Patù
Welcome to Patù, a historic and scenic city in Puglia
Hello everyone! Today I will talk to you about Patù, a city in the southern region of Puglia, Italy. We are happy to welcome you to this historic and scenic city with a population of 1,687 inhabitants. Patù is located at the southern end of Capo di Leuca, in the province of Lecce, and is part of the Union of Municipalities of Terra di Leuca. In 2004, Patù was awarded the title of city and in 2016 became part of the association "Authentic Villages of Italy". In this article, we will talk about the physical geography and climate of Patù, the origins of its name and its fascinating history.
Physical geography
Territory
Patù is located on a tuff slope that slopes towards the southwest, 124 meters above sea level. The municipality covers an area of 8.54 km² and overlooks the Ionian Sea for about 3 km. Its territory is composed of Mediterranean scrubland and local essences and hosts ancient monuments of inestimable aesthetic and traditional value, such as the pajare. The Alisso di Leuca, Thymus, myrtus communis and various species of wild orchids are just some of the typical flora of the area.
Climate
From a meteorological point of view, Patù has a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and hot-humid summers. The average temperature of the coldest month, January, is around +16.8 °C, while that of the hottest months, August and September, is around +28.5 °C. The average annual rainfall is about 321mm. Patù is weakly affected by western currents thanks to the protection determined by the Salento mountains that create a shield system.
Origins of the name
The name "Patù" probably derives from the Greek term ''pathos'' (suffering - pain). It is widely believed to remember the sufferings suffered by the city of Vereto (''Veretum''), destroyed by the Saracens in the 9th century AD in order to gain a reference point in Capo di Leuca and thus invade the entire Salento peninsula. According to other hypotheses, the name could derive from the name of the guard of the granary where the Veretini stored their provisions: ''Verduro Pato''. Or, under French rule, Pato became Patù.
History
The territory of Patù has been inhabited since ancient times. The city hosted the important Messapian city of Vereto, destroyed by the Saracens in the 9th century AD in order to gain a reference point in Capo di Leuca and thus invade the entire Salento peninsula. The city further developed under Byzantine and Norman control. In 1300, Patù was contested between the Kingdom of Naples and the Principality of Taranto until it became part of the Kingdom of Naples in 1453. During the Bourbon period, Patù was the subject of numerous investments and an aqueduct was built to improve the quality of water. Today, Patù is a charming historic city, with interesting historical monuments built in different styles.
We are pleased to have introduced you to our beloved city of Patù. Come visit us and discover the history, culture, food and beauty of the place. We look forward to seeing you with open arms!
