Salice Salentino

Comune in Apulia, Italy

Location of Salice Salentino

40°23′N 17°58′E / 40.383°N 17.967°E / 40.383; 17.967CountryItalyRegionApuliaProvinceLecce (LE)Government

• MayorAntonio RosatoArea

^[1]

• Total59.87 km² (23.12 sq mi)Elevation

49 m (161 ft)Population

(30 November 2018)^[2]

• Total8,152 • Density140/km² (350/sq mi)DemonymSalicesiTime zoneUTC+1 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)Postal code

73015

Dialing code0832ISTAT code075065 Patron saintFrancis of AssisiSaint daySecond Sunday of OctoberWebsiteOfficial website

Salice Salentino is a small town and comune in the southern part of Apulia, Italy, in the Salento area. It is bounded with the province of Taranto to the northwest and the province of Brindisi to the north.

Main sights include the Chiesa Madre ("Mother Church") of Santa Maria Assunta (16th century) and the convent of the Friars Minor (1597-1597). Its coat of arms features a tree in the middle of a shield and a golden crown on top.

History

Founded by the prince Raimondo Orsini Del Balzo in the end of the 14th century, Salice Salentino owes its name to the willow trees that once used to grow and populate its muddy, clay soil. The prince constructed his residence, the "Casa del Re" (House of the King). It was later owned by the baron Zurlo in 1485. It was passed on to the marquis Albricci, Enriquez, prince of Squinzano, Filomarini, duke of Cutrofiano and della Torre.

Economy

Its main economical activity is agriculture in the olive and wine industry.

It is a center of production for Salice Salentino wine.

References

^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
^ Population from ISTAT