A few kilometers from the homonymous Mount of San Vito you reach the small town of Celle di San Vito, which boasts the primacy of the least populous municipality of Puglia. With the nearby Faeto shares the historical origin.

Here a part of the Franco-Provençal settlers recalled by the D’Angiòs was transferred and initially settled at Mount Castiglione. In fact, near the present inhabited area there was a small cenoby, from which the etymon “Celle”, depending on the monastery of Saint Nicola, is located near the confluence of Freddo creek with Celone valley. The abandoned cells, once used as a summer residence by the monks, gave the new inhabitants a site of great comfort due to the panoramic position on the valley and the salubrity of the air.

The toponymy and the medieval urban structure testify the ancient origins of the village, characterized by narrow streets and characteristic arches. Among these, the Provenzali’s arch preserves the original settlers, a gateway to the north of the town at the end of the homonymous “Provenzali road”. Instead, it refers to the presence of the Jews in the Ospedale alley, once called Rrùe de lo Ggjudéj (Alley of the Jews). In addition to its unique history, this charming village is a tourist destination appreciated for the wealth of forests and water, as evidenced by the various sources spread in the surrounding countryside and the fountains that embellish the city center.

 

PLACES TO GO

In town
The Provenzali’s arch. The area called “Old Church” with an ancient baptistery. The mother church of Saint Caterina. The characteristic Favria square. The fountain with public wash houses.

Nearby
The Celone creek and the large wooded areas including Celle’s Difesa.

EVENTS CALENDAR

• Way of the Cross on Good Friday.
• Agnello’s country festival on April 25th.
• Festival of Saint Vito on June 15th with fair and procession (the festival in honor of the Saint is repeated on August 8 for the emigrants).
• Saint Vincenzo Ferrer on August 13th.

Roberta De Iulio