Villa Clara - San Pietro in Bevagna (In Vendita / For Sale)

San Pietro in Bevagna, whose origin go back to 42-45 B.C., was founded by Peter the Apostle, is a quiet bathing place, typical for its long and wide beach, rounded by Mediterranean bush dunes and blue seas and uncontaminated. Its strategic position allows you also to dedicate time to the discovery of the wonderful places of the Salentine Peninsula.

Many people have always came to this sanctuary, not only from Manduria, but also from the near towns, especially when plentiful rains or long dry spells threat to compromise the vintage or the harvest.

In these circumstances thousands of farmers poured during the night into the near country sides. In the morning, they make the chaplain of the sanctuary take an old painting, which portrays St. Peter, who is venerated here. Then, they see the painting off at Manduria, creating a long, quaint procession during which everyone carries on the shoulders heavy stones or big logs in sign of penance.

The early sanctuary of St. Peter in Bevagna was built in remote times in the same place where, according to an ancient tradition, the Apostle Peter celebrated the divine sacrifice, once he had landed in 42 or 45 B.C. together

with two Apostles, Andrew and Mark.

On the portal of the church, it is carved an ancient Latin inscription, translated from Hebrew by the priest of Manduria Matteo Del Prete. This inscription told to pilgrims:

"Petrus, Adreas et Marcus in nominee Christi sunt huius temple factores firmiter histi. Qui huc accedit acquiret proemia tanta quanta sunt Romae pedes et cinere sancta".

It reminded pilgrims the tradition of the built of the church started by the Apostles themselves. It also reminded the indulgences by which Popes have enriched this sanctuary during the time.

During the middle Ages, it belonged to the Basilani family, then to the bishops of Oria. In the XI century Godino, bishop of Oria, gave it and other goods to Benedictines from the convent of St. Laurence in Anversa, who make it a 'grancia' and officiated the church until the beginning of '800, when the sanctuary was regained possession by the bishops of Oria.

Away from the splendid Ionian coastline, the surrounding countryside of the Taranto Murge is famous for its vineyards. The town of Manduria, some 10 kilometers inland, is well known not only for its wines but also for its history - you can still see today extensive remains of the ancient Messapian civilization.

The city of Lecce, famous as the Florence of the Baroque, is around 60 kilometers away, and the interesting city of Taranto, traces of the ancient Magna Grecia civilization, is around 50 kilometers.