{"id":41971,"date":"2024-03-01T18:16:18","date_gmt":"2024-03-01T18:16:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/melpignano-what-to-do-and-see-history-and-events-2023\/"},"modified":"2025-03-08T12:40:08","modified_gmt":"2025-03-08T12:40:08","slug":"melpignano-what-to-do-and-see-history-and-events-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/en\/melpignano-what-to-do-and-see-history-and-events-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Melpignano: what to do and see, history and events"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the heart of Salento, in Puglia, there is a small town that holds a priceless treasure of beauty and traditions: <\/span><b>Melpignano<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This charming village, with its cobbled streets and monuments, represents an authentic gem that oozes history and culture. In this article you will find out what makes Melpignano such a special place: <\/span><b>history, events, activities and things to see<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KyQuzHd9Y1A\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><strong>The History of Melpignano<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><b> history of Melpignano<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has its roots in the Bronze Age , as evidenced by the numerous <\/span><b>menhirs and dolmens<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> present in the area, tangible traces of the first settlements. However, the exact origin of the center remains uncertain<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. According to various hypotheses, it could go back to the<\/span><b> Greeks of the Peloponnese<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who arrived with Enotrio Arcade, or it could have been founded by Melpinius, a centurion who obtained these lands after the Roman occupation of the then Calabria in 267 BC. A suggestive mythological hypothesis links the foundation of the town to the muse Melpomene.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the Roman period, Melpignano was certainly colonized and subsequently fell under<\/span><b> Greek-Byzantine domination <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for over five centuries, undergoing a significant influence on the local culture, traditions and language. The Greek influence still persists today in the traditions and folklore of the region.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the arrival of the Normans, the feud was assigned to Giambattista Lettere in 1190 and then passed to Raimondo Orsini del Balzo in 1396. During the 15th century, through King Ferrante of Aragon, was ceded to the Aiello Tarantini. Over the centuries,<\/span><b> various feudal families succeeded one another at the helm of the fiefdom<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including the Moscos, the Ramirez, the Branai ( Granai) Castriota (1632-1667), descendants of Vrana Konti, and the Acquaviva d&#8217;Aragona. In 1757, Melpignano became the property of the Marquises de Luca, who were the last feudal lords of the place.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the abolition of the feudal system in 1806, Melpignano was aggregated with Castrignano de&#8217; Greci, forming a single municipality until 1 January 1837, when the two municipalities obtained autonomy administrative. This marked an important moment in the history of Melpignano, since from that moment on it would become an independent municipality with a unique history and culture to preserve and enhance.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Origins of the name &#8220;Melpignano&#8221;<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The origin of the name Melpignano offers several interesting hypotheses. It could derive from the<\/span><b> Latin name of person &#8220;Melpinius&#8221; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">with the addition of the suffix &#8220;anus&#8221;, indicating a land property linked to Melpinius. Another theory suggests that the name comes from the <\/span><b>muse &#8220;Melpomene<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;, linking it to culture and art. Finally, another theory hypothesizes a derivation from the word<\/span><b> &#8220;honey&#8221;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, since the production of honey was an important source of income in the area. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>What to see in Melpignano?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <strong>Melpignano<\/strong>, there are several attractions of historical and artistic interest to visit. Let&#8217;s see them together:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0The <\/span><b>Mother Church of San Giorgio<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, dating back to the first decades of the 16th century, has a fa\u00e7ade with a 16th-century portal depicting Saint George slaying the dragon. Inside, there are Baroque altars dedicated to various religious figures and sixteenth-century frescoes that adorn the presbytery.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-35381 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/chiesa-madre-di-san-Giorgio-di-Melpignano.jpg\" alt=\" chiesa-madre-di-san-Giorgio-di-Melpignano\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Church of the Assumption of the Virgin<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, built in the early 16th century, retains its original architectural structure with a stellar ribbed vault. The current facade, from 1678, partially hides the original one and has a portal attributed to the sculptor Placido Buffelli. Inside, you can admire a mosaic floor, a large altar and various 18th century canvases depicting the Marian mysteries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Church and Convent of the Augustinians<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with the annexed Carmine church, was built starting from 1573 and restored in 1638. The church has a Baroque fa\u00e7ade with an elaborate portal and a window with an arched tympanum. Inside, there is a sixteenth-century choir and six side chapels with sculpted altars.