Located in the eastern Salento area, Carpignano Salentino is a charming village that preserves a great historical and cultural heritage. Although it is less known than the other cities of Salento such as Lecce, Otranto or Gallipoli, Carpignano Salentino is a perfect destination for those seeking an authentic experience away from the crowded tourist destinations. In this article we will discover what to do and see, how to get there and much more.
Where is Carpignano Salentino located?
Carpignano Salentino, also known as Carpignànu in the Salento dialect and Καρπιν̌ιάνα, Karpignàna in Grico, is a town in the province of Lecce, in Puglia. Located in eastern Salento, it also includes the hamlet of Serrano.
Since 2005, it has been part of the union of municipalities of the Grecìa Salentina, an area of Salento that has been influenced by the Greek culture and language over the centuries. However, Griko has not been spoken in the municipality of Carpignano Salentino since the 19th century.
How to get to Carpignano Salentino?
The easiest way to travel in Salento is by car, however, there are several options to get to Carpignano Salentino: strong>
- By plane: the airport closest to Carpignano Salentino is Brindisi airport, which is about 80 kilometers. From the airport, you can rent a car or reach Lecce and take a bus from here FSE to reach the village.
- By train: the railway station closest to Carpignano Salentino is Lecce station, which is about 25 kilometres. From the station, you can take a bus or rent a car to reach the municipality.
- By bus: there are buses that connect Carpignano Salentino to other cities in Salento, such as Lecce, Gallipoli and Otranto. You can check the timetables and fares on the websites of the FSE or Salento in Bus bus companies.
- By car: you can reach Carpignano Salentino by car via the SS16 freeway or the A14 motorway.
What to see in Carpignano Salentino?
The presence of man in Carpignano Salentino dates back to remote times, as evidenced by the discovery of some menhirs: the Grassi menhir and the Croce Grande or Staurotomèa menhir. Not only that, a tomb dating back to a few thousand years before Christ was recently found in the historic centre. The history of this village can be perceived in every corner of its centre, where important historic buildings are found, characterized by narrow paved streets and traditional houses with colored and balconies adorned with flowers.
Walking through the streets of the town, in fact, is like taking a step back in time, immersed in the daily life of a typical Apulian village. Qthen, what to see in Carpignano Salentino?
Torre Colombaia
The dovecote tower is a large cylindrical structure, equipped with small cells, created to house birds, especially doves, which were bred for various purposes such as agriculture, and in particular the fertilization of the land, hunting, food or for protection purposes. In Carpignano Salentino there are three, one of which, close to the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Grotta, is the largest in Salento. It was built during the fifteenth century by the ancient nobles of the place, as can be seen from the coats of arms of the Del Balzo and Del Balzo-Brienne families.
Crypt of Santa Cristina
The Crypt of Santa Cristina, also known as the Crypt of the Madonna delle Grazie, is a Byzantine casket that houses some of the oldest and most precious frescoes in southern Italy.
Made by the painters Theophylact in 959 AD, Eustathius in 1020 AD. and Constantine around 1050 AD, these representations are visible in the left and right apses of the rock church and are accompanied by inscriptions in Greek with the names of the patrons and artists. In addition to the frescoes, the church-crypt has a series of minor decorations and important elements, such as the eighteenth-century altar dedicated to the Madonna delle Grazie. This chapel represents the first testimony of the Byzantine Greek rite in the area and one of the oldest places of worship in Puglia.
MusArCa
The MusArCa is the Museum of the History of Carpignano Salentino, a small space that houses historical evidence dating back over 6000 years ago, like the Neolithic pottery of the prehistoric settlement up to the findings of the 60s. Through descriptive panels and a series of archaeological finds from the activities carried out in the area over the years, the museum offers visitors a complete itinerary on the history of the city. The museum is located right in the historic center and is part of the National Association of Small Museums .
Frantoio ipogeo
After the arrival of the Byzantines in the 9th century, the economy and trade of oil replaced that of wheat. For this reason, instead of the granaries of the Messapian era, the underground oil mills were built, built underground as they ensured better conservation of the oil. Visiting the underground oil mill of Carpignano is a wonderful experience, which will allow you to discover the life of the millers of the past.
Menhir
The menhirs are important megalithic testimonies, for this reason we suggest you see:
- Menhir Grassi: located 2 km from the town center in the Mauriani district. 3.30 m high, the main face is 50 cm wide while the lateral one is 21 cm.
- Menhir Croce Grande Staurotomea: located near the Sanctuary, with a height of 1.58 meters. In 1942 it was 4.10 meters high, but over time it has undergone removals and splits.
How far is Carpignano Salentino from the sea?
Carpignano Salentino is located in the hinterland of Salento and is about 15 kilometers from the Adriatic Sea and about 35 kilometers from the Ionian Sea</strong >. The closest seaside resorts on the Adriatic coast are Otranto and Torre dell’Orso, while those on the Ionian coast are Gallipoli, Santa Maria al Bagno and Porto Selvaggio. All these resorts are easily reachable by car or bus from the center of Carpignano Salentino. However, the municipality is also located in a strategic position for visiting the inland of Salento, which offers a great variety of landscapes and tourist attractions.
How far is Carpignano from Lecce?
The distance between Carpignano Salentino and Lecce is about 25 kilometres. The car is the best way to reach Lecce from Carpignano Salentino, however there are also several lines< span style=”font-weight: 400;”> bus.
Around
The small village of Carpignano Salentino is located in a favorable position compared to many other points of interest in Salento and this allows you to discover the many beauties surrounding. So here are what to see near Carpignano Salentino:
- Martano a 4 km;
- Castrignano De’ Greci 6 km;
- Borgagne a 5,8 km;
- Maglie a 10,7 km;
- Galatina a 17 km;
- Giurdignano a 17 km;
- Otranto a 16 km;
- Torre dell’Orso a 16 km;
- Melendugno a 11 km;
- San Foca a 17,4 km;
- Baia dei Turchi a 16 km;
- Cutrofiano a 19,5 km;
- Lecce a 28 km;
- Cursi a 7 km;
- Roca e Grotta della Poesia a 17 km;
- Faraglioni di Sant’Andrea a 12,4 km.
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