Zollino

Zollino
Comune
Comune di Zollino
Coat of arms of Zollino
Coat of arms
Zollino

Location of Zollino in Italy

Coordinates: 40°12′N 18°15′E / 40.200°N 18.250°E / 40.200; 18.250
Country Italy
Region  Apulia
Province / Metropolitan city Lecce (LE)
Government
  Mayor Antonio Chiga
Area
  Total 9 km2 (3 sq mi)
Elevation 90 m (300 ft)
Population (November 2008)[1]
  Total 2,105
  Density 230/km2 (610/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Zollinesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 73010
Dialing code 0836
Patron saint Sant'Antonio di Padova
Saint day 13 June and 23 August
Website Official website

Zollino is a small town and comune of 2,194 inhabitants in the province of Lecce in Apulia, Italy. It is one of the nine towns of Grecìa Salentina, which still keeps Greek language and traditions.

History

Zollino's territory was settled in pre-historic times, as attested by the presence of dolmens and menhirs in the area. Its foundation origin is not clear: it could be a Iapygian colony from the nearby Apigliano, or a rural offshoot of Soleto. In historical ancient times it was an important trade centre between the Ionian and the Adriatic coasts.

In the Middle Ages, it belonged to the county of Lecce founded by the Hauteville Normands. In 1190 king Tancred of Sicily donated it to Berlinghiero Chiaromonte. After belonging to the Principality of Taranto, in 1463 it became a possession of Raimondello Orsini del Balzo. Afterwards the latter's death Zollino was again a direct royal possession and, later, a fief of the Granafei marquisses of Sternatia.

Main sights

Transportation

Zollino has a station on the Lecce-Gallipoli and Zollino-Gagliano del Capo railroads, served by the Ferrovie del Sud Est.

By road, it can be reached through the Lecce-Maglie SS16 Adriatica state road.

References

  1. Population from ISTAT



This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 6/30/2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.