Giuggianello is a small and charming town located in the south-eastern part of Salento, in province of Lecce. Framed by beautiful countryside and surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, Giuggianello is a hidden gem that offers visitors an authentic experience and a lovely atmosphere.
The country is also known for its folk traditions and festivals, which celebrate the Salento culture and offer a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the daily life of the local community.
In addition to its rural beauty, Giuggianello is also strategically located for exploring beautiful beaches and historic towns surrounding. In this article you will discover its history, origins, things to see and do, where to eat and where to go to the beach nearby.
History of Giuggianello
Giuggianello, an ancient settlement inhabited since the Neolithic period, preserves</ span> significant archaeological evidence such as the cave of the Madonna della Serra and the megalithic monuments scattered in the surrounding countryside . In its surroundings there were the medieval farmhouses of Quattro Macine and Polisano, of which only a few traces remain today. The hamlet of Giuggianello, which originated in the 9th century after the destruction of Muro Leccese by the Saracens in 924, saw the arrival of refugees from Murcia, causing a considerable increase in population. In 1192, with the arrival of the Normans, the farmhouse was incorporated into the County of Lecce and subsequently passed under the control of the Principality of Taranto. In 1434, under the government of Giovanni Antonio Orsini Del Balzo, Giuggianello obtained the privilege of delimiting its fief from the neighboring towns. Over the centuries, various feudal lords fought for control of the feud, including the Martino, the Basurto, the Guarini and the Veris. In 1641, Giovan Battista Lubelli bought the feud and obtained the title of Baron. In 1749, with the extinction of the Lubelli family, the feud passed to the Regio Fisco and was subsequently acquired by the Church of Otranto, which controlled it until the abolition of feudalism in 1806. In 1827, Giuggianello was a small agricultural town with a population of about 600 inhabitants.
Where is Giuggianello?
The municipality of Giuggianello is located in the part < b>south-eastern of the Salento peninsula and extends over an area of 10.06 km², with an elongated shape in an east-south-west direction.< /span>
Giuggianello is located less than 37 km from Lecce, 14 km from Otranto, 41 km from Gallipoli and from Santa Maria di Leuca. It borders to the north with Palmariggi, to the east with Giurdignano and Minervino di Lecce, to the south with Poggiardo</ b>, to the southwest with Sanarica and to the west with < /span>Muro Leccese.
What to see in Giuggianello?
Despite its small size, Giuggianello offers various attractions and places of interest to visit. Here are some things to see in Giuggianello:
- Church of Sant’Antonio Abate: It is an 18th-century church built on the site of an earlier building. It is characterized by a facade in Lecce stone and contains altars dedicated to various saints.
- Church of the Madonna Assunta: Dating back to the 16th century, this church was modified in 1782. It is also known as Church of the Madonna dei Poveri and has a simple façade with an architraved portal.
- Church of the Madonna della Serra: Renovated in 1615, this church is located in an interesting place from the point of view landscape and archaeology. It is surrounded by centuries-old olive trees and near it there are a Neolithic cave and the remains of a Messapian tower.
- Crypt of San Giovanni Battista: This crypt dates back to the X-XI century and is of Byzantine origin. It is carved into the limestone rock and contains frescoes and an altar dedicated to St. John the Baptist.
- Palazzo Frisari-Bozzi Colonna: An example of extra-urban architecture, this palace was built in the 18th and 19th centuries. It has an austere facade and inside there are noble rooms decorated with mythological scenes.
- Palazzo Pirtoli: This palace dates back to the first decades of the 19th century and is characterized by a neoclassical facade. Inside there are large rooms with frescoes and barrel vaults.
- Hypogean oil mill: An underground oil mill dating back to the 18th century, it has an area of 850 m² and has storage rooms and a tank for the extraction of olive oil.
- Castello dei Lubelli: Originally a defensive tower, it was later transformed into a castle in the 17th century. It has a monumental portal and a coat of arms of the Lubelli family.
- Archaeological sites: Giuggianello is home to some megalithic monuments, including the menhirs of Polisano and Quattromacine, and the dolmens of Stabile and Hours. Furthermore, it is possible to admire the Massi della Vecchia, the Furticiddhu della Vecchia, the Letto della Vecchia and the Foot of Hercules.
- The “La cutura” Giuggianello botanical garden, hosts a great variety of plant species from different parts of the world.
Giuggianello botanical garden
We want to focus in particular on the “la Cutura” botanical park in Giuggianello, one of the main attractions of the area and a place that definitely worth a visit. This extraordinary corner of paradise, born from stone and located in an old country estate built in the characteristic 19th century rural style, extends over an area of 35 hectares and is famous for its large collection of rare plants, especially succulents and tropical plants.
Inside this enchanting garden, along the suggestive paths decorated with roses, between gardens of aromatic plants and flowerbeds of Mediterranean and medicinal plants, guests can admire a small lake inhabited by papyrus and water lilies, a rock garden, a citrus grove and a forest of holm oaks. An impressive attraction is a spacious greenhouse, which covers over 1000 square meters and houses over 2000 specimens of succulents from different parts of the world.
In addition, inside the park you will find a restaurant called “Dejeuner sur l’Herbe”, which offers a simple and refined menu, a true hymn to culinary tradition with a touch of innovation.
Giuggianello mare
Although located inland, Giuggianello is not that far from the coast, especially from the Adriatic coast which is less than 15 km away.
So here are the beaches you can easily reach:
- Castro Marina: Located about 15 kilometers from Giuggianello, this area is characterized by crystal clear waters and a rocky coast fascinating. It is surrounded by cliffs and offers a breathtaking panoramic view.
- Porto Badisco beach: About 20 kilometers from Giuggianello, this beach is famous for its natural beauty and its turquoise waters. It is a tiny and extremely suggestive bay, ideal for snorkeling and swimming among the rich marine fauna.</ li>
- Santa Cesarea Terme: Located about 22 kilometers from Giuggianello, it is famous for its < b>thermal waters and the cliffs that surround it. It is an ideal place to relax and enjoy regenerating baths.
- Bay of Porto Miggiano: About 25 kilometers from Giuggianello, this beach is characterized by a cove embraced by the high overhanging rock and crystalline waters.
- Otranto beach: About 30 kilometers from Giuggianello, Otranto beach is loved for its clear waters and crystalline. It offers a wide range of tourist services and a lively atmosphere.
Giuggianello restaurants
There are not many places where to eat in Giuggianello, but the proposal it is undoubtedly of a high standard. Here you can appreciate the authentic Salento flavors and traditional dishes, in a relaxed and pleasant setting. Here are some places to try:
- Il Fòllaro
- Agriturismo Serra Vecchia
- Trattoria Il Palazzo Di Antonaci Andrea
- Pizzeria Alba
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