The history of Ceglie Messapica goes back to at least 15 centuries before Christ, its origin is surely preHellenic, but traces and new finds, under consideration to-day, might date back to 4.000 years ago. At present Pelasgi and Cretesi are rivals for the birth certificate of the city; they made ancient Kailia to be an important military and commercial centre of the Messapi, the people who settled between the Adriatic and Ionian seas. Afterward the history of Ceglie absorbs the Latin and Roman rule, the decadance of the august Empire and the coming of the Communes. After the Midde Age period that deeply marked the culture and behaviors of Meridione (South Italy), Renaissance reveals here, too, with its renewed political system protecting aristocracy of the time and encouraging arts and cultural exchanges: between 16th and 18th century il Castello ducale, la Chiesa Collegiata, the marvellous baroque-style curch of San Domenico with the attached monastery, at present Town Hall, are completed.