Merine is a village of 3,795 inhabitants of the municipality of Lizzanello in the province of Lecce. Located 3 km from the center of the capital city and in the immediate vicinity of the city of Lecce, it is one of the largest villages of the province. The territory of Merine was inhabited since the Bronze Age as evidenced by menhirs existing in the area until a few years ago. The center appears to have emerged in the early Middle Ages. Incorporated into the County of Lecce until the 13th century, it was sold in 1353 to Carovineis who possessed it until the 15th century. HIt passed to Montenegro and, in 1613, was bought by Palmieri who've been its lords until 1806, the year of subversion of feudalism.