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Castri di Lecce is a calm countryside city in a typical family-friendly region, full of culture told through its flavors and its people!
A Puglia is a rich region in all its aspects, the cities, the beaches, the cuisine; a place that appeals to all tastes.
Puglia had a strategic function in its past: it was the natural union with the East. Its territory was occupied by the Greeks (founded Taranto) in the VIII century B.C. and conquered by the Romans, where it played an essential role as the “gate to the East”, from the port of Brindisi. It is still possible to see signs of the passage of the Greeks throughout the province, such as the different Byzantine churches still present on the territory.
Castri di Lecce was born from the union of two ancient villages: Guarino and Francone. They were two communities of different origins that at the end of the 19th century merged into the current municipality of Castri di Lecce. The toponym probably derives from the Latin “castrum”, with the meaning of inhabited center. The inhabitants are called Castrisani.
In 1353, the De Lettere family home was purchased by the Neapolitan family of the Francones. Over the centuries, the feud was passed on by heredity under the control of various families of Lecce’s nobility, such as the Dell’Acaya, Valentini, Grimaldi, Mattei and Cicala families. The part of the Bonsecolo family passed, in 1302, to Agostino Guarino, from which the name of Castriguarino was derived. Later, after several feudal changes, it was acquired in 1709 by the Genoese Vernazza family.
Castri di Lecce, whose history is poorly documented, has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. The presence of menhirs and specchie, evidence of the megalithic era, confirm the human presence since prehistoric age.
From historical documents we learn that in 1190 the village of Castri was donated to the Church of Lecce by the Norman count Tancredi d’Altavilla. It belonged to the table of the bishop of Lecce until 1262, the year in which the lineage was divided into two parts (Castrifrancone and Castriguarino). Part of it was sold to Olivi De Lettere, while the other part went to the Bonsecolo family.
Since 1709 both villages belonged to the Vernazza family; however, two distinct realities continued to exist. Following the city council’s resolution of 12 November 1891, by royal decree, the division was cancelled and the two villages were unified.
Castri Guarino (rebuilt in the mid-17th century on the foundations of a 16th century structure). With the abolition of feudalism, the village was unified and in 1891 took the name of Castri, which was later modified and the accent in “i” removed and still remains under the name of Castri di Lecce.
CASTRI DI LECCE
The gastronomic Castri di Gusto is organized by the city of Castri di Lecce in collaboration with GUS and CSI to promote local productions.
Castri di Gusto is a gastronomic event designed to promote local productions and increase social opportunities. The event is characterized and distinguished by its uniqueness as it has a social soul with integration and solidarity initiatives open to all populations and all ages. The entire Castri community is involved and committed to days full of initiatives and events.
More than 150 exhibitors, present their products with the expression of unique competences in the processing and production of products from the soil, confectionery, handicrafts, artistic expressions and much more.
The purpose of the tour and the event itself is not only the promotion of products and traditions, but above all the active participation in sharing and social integration, thus promoting especially the involvement of immigrant children from GUS through the various associations (CSI, GUS, PROLOCO , IMPRESE DI PUGLIA, TELETHON), providing involvement with traditions and customs and helping the “Castri di Lecce” community to grow more and more in the concept of equality and integration, sharing intercultural traditions.
Saint Maria of Grace Church (17th century. Preserves a valuable high altar from 1652, the work of Donato Chiarello da Copertino)
The park is managed exclusively by the WWF. A naturalistic point of view with different habitats, with a high number of plant species and the presence of many species of birds and Mediterranean flora. There are 620 hectares spread alongside the coast.
Symbol of the Southern Renaissance. A project by Gian Giacomo experimented a secular IDEAL CITY, that is, a city born with specific features, with a well-defined idea and form that are detached from the main themes and religious symbols.
Described in different dimensions (2.76 m) by Cosimo De Giorgi on July 24, 1883, this menhir, probably accidentally dropped and truncated at the top, marked by some notches along two edges, is now located in the square side of the chapel.
In the spring of 1996, after a collapse of the road surface it became visible. The date “1703” has been drawn on a piece of Lecce stone and probably attests its origin. Inside, two old mill wheels are still visible.
The archaeological site located on the Adriatic coast of Puglia, a few kilometres from the modern city of Melendugno and close to the city of Lecce, produced some of the best-preserved monumental architecture of the Bronze Age (2nd millennium BC) in southern Italy, along with the largest set of Mycenaean pottery that has already been recovered west of mainland Greece.
It has the impressive “Cave of Poetry”, listed among the 10 most beautiful natural pools in the world according to “National Geographic”. Surrounded by a beautiful and impressive rocky landscape and the clear blue waters of the Adriatic Sea, it certainly guarantees an unforgettable experience. Its name derives from having been the scene of cult practices involving the writing of thousands of dedications to a local deity in three languages: Greek, Messapian and Latin, in the Iron Age and in classical times.
Pilgrims travel to the iconic Basilica di San Nicola, which was built in 1089 to house the stolen relics of the saint who would later become Santa Claus. Its facade, framed by two low towers, has a Romanesque style. Visit the crypt and learn about the intriguing history behind this church.
Visit the church to appreciate the imposing marble columns and arches above the nave. Note the sophisticated art of Romanesque capitals atop the pillars. Among the highlights of the church is the bishop’s throne, which is made of marble and is located in the apse. It is adjacent to the monument to Bona Sforza, who was Queen of Poland and Duchess of Bari in the 16th century.
In its crypt, it is possible to see the famous relics of Saint Nicholas. His silver and gold relics reached Bari and were supposedly stolen by sailors from their original tomb in Mira.
The basilica is open to the public from Monday to Saturday, from morning until early evening.
The Basilica of San Nicola is located near the Port of Bari in the historic center district in the northern part of Bari. Walk north from Bari train station for just over 1.5 kilometers until you reach the church. Visit nearby attractions such as Bari Cathedral, Chiesa dei Veneziani and Castello Normanno.
The extraordinary Old Town consists of narrow, winding streets, making it a lovely place to stroll. You will find all the important medieval monuments such as the Swabian castle and many churches including the Cathedral of San Sabino and the Basilica of San Nicola. When hunger strikes, there are plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy some delicious food!
Camillo Rosalba 47/K, 70124, Bari, Italy
Paolo Lembo 32, 70124, Bari, Italy
Sandro Pertini, 73020 Castri di Lecce, Italy
Martano 127, 73010 Caprarica di Lecce, Italy
Piazza Mazzini – Guglielmo Oberdan 10, 73100, Lecce, Italy
Luigi de Simone 12, 73100, Lecce, Italy
To get to Castri Di Lecce, you will have to get a flight to Bari or Brindisi (Salento Airport). After that you can rent a car and drive to Castri di Lecce, enjoying the beautiful landscape on the path.
Avviso pubblico per l’organizzazione di iniziative di ospitalità’ di giornalisti e opinion leader promosse dai comuni o unioni di comuni della regione puglia e finalizzate alla conoscenza del territorio e dei suoi attrattori materiali ed immateriali annualita’ 2019 per la realizzazione dell’iniziativa di ospitalità “comuni ed unione dei comuni 2019” – COMUNE DI CASTRI DI LECCE – CUP F89D19000070006
