Velhe (Salentino: Eje) is a town and comune in the Italian province of Lecce in the Apulia region of south-east Italy. Veglie is 20 km west of Lecce and 12 km east of the sea, the Gulf of Taranto. It is bounded by the comuni of Campi Salentina, Carmiano, Leverano, Nardò, Novoli and Salice Salentino.

History

Veglie was founded around the 10th century. Francesco Ribezzo thinks that the name Veglie comes from pre-Messapic vel, of Mediterranean origin, meaning "elevation". A tomb found in Via Novoli in 1957 dates back to Messapic times. It is displayed in a provincial museum.

Economy

Its main industries are agriculture, which features olive and wine production and manufacturers. Ice cream is also produced in the village.