The town confines to the north with Salice Salentino, to the east with Carmiano, to the south with Leverano and to the west with Porto Cesario. The origins of Veglie date back to the Messapic settlement in our land, considering the archaeological testimonies that exist, although very few have come to light and are not well-known.
The most inportant archaelogical finding (1975) is surely the finding of a tomb, its funeral ornaments date between the IV-III century B.C. The various invadors came from the sea but, above all the Roman settlement, left a strong mark on this area. In the X century, at the times of the Byzantine emporer Niceforo Foca II, Veglie was populated thanks to a colony of greek-byzantines, whose presenze in the territory is documented up to the XIV century.
After the destruction by Francesco I del Balzo, it became a feud belonging to Tristano di Chiaromonte, Count of Copertino. In 1487 after the 'Congiura dei baroni', with Federico D'Aragona's bull, the town passed directly under the Crown's jurisdiction.
Various feudal Lords follow and, in 1557, it was sold to a rich family of merchants from Genova who became Counts of Copertino. In the years to come, for hereditory rights Veglie is governed by feudals like Pinelli, Pignatelli, etc., until it became part of the new born state of Italy, after the unification in 1860.
It is 18 kilometers from the chief town (Lecce) and it is a very active agricultural centre. Wine producing is the main activity and its best product is the 'primaticcio'. there are important ice-cream and textile factories.
Connections.
Strade provinciali: Lecce - Veglie.
Ferrovie FF.SS.: Lecce stazione di testa.
Stazioni autobus: Azienda S.T.P. di terra d'Otranto, Autolinea Lecce - Veglie.
The town confines to the north with Salice Salentino, to the east with Carmiano, to the south with Leverano and to the west with Porto Cesario. The origins of Veglie date back to the Messapic settlement in our land, considering the archaeological testimonies that exist, although very few have come to light and are not well-known.
