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HISTORICAL AND ARTISTIC INFORMATION
From CAROVIGNO
 

It was founded when the ashes of Troy were still hot. Formerly known as Carbinia, it was destroyed by the Tarentines, and then became an important rown of the Messapians, as can be seen from the ancient walls and the Acropolis.
In more recent times, Carovigno followed the destinies of Brindisi and became Roman; money which was coined here bears the double inscription, “Carb-Brun”.
With the barbarian invasions, the city became involved in the feudal system. It was governed first by the Imperial Princes of Francavilla and then by the Princes Dentice.
In 1483 the city was occupied by the Venetians, who landed at Guaceto, not far from the town.
The city retains the aspect it must have had in feudal times. As one goes north from Brindisi along Adriatic Higway, Carovigno still seems to be surrounded by its defending wall, stretching over a gentle slope and dominated by its Castle. This was built in the XV century by Raymond del Balzo Orsini, Lord of Taranto, as a defence against the Turks and the frequent pirate raids, on the ancient walls which had previously defended the city.
The castle was reinforced with towers and other defence works, while a massive circular tower, 65 feet high, was built on the seaward side, from which most of the attacks came.
When feudal violence had calmed down, the sea had been cleared of pirates and Turks finally driven away from Italian shores, the Castle was modernized and became a noble palace; in recent time it has been embellished by the Counts Dentice di Frasso.

Another interesting building is the Belvedere Sanctuary, about 3 Kms (2mi.) from Carovigno. It dates from VIII century.
It was originally a deep Grotto whose walls were covered with paintings representing among other subjects, the holy image of the Santissima Maria del Belvedere with the child, who holds a little bird in his hand. It preserves this grotto aspect, in a fantastic forest of stalactites.
Te depth of the tunnels leading to the Altar, a crypt dug out of the earth, the nearness to the sea, last refuge of the oppressed, suggest that the church, or this refuge, was created during the period of persecution, when the faithful gathered in Catacombs to pray, and to take refuge from a society which rejected them.
In our own times there are many pilgrimages to the Sanctuary, expecially at Easter and during the August holiday.