The civic coat of arms of Santa Cesarea is divided into three sections. The upper part represents a cave, in the lower left part there is a tower  while on the right there is a big tobacco plant. The origins of this centre are very ancient and they date back to the prehistory as some archaeological finds testify. They have been recovered in two caves called "Romanelli" and "Striare"  where you can still admire some ancient graffitoes. This wonderful small town lies  on the Adriatic rocky coast and  the origins of the first urban centre are mysterious. Perhaps Santa Cesarea was founded between the IX and the X centuries, as many other centres of the Salento. There are four ancient coastal towers ( XVI century)  that were used as lookout posts. There are few news about the feudal age. Santa Cesarea was probably annexed to the County of Castro. Between the XIX and the XX centuries some noble men of the Salento decided to build their imposing and elegant residences here to spend the summer months since this place was surrounded by the wild nature and was near the sea. Until some years ago Santa Cesarea was a small village under the administration of Ortelle. Since 1922 it  has been a Commune. In the same year  two small villages, Vitigliano (that belonged to the Commune of Ortelle)  and Cerfignano (that was annexed to the Commune of Minervino di Lecce) were given to this small town. One of the most important local people is Saverio Sticchi. He was born in the XIX century and he contributed a lot to improve  the famous thermal baths of Santa Cesarea.  He started working in the caves where there are some precious springs when he was very young and thanks to him a lot of people can go to Santa Cesarea to cure their illnesses.