Poggiardo
Welcome to Poggiardo: a journey to discover the territory and history of the town
Hello everyone! Today I will take you on a journey to discover Poggiardo, a municipality of about 5,892 inhabitants located in the wonderful region of Puglia, in the province of Lecce.
Physical geography
Territory
The territory of Poggiardo covers an area of 19.80 km², in the southeastern part of the Salento peninsula. The morphology of the territory is mostly flat, with modest reliefs of the Salento Serre that rise up to 127 m above sea level. The Serra offers an exceptional spectacle both for the fauna that populates the holm oak woods of the Reali area and the hunting area of Falca, and for the wonderful pine forests of Mari Rossi, the Mediterranean maquis, centuries-old olive groves, bauxite quarries and karst caves rich in stalagmites and stalactites.
Poggiardo borders to the north with the municipalities of Sanarica and Giuggianello, to the east with the municipalities of Minervino di Lecce and Santa Cesarea Terme, to the south with the municipalities of Ortelle, Spongano and Surano and to the west with the municipalities of Nociglia and San Cassiano.
Climate
The climate of Poggiardo is Mediterranean, characterized by mild winters and hot-humid summers. The average temperature of January, the coldest month, is around +17.1 °C, while that of August, the hottest month, stands at around +34 °C. The average annual precipitation is about 348 mm, with a peak in autumn-winter and a minimum in spring-summer.
Origins of the name
The name Poggiardo could derive from ''Boiardus'', a personal name, or from ''Podium Arduum'', meaning "Steep Hill", in reference to the Serra di Poggiardo.
History
The territory of Poggiardo has an ancient history. Here was the important Messapic settlement of Vaste, probably founded in the 7th century BC, and destroyed by Guglielmo il Malo in 1147.
Legend has it that the village of Poggiardo was built by the survivors of three hamlets, Soranello, Puzze and Casicalvi, who relied on an ox to decide where to build the new village. The place where the animal stopped was chosen as the location for the village.
What to visit in Poggiardo
Poggiardo is a town with many tourist and cultural attractions. The visit to the historic center is a must for tourists wishing to immerse themselves in the atmosphere and tradition of this fascinating Salento town.
Among the various attractions, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta stands out, dating back to the Byzantine period. The church, further enriched in the following centuries, has a baroque-style façade in Lecce stone and contains many precious works of art inside.
Also not to be missed is the Baronial Palace, dating back to the 18th century, which was the residence of the noble Loya family and now houses the Town Hall and the Municipal Library.
Events and traditions
There is always something to do in Poggiardo! Among the most anticipated events, there is the 'Fiera di San Giuseppe', which is held on March 19, and the 'Festa della Madonna Addolorata', which is celebrated on the Friday of Holy Week.
Furthermore, Poggiardo is also famous for its typical products, including "Pisci" bread and "Pitta Pizzicata", which are the protagonists of the Festival of Pizzica and Tarallucci, an event organized by the Municipality every summer.
Conclusions
This is why Poggiardo is a place worth visiting. Not only for the beauty of its territory, but also for its history, culture, and tradition. In every corner of the town, there will be something to discover and appreciate, so what are you waiting for to book your next trip to Poggiardo?
