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.
History
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
Ottoman Empire. Under
Byzantine Empire domination it had Greek bishops.
Economy
Economy is mostly based on agriculture (wine and olives), fishing, shepherding, food processing and tourism.
