Mesagne

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 is the fifth most-populous town of the province, and it is 15 kilometres (9 mi) 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 10.5 kilometres (6.5 mi) from Brindisi 40.4 kilometres (25.1 mi) from Lecce 57.6 kilometres (35.8 mi) from Taranto 110.3 kilometres (68.5 mi) from Bari 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: 27.860 citizens - http://www.comuni-italiani.it/074/010/statistiche/recenti.html 10,777 families of which 47.4% are male. 334 foreign nationals resident, represented in the following statistical reference: http://www.comuni-italiani.it/074/010/statistiche/stranieri.html 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 Mesagne railway station References External links Media related to Mesagne at Wikimedia Commons