Castro
Discover Castri di Lecce: a small village in Salento
Castri di Lecce, also known as Castrì in Salento dialect, is a town with 2770 inhabitants located in the Adriatic hinterland of Salento, in Puglia. The village is the result of the union of two distinct houses, Castriguarino and Castrifrancone, which took place at the end of the 19th century. In this article, we will take you on a discovery of Castri di Lecce, starting from its physical geography and the surrounding territory.
Physical geography
The urban center extends in the plain of the Salentine Hills, on a limestone-clay soil with the presence of spring waters, between 33 and 51 m above sea level. The municipal territory has an area of 12.22 km² and a population density of 247 inhabitants per square kilometer. Castri di Lecce is located 13 km away from the Adriatic Sea and borders to the north with the municipality of Lizzanello, to the east with the municipality of Vernole, to the south with the municipality of Calimera and to the west with the municipality of Caprarica di Lecce.
Climate
From a meteorological point of view, Castri di Lecce falls within the territory of eastern Salento, which has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot-humid summers. January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of about +9 °C, while August is the hottest month, with an average temperature of about +24.7 °C. Rainfall is frequent in autumn and winter, with an average of about 626 mm of rain per year, while spring and summer are characterized by long periods of drought. The town is strongly influenced by the wind through cold currents of Balkan origin or warm currents of African origin.
Origin of the name
The toponym derives from the Latin 'castrum', which means rock or fortress. In the 13th century, the hamlet was divided into two separate parts which took the name of Castrifrancone and Castriguarino. With the abolition of feudalism, the settlement was unified and in 1891 it took the name of Castrì, later modified to the current one of Castri di Lecce. However, the town continues to be widely called Castrì, a name also adopted in road signs.
History
The territory of Castri di Lecce was inhabited since the Bronze Age. The presence of menhirs and Specchia (megaliths) confirms human presence since prehistoric times. From the few existing historical documents, it is learned that in 1190 the hamlet of Castri was donated to the Archdiocese of Lecce by the Norman count Tancredi of Lecce. It belonged to the episcopal table of Lecce until 1262, the year in which the hamlet was fractionated into two parts, Castrifrancone and Castriguarino.
Monuments and places of interest
Castri di Lecce offers its visitors a wide range of monuments and places of interest. The historic center of the municipality is characterized by small streets and alleys that wind through the white houses with a Mediterranean flavor. Among the places of interest, we recall the Matrice Church of San Giovanni Battista, the Baronial Palace, and the former Convent of the Minor Friars of the Osservanza.
The Matrice Church of San Giovanni Battista, dating back to the 13th century, underwent numerous modifications and reconstructions. It now presents a Baroque style, with a large central nave interrupted by four side chapels. The interior houses numerous works of art, including the painting Madonna del Rosario e Santi by Giuseppe Manente.
The Baronial Palace, built in the 17th century by the Ceraulo family, presents an imposing and majestic Baroque facade. The building, in an austere style, houses inside the Castri di Lecce Archaeological Civic Museum, where it is possible to admire archaeological finds discovered in the municipal territory.
The former Convent of the Minor Friars of the Osservanza, built-in 1608, has recently been restored and used as a congress center. It preserves the sixteenth-century cloister which opens on the upper floor with a veranda overlooking the internal garden.
Local cuisine
The cuisine of Castri di Lecce is rich in typical Salento dishes. Among the first courses, we find orecchiette with turnip greens, pasta with potatoes, and pasta with breadcrumbs. Among the second courses, instead, rabbit alla pignata, grilled lamb, and grilled fish. Among the desserts, we remember the 'pastettes', typical Salento sweets shaped like baskets and filled with cream or chocolate.
Events
Castri di Lecce offers its visitors numerous events throughout the year. In the summer, the village comes alive with concerts and evening shows, including the Feast of San Giovanni Battista, the patron saint of the municipality, on June 24th. In August, instead, the feast of the Madonna dell'Assunta takes place, with the lighting of fireworks and the procession through the streets of the town.
Conclusions
Castri di Lecce is a small Salento village immersed in the plain of the Salentine Hills. Rich in history and traditions, it offers its visitors a wide range of monuments and places of interest. Its cuisine is a mix of Mediterranean flavors and typical Salento dishes that will make your stay even more enjoyable. Visiting Castri di Lecce is like taking a trip back in time, discovering the cultural and historical roots of Salento.
