Muro Leccese

MURO LECCESE Lecce, Apulia, Italy.

An ancient Messapic center of which few traces remain; no mention is made of it in the literary sources. The double circuit wall is reminiscent of the walls of Manduria. In 1859 the remains of a circular temple were discovered. Its small altar bore a Messapic inscription of the 5th c. B.C. with a dedication to Aphrodite and a bronze statuette of the goddess. Both statuette, of Greek workmanship, and inscription are in the Museo Castromediano at Lecce.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

M. Bernardini, Panorama archeologico dell'estremo Salento (1955) 49; O. Parlangeli, Studi Messapici (1960) 195; G. Delli Ponti, I bronzi del Museo Provinciale di Lecce (1973) 16.

F. G. LO PORTO