A stay in .. Francavilla Fontana (Brindisi)

Francavilla Fontana, ancient origins, became a city in the early fourteenth century by order of Philip of Anjou, Prince of Taranto, tradition says that the prince, in the September 14, 1310, during a hunting trip he found a picture the Madonna and Child painted on a crumbling wall near a fountain. Erected a chapel and granted the lands and franchises to the inhabitants of neighboring houses thus giving rise to the city initially called Casale di Francavilla. In this beautiful city you will see Argentina Palace, National Monument, with the portal surmounted by a balcony (1400) richly decorated palace Giannuzzi Dearest, eighteenth century, with the beautiful balcony of the entire facade, also the Clock Tower (1750) where he later they were set a sundial. Walking around you will see the Fountain Vena, the beautiful and large public garden; the Mother Church baroque, the facade is special with the tallest dome in Salento with a star at the top inside the crypt is very impressive. The castle is surrounded by a moat, the portal is the eighteenth century, on the one hand you'll see four windows with arches and columns, with a beautiful terrace in the ditch there are also flowering plants and palm trees. Along the perimeter of the castle are still visible the Porta del Carmine, the Gate of the Cross and the Gate of the Capuchins. A nice walk to City Park Forest Bottari, near the provincial Francavilla-Ceglie, with holm oaks and reverelle but also to Mirror Cave and Cave Bax formed by karst effects. Among the most important local events, as well as the patronal feast of Our Lady of the Fountain, is the Procession of the Mysteries. This procession takes place on Friday night and starts with the output from the church of Santa Chiara, with Black Cross Mysteries of the symbols of the Passion of Christ and is followed by statues depicting the Stations of the Cross of Christ and the Sorrows. But a statue out of the church at a time when the first master of ceremonies makes noise with the "trenula" (tablets on which are mounted the handles that produce a singular banging noise) while the band, all the way performs poignant funeral marches. Watch this long and theatrical procession that runs through the city is like returning back in time as they are realistic statues followed by various fraternities. Due to its geographical position Francavilla Fontana can therefore be a tourist destination also having the opportunity to visit Taranto, Brindisi and Lecce.