{"id":41767,"date":"2022-08-03T15:52:58","date_gmt":"2022-08-03T15:52:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/grecia-salentina-history-municipalities-traditions-and-restaurants-guide-2023\/"},"modified":"2025-03-08T12:53:23","modified_gmt":"2025-03-08T12:53:23","slug":"grecia-salentina-history-municipalities-traditions-and-restaurants-guide-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/en\/grecia-salentina-history-municipalities-traditions-and-restaurants-guide-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Grec\u00eca Salentina: history, municipalities, traditions and restaurants [guide]"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this article we will take you on an authentic journey to discover Grec\u00eca Salentina<\/strong>: a complete guide, starting with history and continuing with traditions, culture and gastronomy. If you want to visit the more typical Salento<\/strong>, the more off the beaten track one, then this area will be just right for you!<\/p>\n

Grec\u00eca Salentina<\/strong> is a Hellenic-speaking island of Salento and is made up of 9 municipalities where the neo-Greek dialect called griko<\/strong> is spoken. The seat of the Union is Martano, but let’s see together which are the municipalities of Grec\u00eca Salentina<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Grec\u00eca Salentina municipalities<\/h2>\n

The municipalities that make up Grec\u00eca Salentina<\/strong> have always been 9<\/strong>, but since 2007 other non-Greek-speaking towns have been added, reaching 60000 inhabitants in the entire area. There are currently 11 centres<\/strong> that make it up: Calimera, Carpignano Salentino, Castrignano dei Greci, Corigliano d’Otranto, Cutrofiano, Martano, Martignano, Melpignano, Soleto, Sternatia, Zollino<\/strong>. Griko is still spoken today, mainly by older people, especially in the municipalities of Sternatia, Martignano, Calimera, Corigliano d’Otranto, Zollino and Martano. Unfortunately, however, young people do not know the language and we will most likely one day lose this cultural side that is part of Grec\u00eca Salentina.<\/p>\n

History of Grec\u00eca Salentina<\/h2>\n

The arrival of Greeks in the Salento occurred both during Magna Graecia and during Byzantine rule, especially when many religious people emigrated due to the disputes over iconoclasm, in the 8th century, and following the military campaigns of Emperor Basil I. During this period, the numerous villages had Greek culture and language and practised the Greek Orthodox religion.<\/p>\n

Following the Norman conquest and the subsequent Swabian, Angevin, Aragonese and Spanish dominations, Catholic clergy and monks supplanted the Orthodox and the Greek language also fell into disuse. Unfortunately, after World War II, the number of people speaking Greek decreased even more.<\/p>\n

From the 1990s onwards, the Hellenic-speaking municipalities decided to unite to cooperate, with the aim of promoting their culture and ancient traditions, until June 8th 1990, when the Consortium of Municipalities of the Grec\u00eca Salentina<\/strong> was officially established. Then, in 1996, the Association of the Municipalities of Grec\u00eca Salentina<\/strong> was established to safeguard culture and language and to promote the territory. Finally, in 2001, the Union of the Municipalities of Grec\u00eca Salentina was established.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Grec\u00eca Salentina traditions<\/h2>\n

The Passion Song in Griko<\/h3>\n

Among the various traditions of Grec\u00eca Salentina<\/strong>, it is worth mentioning, in particular, that of the Easter period, during which the inhabitants used to listen to the story of the Passion of Christ during Holy Week. This is a religious song in the Grec\u00eca Salentina language of very ancient origins, which was sung, from the fifth Sunday of Lent until Holy Thursday, in the various municipalities.<\/p>\n

Usually, there were two or three singers and they accompanied their voices with the sound of the accordion, arousing great interest and emotion in the listeners. Today, unfortunately, the tradition has been lost, but when some singers reintroduce the song in the squares, they always manage to involve the people, recreating that magical atmosphere that takes the hands back in time.<\/p>\n

The Quaremma<\/h3>\n

Another tradition of Grac\u00eca Salentina<\/strong>, again linked to the Easter period, refers to the quaremma or coremma, a figure widespread throughout the Salento. The quaremma is a puppet depicting an old woman dressed in black, which was hung on terraces, windowsills or balconies, symbolising the end of Carnival and the beginning of Lent.
\nIn the making of this puppet, a sort of competition was created between those who made the most beautiful coremma. This character, rich in meanings, is basically a didactic allegory: it served as a reminder that the Church was going through a period of mourning, which is why all kinds of celebrations were forbidden and sacrifices and renunciations had to be made.<\/p>\n

