Caprarica di Lecce
Welcome to Caprarica di Lecce: a tour of our municipality
Hello everyone, welcome to Caprarica di Lecce! We are a municipality in the central-eastern Salento, with a population of 2,314 inhabitants and many beauties to discover. Are you ready for a brief tour of our territory?
Physical geography
Let's start with our geographical position. Caprarica di Lecce is located on the north-eastern side of the Salento Serre, at an altitude ranging from 43 to 101 meters above sea level. Our territory extends for 10.82 km² and borders the municipalities of Cavallino, Lizzanello, Castri di Lecce, Calimera, Martignano, and Sternatia. We are in a very low seismicity area (zone 4) and our climate is Mediterranean, with mild winters and hot-humid summers.
Origin of the name
Now let's talk about our name: Caprarica. There are several theories about the origin of the toponym, but the most accredited one refers to the breeding of goats, the main activity of our ancestors. In the past, in fact, the name could derive from "capra-ricca".
History
The history of Caprarica di Lecce dates back to the Bronze Age, when the territory was already inhabited. In the Middle Ages, our municipality belonged to the County of Lecce and the Principality of Taranto, later passing under the dominion of Brienne and Orsini Del Balzo. In the fifteenth century, Caprarica welcomed the refugees of Roca Vecchia, a nearby city destroyed by the Ottoman Turks during the Battle of Otranto. Over the centuries, our municipality was governed by several noble families, including the Bonsecolo, Condò, Guarino, and Adorno princes.
What to see in Caprarica di Lecce
Now let's move on to some tips on places to visit in Caprarica di Lecce.
- Ussano Menhir: a testimony to human presence in the Bronze Age.
- San Luca Church: built in the eighteenth century in Baroque style, it houses paintings and statues of considerable artistic value.
- Museum of peasant civilization: located in a renovated ancient farmhouse, the museum is an opportunity to get to know the life and traditions of Salento farmers up close.
- Baronial Palace: a historic building dating back to the fifteenth century, which once housed the seat of feudal power.
- Basilian Necropolis: located in the San Paolo area, it houses the remains of the church built by Basilian monks in Byzantine times.
Local cuisine
And what about our cuisine? We have a very rooted culinary tradition, based on simple but high-quality ingredients. You cannot miss our typical products, such as homemade bread, handmade orecchiette, fresh broad beans, and cicerchie. Among the typical dishes, we highlight:
- Pasticciotto leccese: a typical sweet of Salento cuisine, made with shortcrust pastry and custard cream.
- Pettole: fried pasta balls, traditionally consumed during the Christmas period.
- Stoccafisso alla pizzaiola: a fish dish very common in our area, accompanied by tomatoes, olives, and capers.
Events
Finally, let's talk about the events that animate the life of Caprarica di Lecce. During the year, we organize various initiatives to enhance our culture and traditions. Some examples:
- San Luca Festival: the religious festival in honor of the patron saint of the city is held every year on October 18th, with religious celebrations and a procession through the streets of the historic center.
- City of Oil: a gastronomic event that celebrates our extra-virgin olive oil, excellence of our agricultural production.
- Christmas Market: every year, during the Christmas period, a market is set up with local handicrafts products and delicacies of Salento culinary tradition.
In short, Caprarica di Lecce is a small municipality but rich in charm and traditions. We look forward to welcoming you for a pleasant visit to discover our beauties. See you soon!
