Ugento

Ugento (Salentino: Ušèntu) is a town and comune in the province of Lecce, Apulia, southern Italy. It has a small harbour on the Gulf of Taranto of the Ionian Sea.

Ugento Griko:Ozan
Comune
Comune di Ugento
Ugento cathedral
Coat of arms
Location of Ugento
Ugento Location of Ugento in Italy Show map of Italy Ugento Ugento (Apulia) Show map of Apulia
Coordinates: 39°55′38″N 18°09′41″E
Country	Italy
Region	Apulia
Province	Lecce (LE)
Frazioni	Gemini, Torre San Giovanni, part of Lido Marini, Torre Mozza
Government
• Mayor	Massimo Lecci
Area [1]
• Total	100.4 km2 (38.8 sq mi)
Elevation	108 m (354 ft)
Population  (31 March 2012)[2]
• Total	12,327
• Density	120/km2 (320/sq mi)
Demonym	Ugentini
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	73059
Dialing code	0833
Patron saint	St Vincent the Martyr
Saint day	22 January
Website	Official website

History

The Piazza di Ugento

The city is the ancient Uxentum, and claims to have been founded by Uxens, who is mentioned in the Eighth Book of the Aeneid. In ancient times it was an important city. In 1537 it was sacked by the Turks. Under Byzantine domination it had Greek bishops.

Economy

The beach at Torre San Giovanni in Ugento

Economy is mostly based on agriculture (wine and olives), fishing, shepherding, food processing and tourism.