Villa Baldassarri
Welcome to Villa Baldassarri!
Welcome to Villa Baldassarri, the beautiful hamlet of Guagnano, in the province of Lecce, with a population of over 1000 inhabitants! We will discover all the wonders of the region and the history of the area through the story of the feudal family of the Baldassarro, who gave the name to the hamlet.
The history of Villa Baldassarri
The territory that today constitutes Villa Baldassarri was formerly occupied by the Forest of Oria and it is said that among the first presences in the area there was the ancient Basilian Grangia of San Giovanni Monicantonio, a vast fief in the center of the province. Later, a first settlement known as Casale San Giovanni developed, which disappeared over time leaving space for the Antoglietta and Carritelli farmhouses.
The antiquity of the area is documented by historians of the region. For example, Professor Cosimo De Giorgi mentioned in his work of 1301 that it belonged to the Monastery of the Island of S. Pietro in Taranto. In 1600, the owners of these lands were obliged to pay tithes to the Abbey of S. Andrea dell'Isola in Brindisi.
At the beginning of the seventeenth century, a considerable part of the land passed to the Baldassarro family of Lecce, after the division of the San Giovanni Monicantonio fief. Only in 1795, in the statistics of the Kingdom of Naples, we find a population of 250 inhabitants.
At the center of the rural dwellings, there was a Chapel dedicated to S. Maria del Carmelo. Numerous original documents on Villa Baldassarri are present in the State Archive of Lecce. In 1612, Lucrezio Baldassarro established a census on his property in the area.
In 1811, Villa Baldassarri was freed from any dependency on many countries and aggregated to the University of Guagnano. Religious independence, on the other hand, dates back much earlier, to 1767.
Onomastics
The name "Villa Baldassarri" takes its name from the Baldassarro family, who were owners of the Casale.
Places of interest in Villa Baldassarri
Villa Baldassarri offers numerous places of interest for visitors, including the Church of Santa Maria del Carmelo, which dates back to 1700, and the historic Palazzo Baldassarro.
The Church of Santa Maria del Carmelo was built on a pre-existing place of worship dedicated to San Giovanni Battista, and was renovated and expanded following the granting of indulgences by the Pope.
The Palazzo Baldassarro, on the other hand, is an expression of the Lecce Baroque and dates back to the eighteenth century. It is characterized by the portal with sculptures of cherubs, volutes, panels, and dentilations. Over the centuries it has undergone numerous transformations and is today a symbol of the cultural and artistic architecture of the area.
In addition to these places of interest, Villa Baldassarri offers numerous parks and green areas in which to spend pleasant moments of relaxation. Moreover, the inhabitants of the hamlet are known for their cordiality and hospitality.
How to get to Villa Baldassarri
To reach Villa Baldassarri, it is possible to take a train to the Guagnano station and then take a bus to the hamlet. Alternatively, you can opt for a car trip, which allows you to admire the beauties of the Salento landscapes along the way.
Conclusions
Villa Baldassarri is a magnificent hamlet in the province of Lecce, with an ancient history and great hospitality. The area offers numerous places of cultural and artistic interest, as well as parks and green areas in which to spend pleasant moments of relaxation. Come and visit us and discover why the inhabitants of the hamlet are called "Li Matassàri"!