What to see in Grec\u00eca Salentina<\/h2>\n

The area of Grec\u00eca Salentina<\/strong> is made up of gentle hills, olive groves and small but authentic villages where time seems to stand still. A typical trip to Salento cannot but include a stop in this area of the peninsula, which is full of things to tell. There are also many things to see in Grec\u00eca Salentina: let’s see them together!<\/p>\n

Sternatia<\/h3>\n

Here is what to see in Sternatia<\/strong>, a small, quiet village:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Granafei Palace<\/li>\n
  • Frantoio ipogeo (underground oil mill; to visit it you need to address to the village tourist office)<\/li>\n
  • Porta Filia<\/li>\n
  • Chiesa Matrice (Mother Church)<\/li>\n
  • Crypt of San Sebastiano<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \"Grecia<\/p>\n

    Calimera<\/h3>\n

    What to see in Calimera<\/strong>? Here are our recommendations:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Chapel of San Vito<\/li>\n
    • Salento Natural History Civic Museum<\/li>\n
    • Chiesa Matrice (Mother Church)<\/li>\n
    • Dolmen “Placa\u201d<\/li>\n
    • Dolmen Gurgulante<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Martignano<\/h3>\n

      Martignano<\/strong> is the smallest municipality in Grec\u00eca Salentina, but no less interesting for that. So here are the town’s main attractions:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Pozzelle Park<\/li>\n
      • Church of S. Maria dei Martiri<\/li>\n
      • Chapel of St John the Baptist<\/li>\n
      • Mantuan Chapel<\/li>\n
      • Convent of the Minor Franciscans<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Castrignano dei Greci<\/h3>\n

        If you want to visit Castrignano dei Greci<\/strong>, here is what you must not miss:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • Chiesa Matrice (Mother Church)<\/li>\n
        • Coia Palace<\/li>\n
        • Peschiulli Palace<\/li>\n
        • Comi Palace<\/li>\n
        • Clock Tower<\/li>\n
        • Castle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Martano<\/h3>\n

          Martano<\/strong> is the largest municipality in Grec\u00eca Salentina and here is what you can see:<\/p>\n

            \n
          • Baronial Palace<\/li>\n
          • Aragonese Castle<\/li>\n
          • Andrichi Moschettini Palace<\/li>\n
          • Archaeological sites including the Menhir of Theophilus and the Specchia dei Mori<\/li>\n
          • Chiesa Matrice (Mother Church)<\/li>\n
          • Chiesa Matrice (Mother Church) of Martano<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            \"Chiesa<\/p>\n

            Carpignano Salentino<\/h3>\n

            The small village of Carpignano Salentino<\/strong> is a fascinating discovery, especially walking through the narrow streets of its pretty old centre. Here you can visit:<\/p>\n

              \n
            • Ducal Palace<\/li>\n
            • Mediaeval walls<\/li>\n
            • Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Cave<\/li>\n
            • Byzantine Crypt<\/li>\n
            • Chiesa Matrice (Mother Church)<\/li>\n
            • The MusArCa Archaeological Museum<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              \"carpignano<\/p>\n

              Melpignano<\/h3>\n

              Melpignano<\/strong> is best known for the Notte della Taranta<\/strong>, but it also has many points of interest:<\/p>\n

                \n
              • Palazzo Marchesale<\/li>\n
              • Church of the Carmine<\/li>\n
              • Mother Church<\/li>\n
              • Piazza San Giorgio with the Clock Tower<\/li>\n
              • Former Augustinian convent<\/li>\n
              • Augustinian Convent Melpignano<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                \"Convento<\/p>\n

                Soleto<\/h3>\n

                Among the things to see in Soleto<\/strong> we suggest:<\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Old town<\/li>\n
                • Church of Santa Sofia<\/li>\n
                • Church of Santo Stefano<\/li>\n
                • Chiesa Matrice (Mother Church)<\/li>\n
                • Spire of Raimondello and Porta di San Vito<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  \"Via<\/p>\n

                  Zollino<\/h3>\n

                  Despite its small size, Zollino<\/strong> has so many things to see, here are some of them:<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • Votive column of San Pietro<\/li>\n
                  • Menhir Sant’Anna – Lumardu, and the Station Menhir<\/li>\n
                  • Dolmen Cranzari<\/li>\n
                  • Le Pozzelle<\/li>\n
                  • Frantoio ipogeo (underground oil mill<\/li>\n
                  • Church of Sant’Anna<\/li>\n
                  • Church of SS. Peter and Paul<\/li>\n
                  • Calvary<\/li>\n
                  • Our Lady of Loreto Chapel<\/li>\n
                  • St Joseph of Cupertino Chapel<\/li>\n
                  • St. Vitus Chapel<\/li>\n
                  • St. John the Baptist Chapel<\/li>\n
                  • Votive column of San Pietro in Zollino<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    \"Colonna<\/p>\n

