Morciano di Leuca
Comune
Comune di Morciano di Leuca
Mother Church of Morciano di Leuca
Coat of arms
Location of Morciano di Leuca
Morciano di Leuca Location of Morciano di Leuca in Italy Show map of Italy Morciano di Leuca Morciano di Leuca (Apulia) Show map of Apulia
Coordinates: 39°51′N 18°19′E / 39.850°N 18.317°E / 39.850; 18.317
Country	Italy
Region	Apulia
Province	Lecce (LE)
Frazioni	Barbarano del Capo, Marina di Torre Vado
Government
• Mayor	Lorenzo Ricchiuti
Area [1]
• Total	13.57 km2 (5.24 sq mi)
Elevation	130 m (430 ft)
Population  (31 August 2020)[2]
• Total	3,121
• Density	230/km2 (600/sq mi)
Demonym	Morcianesi
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	73040
Dialing code	0833
Patron saint	Saint John the Merciful
Saint day	23 January
Website	Official website

Morciano di Leuca is a town and comune of 3,121 inhabitants in the province of Lecce, in the Apulia region of south-east Italy.

History

The origins of Morciano di Leuca probably go back to the 9th century AD, with the destruction of the city by the Saracens. In 1190 king Tancred of Sicily gave Sinibaldo Sambiasi the fief of Morciano, which remained under his family until the 13th century. Later it was acquired by other barons, including Walter VI of Brienne (1335).

Main sights

• Castle, built by order of Walter VI of Brienne in the early 14th century
• Mother Church of San Giovanni Elemosiniere (16th century)
• Church of the Carmine (c. 1486)
• Coastal watchtower of Torre Vado (16th century)