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Relax moments, culture and gastronomy in Pugliese Salento, where the traces of antique populations are kept and local traditions perpetuate.
Oria is a characteristic village located in Brindisi territory, in which blossomed a rich community, settled here from 70 A.D. until 1.300. In the antique citadel a little streets labyrinth articulates climbing on to the rock, where rises up the impressive Svevia’s Federico II castle that, from its position, dominates both the Jonio Sea and the Adriatic Sea. The emperor chose this dwelling to wait for his bride Jolanda of Brienne who came from East, then the two of them married in 1225, in Brindisi Dome. In Oria Federico passed his time hunting in the forest and organizing parties and tournaments. The “Rioni Tournament” is celebrated today still, every year in August, with a medieval picturesque historical parade and “Palio” that take place in the streets of the village. The castle can still be visited today, even though it is a private ownership.
SEA, ART CITY AND OLD TOWN CENTRE
Organizing a holiday in Salento, also at the beginning of autumn season, it is possible to choose the preferred beach among many of them, for example, that of Torre Lapillo that is located on the Jonio Sea, where erects the Guard Tower of 1500 and is found “La Pineta” beach. Otherwise the golden beach of Campomarino, in Taranto territory, with the “Fuori Rotta” shore, still on the Ionic coast. But it can be visited also town centres, museums and admired rich art cities.
FRANCAVILLA FONTANA
It is a pretty city in Brindisi territory that charms tourists with the majesty of the neoclassical and baroque palaces in its town centre and the Imperiali castle that hosts the Municipality, with the artistic “loggia” sculpted in the Pugliese stone. On the principal place erects the first church with the higher dome of Salento, then the liguorini father’s church with altars and ornamental friezes in pure gold, in the end Santa Chiara’s church. In the last one are conserved the Mysteries statues: 14 papier-mâché statues realized between the XIX century and the first years of XX century that parade in a great procession during the Good Friday. Francavilla Fontana is known for some of its gastronomically delights, like as the “Riccio”: an almond covered with sugar obtained by handcrafted working and the “Pampanella”: a fresh ricotta wrapped in fig leaves.
VILLA CASTELLI
It is a rural centre in which the Municipality is located in a restored hunting house owned by the Francavilla Fontana Lords, the Imperial ones. At the lower floors is situated Magna Grecian’s museum that collects archaeological evidences found at the Villa Castelli. This place is famous for its “Gravina”, a gorge in the centre of the city. In the gorge blossoms a unique flower in Mediterranean area: the “Campanula Versicolor” that grows only in his area and in the Attica region in Greece. Villa Castelli is also famous for its “Pasta Reale”: an exquisite dessert made with almond paste and sugar.
GREEDY STOP-OVER IN SALENTO
Salento distinguishes for its production of high quality olive oil and wine. Among Oria, Villa Castelli and Francavilla Fontana a stop-over can be made in three excellent companies. Between Manduria and Oria Dantona agricultural company gates open with its delicious, quiet and elegant B&B immersed in nature. Here it is possible to taste and buy three different extra virgin olive oils obtained by autochthon olives. In Villa Castelli it can be tasted and bought the wine produced by the agricultural company Melillo, where are held also taste laboratories (www.melillo.biz ) and it doesn’t miss honey, extra virgin olive oil, marmalade and oil compotes. A suggested stop also in the Cassese oil mill that produces extra virgin olive oil and in which can be bought other tasty products, such pasta, vegetable pâtés, vegetables in oil, typical baked products and almond milk.
By Clara Dodino
