Location of Mesagne in Italy
Coordinates: 40°34′N 17°48′E / 40.567°N 17.800°E / 40.567; 17.800Coordinates: 40°34′N 17°48′E / 40.567°N 17.800°E / 40.567; 17.800
Country Italy
Region Puglia
Province Brindisi (BR)
Government
 • Mayor Franco Scoditti
Area
 • Total 122 km2 (47 sq mi)
Elevation 72 m (236 ft)
Population (31 December 2006)[1]
 • Total 27,902
 • Density 230/km2 (590/sq mi)
Demonym Mesagnesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 72023
Dialing code 0831
Patron saint Madonna del Carmine
Saint day 16 July
Website Official website

Mesagne (in local dialect Misciagni) is a comune in the province of Brindisi in Puglia,on the south-east Italy coast. Its main economic activities are tourism and the growing of olives and grapes. It's the fifth - most - populous town of the province, and it is located at 15 km from Brindisi.

History

Mesagne was an important center when Apulia was dominated by the Messapi, because it joined Oria to the port of Brindisi. After the Roman conquest, it was also an important city located on the Appian way. Its name is from these times. In the Middle Age it was called Castrum Medianum, then Castro Misciano, this is the name used from the 16th century. When Giovanni Antonio Orsini Del Balzo decided to expend the city's castle, Mesagne evolved, with the construction of a theater, a hospital and the paving of roads. The city remains important in the economy of the province to this day, with much industry in the area.

Geography

Distance from major cities in Apulia

Main sights

  • The castle, existing from the 11th century; in 1195 it was given to the Teutonic Knights. Today it houses an arachaeological museum
  • Messapic necropolises
  • 15th century walls
  • Palaeo-Christian church (tempietto) of St. Lawrence (7th century)
  • Basilica del Carmine (14th century)
  • Mater Domini church (1598-1605)

Population

The population of Mesagne in 2010 was as follows:

Local culture

Events

  • Natale Nel Cuore (Christmas in Heart): exposition of little statuettes representing the most important characters of Christmas
  • Cavalcata dei Magi (Cavalcade of the Magi): Historical.

Sagre

  • Sagra ti la fucazza chena: Festival of the stuffed cakes
  • Sagra ti li stacchioddi: Festival of Orecchiette
  • Sagra ti li peschi: Festival of peaches

Sport

In Mesagne, the most popular sport practised is soccer.

Soccer

The local football team is named A.S.D. Mesagne 1929. The team plays in the Promozione championship.

Basketball

Basketball is popular in the city, with two male teams; Mens Sana Mesagne and Virtus Mesagne, who play in the C2 championship. Also the female team; Meyana Mesagne who plays in A2 championship.

Volleyball

The city's female volleyball team, Volley Mesagne, play in the C championship.

Taekwondo

The city is home to the famous taekwondo athletes Veronica Calabrese and Carlo Molfetta. The latter is an olympic champion in the 80+ kg category from the 2012 Summer Olympics of London.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Population from ISTAT

External links

Media related to Mesagne at Wikimedia Commons

Puglia · Comuni of the Province of Brindisi
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