Salento

Salento is a special place at the very bottom of Italy, in a region called Apulia. It is located on a small part of land that sticks out like the heel of Italy's boot shape. Salento has a rich history and many cultural traditions that make it unique.

The area includes the whole Province of Lecce, most of the Province of Brindisi (except for a few towns), and part of the Province of Taranto. People there speak different dialects, adding to the region's diverse culture.

Salento is known for its beautiful landscapes, old buildings, and strong sense of community. It is an important part of Italy's history and culture, attracting visitors who come to see its charm and learn about its past.

Etymology

Long ago, the land we now call Salento was known as Sallentina or Messapia. The name Calabria was first used for this area during Roman and early Byzantine times. Over time, the term Calabria was used for more western areas, and by the 10th century, it came to refer to the region we now know as Calabria.

History

In the eleventh century BC, people called the Iapygians moved to Apulia from the Illyrian coast. This area was called Messapia by the Greeks, who later arrived from Sparta and named the place Magna Grecia.

In the fourth century BC, the Roman Empire built the Appian Way, a road connecting Rome to Apulia. The Romans took control of the region in 272 BC and called it Calabria. They grew wheat and made olive oil. Later, the Roman Empire split into regions, and Salento became part of Apulia and Calabria.

During the Byzantine time, Greek culture grew stronger in Salento. People spoke Greek and followed the Byzantine traditions.

The Lombards tried to take over the area but were stopped by the Byzantines. Later, the Saracens attacked some towns but Salento remained under Byzantine control.

In 1016, the Normans arrived and brought prosperity. Apulia became part of the Holy Roman Empire and later the Kingdom of Naples.

In 1480, the Ottomans attacked Otranto. Many people were killed when they refused to change their beliefs. Towns built walls to protect themselves.

In 1713, Austria took control of Salento but Spain took over in 1734. In 1806, feudal society was ended in the Kingdom of Naples.

Following this, the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily joined to form the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

In 1861, Apulia became part of the new Kingdom of Italy.

In 1922, efforts were made to grow more grain, olives, and wine. During World War II, Salento was bombed as Allied forces tried to remove German troops.

Geography

Salento is a special area in Italy shaped like the heel of a boot. It is made mostly of limestone and sits between the Gulf of Taranto to the west and the Strait of Otranto to the east. The Adriatic Sea lies to the north, and the Ionian Sea is to the south.

The weather in Salento is warm and dry in summer and mild and rainy in winter. It is good for growing olives, citrus fruits, and palm trees. The flat land and nearby seas mean the area can be windy all year. Winter temperatures stay around the teens in degrees Celsius, and snow is very rare. Summer can get very hot, sometimes reaching 40°C or more during heatwaves.

Culture

Language

In Salento, people mainly speak the Salentino dialect, which is part of the Extreme Southern Italian language group. In some towns far from the coast, an old Hellenic dialect called Griko is also spoken.

Food and gastronomy

Salento has many tasty dishes. One popular food is orecchiette, which is ear-shaped pasta often served with tomato sauce and strong creamy cheese or with rapini greens. Another dish is Parmigiana di melanzane, made with aubergines, tomato sauce, and cheeses like mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano. Pitta di patate is a savory pie made from mashed potatoes. Turcinieddhri, also called gnummareddi, is grilled lamb offal. Purciaddruzzi are small, fried, hand-made cookies with honey, enjoyed during Christmas.

Transportation

The closest big airports are Brindisi and Bari. There is a two-lane highway that links Salento to Bari. The main train line stops at Lecce, and smaller trains go to other places.

Some fun spots to visit by boat are in Taranto, Brindisi, Campomarino di Maruggio, Gallipoli, Santa Maria di Leuca, and Otranto.

Tourism

The Ciolo cave in the province of Lecce is one of the main places tourists visit.

Salento’s sagre food festivals are lively events that showcase local dishes, cooking traditions, and culture. These feasts welcome everyone and offer a great way to learn about Salento’s cuisine.

The coastal towers in Salento are old watchtowers built to protect the coast from attacks. The first towers may have been built by the Normans. Many of these towers date from the 15th and 16th centuries, and some are now ruins.