There are different versions on the origin of Tricase: some of them motivate its foundation, refer to the historical period of its origins and explain its name.

The most common, however, are those of Antonio Micetti from Tricase and that of the Capuchin Father Luigi Tasselli from Casarano.

It is said that in ancient times (between the X and XI centuries) there were three Casali (small group of rural houses ). From the union of them, the first group of houses seems to have arisen and it was later given the name of Tricase.

On the naming of these three Casali began the first divisions among historians:

Luigi Tasselli  thought they were called Trunco, Monesano and Amito Cuti;

On the contrary, Antonio Micetti, called them Menderano, Voluro and San Nicola.

Probably the etymology is wrong and the word Tricase, rather then Three Casali, originally must have been translated " inter casas", which means a town formed in the middle of several Casali. Inter casas, that is to say a center arose among other settlements, which would have later merged or as a result of population growth or, more likely, for security reasons, thus leading to the birth of a new town.

It is well-established the opinion that the union of the three Casali was due  by the need of strength because being small, weak and helpless, they were often attacked, invaded and robbed by the Barbarians and by their neighbors. All this is said to be happened around the year 1030.

It is fair to say that in ancient times the name of Tricase was also Treccase, then Trecase, later Tricasi or Tricasium and only eventually the current one.

Lords and vassals of Tricase

The first Lords of Tricase appear to have been Demetrio Micetti, Nasone de Galerato, Angelo de Cafalia and Goffredo de Lavena.

Numerous lords followed them: Raimondello Orsini Del Balzo, Baldassarre ed Antonello Della Ratta, Ludovico Benavola, Pirro Castriota, Federico Pappacoda, Scipione Santabarbara and Stefano I Gallone, first Baron of Tricase .

From 1558 to 1806, until the end of feudalism, Tricase remained in the hands of the Princes Gallon, noble family , probably native from the Terra d'Otranto, which began to rise at the end of the XVI century.

Of this important family we remember Maria Bianca Gallone, last Princess of Tricase, who passed away in 1982.

The Coat of Arms

In the left side of the shield are depicted three houses on a red field, while on the right side, there is a maritime pine tree topped with a star.

The three houses are reminiscent of the origins of the city, born, according to an opinion shared by historians, from the union of three casali, although their name is still a controversial issue and perhaps insoluble due to lack of reliable documentation.

Shortly before the unification of Italy a maritime pine tree (very common along the coasts of Tricase), and a star, ( the morning one, to which the ancient inhabitants entrusted the protection of the city) were added to the Coat of Arms.

[www.comune.tricase.le.it]