| Casamassella is a small village in the Otranto area, a part of the town of Uggiano La Chiesa. A saying has been passed down which accurately describes the medieval village: “Nice town, twelve houses, a bakery and a castle” (except in Italian it rhymes “Paese bello, dodici case, un forno e un castello”).
The heart of Casamassella is indeed the castle De Viti de Marco, cited in documents since Medieval times, when it had a moat and a drawbridge.
The fortified house belonged for centuries to important families from the Neapolitan reign until in the 18th century it was transformed into a stately home, with an elegant balcony in the façade. Near the castle is a church dedicated to the Archangel Saint Michael ( San Michele Arcangelo), its clock tower still marks the passing of time in Casamassella.
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