Forget about the Italy you know. Forget about the Italy you see in the magazines, usually flooded with photos of pasta dishes and, fancy Italian cars and checkered table cloths. Welcome to Salento
My first visit to Puglia was a revelation. A place of contrasts that made me trully review the concept of "Italy". Salento is in Puglia, at the very bottom of the heel of Italy’s boot. Here the ancient meets the modern, the sea meets the land and the sacred meets the profane.
The starting point of this journey of discovery is Palazzo Piccinno, located in the charming villa of Parabita, in the heart of Salento.Here are three reasons why you should visit this enchanting region and experience its beauty for yourself:
History and Culture
Salento is truly a mix of so many things. It has a rich and diverse history that spans thousands of years. From the prehistoric megaliths and the Messapian civilization, to the Greek and Roman influences, to the Byzantine and Norman dominations, to the Baroque splendor and the Bourbon, Salento has witnessed and absorbed the traces of many cultures and peoples. And this mix resonates in everything you see, eat and even hear in the south. Still don't trust me? check out the tarantella dance (Alessandra Belloni could be a good start), the pizzica music, the griko dialect, and the festivals and celebrations that mark the seasons and the religious events.
And if you think that none of these unique features is enough, you have the Barocco Leccese, which is a unique style of baroque art and architecture that flourished in the 17th and 18th centuries, especially in the city of Lecce and its surroundings. Artists used the local limestone, a soft and malleable material that allowed them to create elaborate and intricate decorations, often inspired by natural motifs such as flowers, fruits, animals, and angels. The Barocco Leccese is also influenced by the oriental and exotic elements that arrived in Salento through trade and migration, such as the Turkish turbans, the Persian carpets, and the Chinese dragons. Some of the masterpieces include the Basilica of Santa Croce and the Church of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria in Galatina.
Food and Wine in Salento
Salento is known for its Cucina Povera. The food reflects times of scarcity in history, but also reflects a big creative deal in working with few ingredients. The result is a blend of simple and fresh ingredients, such as olive oil, tomatoes, vegetables, cheese, fish, and bread, that are combined in delicious and creative ways. And because you are surrounded by the sea, fish and seafood is never out of the menu. Orecchiette pasta, the friselle bread, the puccia sandwich, the pasticciotto pastry, and the rustico pie are just a few top things to try out.
Salento’s cuisine is also influenced by its geographical position and its history, as it reflects the tastes and traditions of the different peoples that inhabited or visited the region. For instance, you can find traces of the Greek culture in the use of fava beans, chicory, and cheese, as well as in the desserts such as the pasticciotto. You can also find traces of the Spanish and French cultures in the use of spices, such as saffron, cinnamon, and nutmeg, as well as in the desserts such as the zeppole, fried dough balls sprinkled with sugar and honey. We also have the Jewish culture in the use of vegetables, such as artichokes, eggplants, and zucchini, as well as in the desserts such as the purceddhruzzi, fried dough balls coated with honey and almonds.
You can also enjoy the excellent wines of Salento, such as the Primitivo, the Negroamaro, and the Malvasia, that are produced in the numerous vineyards and wineries that dot the landscape. One of our favorite wineries is Cantina Paolo Leo, run by a lovely family that love what they do (and checkout their first underwater winery in Puglia)
The Sea and the Nature
But the coastline was what captured my attention. 250 kilometers of coastline that offers a variety of landscapes and sceneries. Think about the freedom of driving looking for what you need, here and now: sandy beaches and rocky cliffs, turquoise waters and green pine forests, hidden coves and fishing villages, lighthouses and fortresses, caves and islands. You can swim, snorkel, dive, sail, kayak, or surf in the crystal clear sea, or relax, sunbathe, or picnic on the shore. You can also explore the inland of Salento, where you can find rolling hills and plains, olive groves and vineyards, orchards and gardens, farms and hamlets. You can hike, bike, horseback ride, or drive through the countryside, or visit the natural reserves and the botanical gardens that host a variety of flora and fauna.
One of the most spectacular and unique places to visit in Salento is the Regional Natural Park of Porto Selvaggio, a protected area of about 1,000 hectares that covers the coast between Nardò and Gallipoli and just a 30min drive from Palazzo Piccinno. The park is home to a rich biodiversity of plants and animals, such as the Aleppo pine, the holm oak, the orchid, the fox, the hedgehog, the badger, and the weasel. The park also features a stunning coastline, with rocky cliffs, pebbly beaches, and crystal clear waters, where you can admire the underwater caves, the coral reefs, and the marine life.
The Peace and slow living
Salento means peace. It means salty skin and beautiful sunsets. It is truly a place where you can enjoy the peace and slow living that are often missing in the hectic and stressful modern life. The environment invites you to slow down, to breathe, to feel, to do those things you never seem to have time for. The most important thing is to respect your own pace and no one else’s.
At Palazzo Piccinno, you can find a cozy and elegant atmosphere that embraces the philosophy of “il dolce far niente” (the sweetness of doing nothing). You can relax in the comfortable rooms, enjoy the panoramic views or simply hit the road and find your next favorite spot by the sun. Whatever you decide to do, you will feel the harmony and the serenity that Salento can offer you and we will guide you on that journey.
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