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-35380\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Chiesa-e-Convento-degli-Agostiniani-melpignano.jpg\" alt=\"Chiesa-e-Convento-degli-Agostiniani-melpignano\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other notable chapels include the <\/span><b>Chapel of St. Anthony of Cairo<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which dates back to 1530, and the <\/span><b>Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, built in 1661 as thanks for protection during a plague epidemic. Furthermore, there is the <\/span><b>Cappella di San Michele Arcangelo<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with an altar and a statue attributed to Oronzo Carrone, and the&lt;\/ span&gt;<b> Chapel of San Pietro d&#8217;Alcantara<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, belonging to a wealthy family and decorated with a canvas depicting San Pietro d&#8217;Alcantara and statues of others saints.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the Melpignano area, moreover, you can admire several megalithic monuments, including menhirs and dolmens, which, as we mentioned, represent <\/span><b>historical evidence of great interest<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. One of them is the<\/span><b> Menhir Minonna<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, an imposing 280 cm high monolith, located in the town of Melpignano, precisely in via IV November. Another noteworthy menhir is the <\/span><b>Candelora Menhir<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, whose pyramid-shaped monolith is incorporated into the boundary wall of a factory industry dedicated to the extraction and processing of Lecce stone. <\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_35382\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-35382\" style=\"width: 1280px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-35382\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/1280px-Menhir_Minonna_Melpignano.jpg\" alt=\"Menhir_Minonna_Melpignano\" width=\"1280\" height=\"960\" title=\"\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-35382\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Menhir Minonna Melpignano &#8211; Foto di Lupiae by Wikipedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other menhirs in the area include the<\/span><b> Menhir Lama<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, characterized by a parallelepiped shape 420 cm high, and the <\/span><b>Menhir Scin\u00e9o<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which has recently been placed upright on a two-level base. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, the <\/span><b>Menhir Chipuro<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, recently discovered, is a monolith of Lecce stone with a parallelepiped shape tapering at the top, 184 cm high. These megalithic monuments offer a fascinating testimony of the ancient civilizations that inhabited the Melpignano region.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>The Night of the Taranta in Melpignano<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The small town of Melpignano has hosted one of the most<\/span><b> important summer events in Salento for 26 years<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lanottedellataranta.it\/it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Night of the Taranta<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font -weight: 400;\">, event with international resonance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This festival<\/span><b> celebrates the tradition of pizzica<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a form of &lt;\/ span&gt;<b>Salento popular music and dance <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">much loved and felt by the local population and beyond. The evening attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world, eager to immerse themselves in the magic and contagious energy of pizzica. <\/span><b>Internationally renowned artists<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> perform on stage, accompanied by a large orchestra and dancers who involve the audience in extraordinary choreography. The Notte della Taranta represents a moment of great celebration and celebration of Salento roots and culture, creating a bridge between ancient traditions and new generations. It is an unforgettable experience that allows participants to experience the authentic spirit of pizzica and to appreciate the cultural richness of Melpignano and Salento as a whole. After the success of the <\/span><b>night of the taranta 2022 in Melpignano<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the 2023 edition will be held on August 26.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dypsbQCdC9U\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><strong>How is the sea in Melpignano?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although Melpignano is not a coastal town, its territory still offers the possibility to easily reach some of the most beautiful <\/span><b>beaches of Salento<\/b>&lt; span style=&#8221;font-weight: 400;&#8221;&gt;. Located in the central part of the province of Lecce, Melpignano is a short distance from the Adriatic and Ionian coasts. Among the most famous beaches within easy reach of Melpignano are Torre dell&#8217;Orso, Otranto, Gallipoli, Santa Cesarea Terme, Castro, San Foca and Porto Cesareo.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Where to eat in Melpignano?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to discover the typical Salento cuisine or taste dishes based on local products, there are several <\/span><b>restaurants in Melpignano<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Whether you are looking for fine dining or a casual meal you are sure to find what you need! Here are some recommended venues:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Portico San Giorgio;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Melpigos Taverna;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tzich\u00ec.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Chiesa-e-Convento-degli-Agostiniani-melpignano.jpg<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the heart of Salento, in Puglia, there is a small town that holds a priceless treasure of beauty and traditions: Melpignano. This charming village, with its cobbled streets and monuments, represents an authentic gem that oozes history and culture. In this article you will find out what makes Melpignano such a special place: history, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":41972,"comment_status":"closed","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-41971","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\/41971","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\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41971"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41971\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41972"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41971"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}