Oria

Although the origin of Oria go back to the Messapian era, it was during the Romans that it became an important town because of its position between Brindisi and Taranto along the Appian Way. The town in today made up of tortuous lanes which here and there open up in beautiful piazzas and courtyards. In one of these piazza lies the Cathedral in Baroque style and nearby the Bishop's Palace.

The old town of Oria is laid out over three hills on an unusual elliptical plan, dominated by the great Castle, the main and most famous feature of the town.

The Castle, on a triangular plan, was constructed between 1227 and 1233 on the order of Frederick II and lies on a primitive Messapian acropolis.

It was later modified by Pierre d'Agincourt in the XIV century. Between its walls one can still see a square tower retained from the original Swabian complex. The slender, round Cavagliere and Salto towers date from Angevin times.

The castle houses the Martini-Carissimo collection of Messapian, Roman and medieval relicts and the crypt of Saints Crisante and Daria.