Zollino (Griko: Τσουḍḍίνου, translit. Tsuḍḍinu; Salentino: Tsuḍḍinu) 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.

Zollino
Tsuḍḍinu
Comune di Zollino
Coat of arms of Zollino
Location of Zollino
Map
Zollino is located in Italy
Zollino
Zollino
Location of Zollino in Italy
Zollino is located in Apulia
Zollino
Zollino
Zollino (Apulia)
Coordinates: 40°12′N 18°15′E / 40.200°N 18.250°E / 40.200; 18.250
CountryItaly
Region Apulia
ProvinceLecce (LE)
FrazioniCalimera, Corigliano d'Otranto, Martano, Martignano, Soleto, Sternatia
Government
 • MayorMartin Zollino
Area
 • Total9 km2 (3 sq mi)
Elevation
90 m (300 ft)
Population
 (November 2008)[2]
 • Total2,105
 • Density230/km2 (610/sq mi)
DemonymZollinesi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
73010
Dialing code0836
ISTAT code075094
Patron saintSant'Antonio di Padova
Saint day13 June and 23 August
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

History

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Archaeological evidence suggests the area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as indicated by the presence dolmens and menhir structures. The exact origin of its foundation is uncertain: one theory suggests Zollino was established as a Iapygian colony from the nearby village of Apigliano. Another theory proposes that Zollino began as a rural settlement of people from the nearby town of Soleto, from which its ancient name Solino is believed to have originated. In ancient times, Zollino was an important trade centre between the Ionian and the Adriatic coasts.

During the Middle Ages, Zollino was part of the County of Lecce, established by the Hauteville Normands. In 1190, King Tancred of Sicily granted the village to Baron Berlinghiero Chiaromonte. Under Swabian rule, Zollino became integrated into the County of Soleto.

In the Angevin period, Zollino was again incorporated into the territory of Lecce. In 1384, Mary of Enghien included Zollino as part of her dowry upon her marriage to Raimondo Orsini del Balzo, Count of Soleto. Following Orsini's ascension to the title of Prince of Taranto, Zollino became part of the Principality of Taranto, remaining under its jurisdiction until 1463, when Giovanni Antonio Orsini del Balzo, son of Raimondello, passed away without heirs.

After his death, the Chiaromonte family, led by Tristan of Clermont, retained feudal rights over Zollino through his marriage to Catherine of Taranto, the daughter of Raimondello. Over time, the village passed through several noble families, until the abolition of the feudal system in 1806. The Greek Rite was practiced in Zollino until the 16th century.

Main sights

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  • Mother Church of Saints Peter and Paul
  • Menhir S. Anna
  • Menhir "Stazione"
  • Dolmen "Cranzari"
  • The hypogeum oil mill
  • Church of S. Anna
  • Pozzelle
  • Church of Saint Joseph
  • Statue of Martin Zoleno
  • Church of Madonna of Loreto

Transportation

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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

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