Francavilla Fontana

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Francavilla Fontana is sometimes refered to as the town of the "Imperiali" because the Imperiali, a family of feudal lords, ruled the town from the end of 16th century until the 18th century. The town's name, Francavilla, means tax-free town, and Fontana is based on the legend that the fountain showed a vision of the Virgin Mary which was seen by Prince Filippo d'Angiò, who then delcared the town to be a tax-free haven.

In the town there is the square Castle of the Imperiali, the Mother Church that dates to 1743 and the Torre dell-Orologia (a watchtower) that was built in 17850.

If you were travelling in the Region by train, the railway station is on the Taranto-Brindisi and the Martina-Lecce rail line.

Part of the walls remain and three of the original gates are still intact. Throughout the town thre are plenty of examples of buildings with baroque facades, although not to the degree as found in Lecce.