Matino
Welcome to Matino, a city in Salento
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk about Matino, a beautiful city located in the south-western Salento region, in the province of Lecce. Since 2002, the municipality has been officially recognized as a city in Italy and has a population of around 10,903.
Let's discover the physical geography
Matino is located on the last foothills of the Salento mountains, nestled between two prehistoric karst canyons. The territory, characterized by a strong presence of karstic rock formations, lacks surface water courses but is rich in underground water flowing from the so-called "Vore".
The municipality, which covers an area of , reaches a minimum altitude of and a maximum altitude of . The town dominates the valley called "Taviano-Matino", one of the most fertile areas of Salento, where the predominant crops are olives and vines, but there are also large areas dedicated to crops and greenhouse cultivations, especially of flowers.
Unfortunately, in recent years, the Xylella fastidiosa bacterium has infested the splendid centuries-old olive trees of the Matino territory, causing a disastrous mass death of the trees. The attacks of the Rhynchophorus ferrugineus have also affected the many palm trees in the area, causing a radical change in the landscape of the Matino countryside.
Matino is rich in "masserie," large rural buildings that were once part of extensive estates, the result of the significant impulse given to agricultural production in the Bourbon Kingdom of Naples (1724-1860). Today, the masserie are often unused, except for a few examples of reuse for agritourism. In the Matino territory, we also find the so-called "Pajare", straw huts, an example of rural architecture typical of Magna Graecia.
The climate in Matino
Matino has a Mediterranean climate, characterized by mild winters and hot-humid summers. The average temperature of the coldest month, January, is around , with absolute lows that rarely drop below zero. The temperature of the hottest month, August, is instead around , with maximum temperatures that can even reach close to . The average annual rainfall is around .
A look at life in the city
Matino is a welcoming and peaceful city, ideal for those looking for a relaxing time away from the chaos of the city. The inhabitants are very attached to their land and traditions, and this is reflected in the architecture.
In addition to the previously mentioned masserie, there are also modern rural buildings that testify to the attachment to the land of the local populations and the lively agritourism market.
In the city, there are several restaurants, bars, and pubs where you can taste the delicacies of Salento's cuisine. Among the most famous dishes are "Orecchiette" with turnip greens, "Pittule," and "Melanzane alla parmigiana" (Eggplant Parmesan). The city is also famous for its extra virgin olive oil, which can be purchased directly from local companies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Matino is a wonderful city worth visiting if you are on vacation in Puglia. The beauty of nature and the relaxing atmosphere make it an ideal place to spend some time immersed in Salento's culture and traditions. Come and discover this beautiful city!