                    Cutrofiano<\/h3>\n

                    Cutrofiano<\/strong> is small and pretty and it is the largest centre of ceramics production in southern Salento. Here are some things to see<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • Museum of Ceramics<\/li>\n
                    • Church of Maria SS. della Neve<\/li>\n
                    • Church of the Congrega dell’Immacolata<\/li>\n
                    • Ducal Palace<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      \"Grecia<\/p>\n

                      Corigliano d’Otranto<\/h3>\n

                      Corigliano d’Otranto<\/strong> is one of the liveliest and most charming municipalities of Grec\u00eca Salentina, with a very interesting old town. What to see in Corigliano?<\/strong> Here are our recommendations:<\/p>\n

                        \n
                      • Castle<\/li>\n
                      • Arch of the Lucchetti and Church of San Nicola<\/li>\n
                      • Dolmen Caroppo 1 and Caroppo 2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        \"castello<\/p>\n

                        Where to eat in Grec\u00eca Salentina<\/h2>\n

                        Are you looking for restaurants and places to eat in Grec\u00eca Salentina<\/strong>? We suggest some of the best in the area where you can try typical dishes of Salento gastronomy<\/strong> and more!<\/p>\n

                          \n
                        • La porta antica in Sternatia<\/li>\n
                        • Vesuvio 3 Ristorante Pizzeria in Calimera<\/li>\n
                        • Trattoria Nonna Consiglia in Martignano<\/li>\n
                        • Gusto in Castrignano dei Greci<\/li>\n
                        • Portico San Giorgio in Melpignano<\/li>\n
                        • Masseria Giamarra in Carpignano Salentino<\/li>\n
                        • Sole Griko in Soleto<\/li>\n
                        • Ristorantino Da Fabio in Zollino<\/li>\n
                        • Jack’n Jill in Cutrofiano<\/li>\n
                        • 400 Il Ristorantino in Corigliano d’Otranto<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          Tarantella pizzica Grec\u00eca Salentina<\/h2>\n

                          Many people believe that the tarantella and the pizzica are the same thing. In reality, although both refer to two types of dance typical of Salento<\/strong>, they have different meanings. Let\u2019s have look at them together:<\/p>\n

                          Tarantella<\/h3>\n

                          The tarantella<\/strong> or taranta is the oldest dance and originated mainly as a healing ritual. It is linked to the legend that men and women working in the fields were bitten by the spider Lycosa Tarentula<\/em>, or tarantula. It was said that after being bitten by this spider, people experienced abdominal and muscular pains, convulsions, delirium, a state of trance and fatigue, and that musical exorcism was therefore needed to heal them. That is why, with the music of the tarantella<\/strong>, people would begin to wiggle, just as if they were being exorcised.<\/p>\n

                          Pizzica<\/h3>\n

                          The pizzica<\/strong>, on the other hand, originated as a folk dance<\/strong> and is based on the tradition of the taranta. It is mainly a courtship dance between a man and a woman, but it is danced both in pairs and solo. The woman is the one who leads the dance, while the man dances around her and woos her without ever touching her. A real show that leaves speechless. Although less widespread, the pizzica is still danced today, especially during popular festivals and fairs in Salento<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

                          Grec\u00eca Salentina Marathon 2023<\/h2>\n

                          Did you know that the Grec\u00eca Salentina Marathon will be held Octoober 29th 2023<\/strong>? A route that will start in Calimera and will involve all the municipalities of Grec\u00eca Salentina. Discover all the details on the website.<\/p>\n

                          https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/melpignano.jpg<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                          In this article we will take you on an authentic journey to discover Grec\u00eca Salentina: a complete guide, starting with history and continuing with traditions, culture and gastronomy. If you want to visit the more typical Salento, the more off the beaten track one, then this area will be just right for you! Grec\u00eca Salentina […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":41768,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_glsr_average":0,"_glsr_ranking":0,"_glsr_reviews":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[93],"tags":[100],"class_list":["post-41767","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-location-guides","tag-localita-en"],"acf":[],"acfml_non_translatable_locations":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41767","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41767"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41767\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41768"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41767"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41767"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41767"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}