Vereto, Archaeological site in Patù, Lecce Province, Italy
Vereto is an ancient settlement on a limestone hill in the southernmost part of the Salento Peninsula, close to the Adriatic coast. The site now contains a church built on the location of the former settlement's center.
The settlement began as a Messapian center, later became a Roman town, and ended due to an attack by seafarers in the ninth century. This shift from prosperity to decline shaped the place's story greatly.
The place reveals traces of people who lived and traded here across many centuries. The remains show its role as a Mediterranean trading center, visible in the artifacts found and the settlement's strategic location.
The site lies a short distance east of Patu town and is easy to reach. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as the terrain is hilly and partly uneven in places.
Scientists discovered hidden structures beneath the church using special radar technology, which come from earlier building phases. These findings show that layers from different time periods lie on top of each other.
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