Salento means not only sea, let’s discover Corigliano D’Otranto and Specchia

admin18 April 20212 Mins read249 Views

Corigliano D’Otranto and Specchia: what have the two small villages of Salento in common? Not everyone knows it, but these two locations have been awarded by the “Bandiera arancione”, the award given by the Touring Club (an italian association which promote the beauties of Italy) to of the inland municipalities for their excellence.

Everyone knows that Salento is famous above all for its beaches, but those who come on holiday here certainly notices how much beauty and tradition there is, even in the small villages far from the coast, full of history and tradition.

“Bandiera Arancione”, awarded since 1998, is a tourist-environmental quality mark. Beauty of the historical-cultural heritage and quality in welcoming tourists have made Specchia and Corigliano d’Otranto the two of the most beautiful villages of Apulia.

CORIGLIANO D’OTRANTO – One of the most characteristic villages of Grecìa Salentina, thanks to the typical courtyard houses that embellish the old town and cultural centre, thanks to the activities that take place inside Castello De’ Monti, an ancient manor with a noble baroque facade.

Just 25 km from Lecce, the richness of the traditions of the small town is even reflected in the local language, the griko, an ancient legacy of the Hellenic domination. The names of the streets are also of Byzantine derivation. The Lucchetti Arch, which surmounts the entrance to a small courtyard, tells, through the Byzantine symbols carved in stone, the love of a man for his bride.

SPECCHIA – The small town in southern Salento (about 54 km from Lecce) already boasts a prestigious award, namely the mention among the “most beautiful villages in Italy”. In fact, walking through the sunny streets, where time seems to have stopped and where life passes slowly, it is not hard to understand why the village has earned these awards.

A maze of intricate alleys, courtyard houses with balconies in bloom and crossroads embellished with traditional niches with saints: the historic center of Specchia, now a widespread hotel, is an experience for the eyes!

The most famous buildings to seal this splendor are Risolo Castle, the Convent of the Black Franciscans and the Column of Immunity, so called because it was enough to touch it to not being arrested. A town with a thousand virtues, Specchia is known for its quality of life, for the use of renewable sources and for its underground oil mills.