Guagnano
Greetings from Guagnano: a brief guide to the Apulian municipality
Hello friends, today I will talk about Guagnano, an Apulian municipality located in the province of Lecce, in northern Salento.
Physical geography
Guagnano covers an area of 37 km² on the border with the province of Brindisi. The urban center is located 44 meters above sea level and borders the municipalities of San Donaci (BR) and Cellino San Marco (BR), Campi Salentina, Salice Salentino and San Pancrazio Salentino (BR).
Climate
The climate of Guagnano is Mediterranean, with mild winters and hot and humid summers. The average temperature of the coldest month, January, is around 10 degrees Celsius, while that of the hottest month, August, is around 31 degrees Celsius. The rainfall, frequent in autumn and winter, is around 281 mm of rain/year.
Origins of the name
According to legend, the name Guagnano derives from the presence of marshes rich in water. However, the historian Giacomo Arditi claims that the place name comes from ''guadagno'' in reference to the fertility of the land and pastures and for the presence of lucrative activities exercised on the site.
Nicknames
The inhabitants of Guagnano are often called "tuttu sensu" in reference to a legend that tells of a Guagnano farmer who, passing by a countryside, saw men working in vain to move huge boulders. The farmer told them that if they wanted wisdom, they could buy it in his village, where they sold it at a low price. Furthermore, another nickname of the inhabitants is ''entri mueddrhi'', which alludes to the love for idleness and good living.
History
Guagnano has ancient origins and was part of a group of villages that arose in ancient times. At the end of the XIII century, the locality was a fiefdom of the County of Lecce.
If you are looking for history, you have several options available. You can visit the mother church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, in Baroque style and embellished with frescoes and sculptures. In addition, you can admire the statue of St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of the city, which is carried in procession by the population in honor of the saint.
If you like food and wine, do not miss the opportunity to taste the local culinary specialties. The municipality is in fact famous for the production of "Negroamaro" wine, but also for meat delicacies, such as "pignata", a spiced meat soup prepared in a terracotta pot.
Furthermore, Guagnano hosts several events during the year including the celebration of the patron saint's feast of St. John the Baptist on June 24, the "Festa delle Cantine" in September, and the theater festival "Sipario Svelato" in August.
In summary, Guagnano is a beautiful municipality located in northern Salento that preserves many traditions and a genuine historical and gastronomic heritage. If the inhabitants of Guagnano are known for their love of idleness, it will not be difficult for you to find the right way to enjoy the beauties of the place.
