Oria Castle

Oria is a town and comune located in the Apulia region of southern Italy, specifically in the province of Brindisi in Salento. The municipality covers an area of 83 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 15,094 residents as of 2017. Oria serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oria and is situated at an elevation of 83 meters. The town's patron saint is Barsanuphius of Palestine, celebrated on August 29.

In classical antiquity, Oria was known as Hyria or Hyrium and served as one of the principal cities of the Messapian civilization. According to historical accounts by Herodotus, the city was founded by the Messapians, who were likely of Illyrian origin. The ancient city occupied a strategic location north of Manduria and southwest of Brundisium. Between 217 and 84 BC, Oria minted its own coins, often depicting Iapagus, the Iapygian national hero. During the Middle Ages, Oria became an important Byzantine stronghold during the Arab raids of southern Italy (834-871), leading the bishop of Brindisi to relocate his residence there for security. In 882, Byzantine Emperor Basil I appointed Guaifer, the former duke of Benevento, as protospatharios of the town, further cementing its significance in the region's medieval political landscape.