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FRAZIONE
OF THE COMMUNE OF VERNOLE
Acquarica di Lecce (so called to
distinguish it from Acquarica del Capo) is a small village
under the administration of Vernole.
The human presence on this territory during the prehistoric
age is attested by some ancient archaeological finds and a menhir three meters
tall. Probably it was founded in the X century by a group of people attracted
by the presence of water. In fact, the toponym might come from two words: acqua
( water) and ricca (rich). The feudal age started during the Norman domination
during which the feud was given to the Bishop of Lecce. Later it was annexed to
the Principality of Taranto. It was governed by De Guarinos and the Palaganos
and the last vassals were the Bozzi Colonna, that governed until 1806. In this
small village you can see a church and two chapels. The Mother Church of
St. Gregoriy was built in the first half of the XX century, on the rests of a
pre-existing XVI century building and its decorations are very simple. The
Chapels of the Good Counsel and of the Pity date back to the XVII century and
the simplicity of the facade mirrors that of the interiors.
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