The city was founded by the Slavonians (a Slavonic people coming from the other side of the Adriatic) at the end of the 10th century. The first settlement rose near the square tower, and is currently called "Li Stratodde". It consisted in poor dwellings made of stone and bole, with roofing made of reed and tiles. The most important element in the ancient village is represented by the baronial palace complex, which includes the Square Tower, that was probably built at the end of the 11th century, at the time of Boemondo of Taranto