the territory
Lecce
Lecce is marked by its own Baroque style, characterized by a particular richness in its decorations which seem to hide the buildings rather than embellish them.
The practical flair and conceptual creativity of Lecce’s master sculptors found an application thanks to the use of pietra leccese, also known as poor man’s marble, which is a tuffaceous stone, particularly soft and easy to work but which hardens over time.
Lecce has such an enormous architectural and artistic heritage that the city was also called the “Florence of the South”.
Otranto
Otranto: where nature is also history
An important historic and artistic centre, Otranto lies on one of Italy's most beautiful coastlines. Otranto presents itself to the visitor in the guise of a medieval city, still attached to the periods that precededits destruction. Rich in remains, which testify to its intensely glorious and at times dramatic past; the splendid Cathedral overlooks the town, along with Saint Peter's Basilica, Martyr's Hill, the Castle, the Towers, the Bastions, the Aragonese walls and the fortified farmhouses, a must for all visitors to Salento.
The coast-road is one of the most poetic tourist itineraries in the province. It seems made just for the purpose of holding the interest of the traveller in search of new sensation and appealing to his imagination.With its breathtaking sea views Otranto is a paradise for all nature lovers. Otranto lies at the most easterly point of Italy.
Gallipoli
Gallipoli (Greek: Kallipolis, meaning "Beautiful City")
It is located by the Ionian Sea, on the west coast of the Salentina Peninsula. The town of Gallipoli is divided in two parts, the modern and the old city. The old town is located on a limestone island, linked to the mainland by a bridge built in the 16th century. The walls, the embankments and the towers that have defended the city for centuries from invaders, protect nowadays against heavy seas and give the city a unique charm.
In past times the economy of Gallipoli was based on the international wine and oil commerce. Nowadays its most important activities are based on fishing and tourism
Grecia salentina
Salento history always met with the Oriental one, starting from the legend that sees in the inhabitant of Creta the founders of Lecce. already during the VIII century, Greek settlers founded along the coast cities such as Gallipoli, Otranto, Taranto that would become landmarks of Magna Grecia, small capital cities more prestigious than that of the fatherland.
As regards the Greeks presence in Salento, there is still today a linguistic area named Greece of Salento. This Hellenic area is located in Lecce province, within the heart of Salento, at South-East of the Salento peninsula.
It has very ancient origins: some set the origins of the Greek area during the Byzantine period; whereas others anticipate its birth to the period of Magna Grecia.
This ethnic and linguistic minority embraces nine communes: Calimera, Castrignano dei Greci, Corigliano d'Otranto, Martano, Martignano, Melpignano, Soleto, Sternatia and Zollino.