Salice Salentino
Welcome to Salice Salentino!
If you are looking for a picturesque and authentic town in southern Italy, then Salice Salentino is the place for you. This town, located in the region of Puglia, is situated in a unique position right on the border between the provinces of Lecce, Brindisi, and Taranto. Today, we take you on a journey to discover Salice Salentino, from its geography to its history, including the climate and historical buildings.
Physical Geography
Salice Salentino is a municipality with 7,964 inhabitants that extends over an area of 25.25 square kilometers. Its territory has a fairly uniform orographic profile, ranging from 34 to 99 meters above sea level, with the town hall located at 65 meters. The area is 20 km away from Lecce and is washed by the Ionian Sea. The western part of its territory falls within Terra d'Arneo, which is that part of the Salento peninsula included in the Ionian slope between San Pietro in Bevagna and Torre dell'Inserraglio.
Salice Salentino is a region characterized by a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, humid and dry summers, and cool and windy winters with rainfall that mainly concentrates in the autumn and winter seasons.
History
The Municipality of Salice Salentino was the settlement of the Messapians, the ancient inhabitants of the Salento peninsula, before the arrival of the Romans in the third century BC. It is a place with a very ancient history, so much so that the first document in which the name "Salice" appears is a Diploma of Roberto il Guiscardo, dated April 10, 1102. The name originates from the forest of Salicaceae plants that was once located in today's municipality's territory.
Over the centuries, Salice Salentino has changed owners many times. In 1294, the Casale di Salice, with its growing population, was elevated to the rank of Baronia and entrusted to a man named "Pandolfo." In 1392, it passed under the dominion of Raimondo Orsini Del Balzo, who built his residence still called today, although it is a ruin, the "Casa del Re". In the seventeenth century, Salice passed to the Enriquez, princes of Squinzano. During this period, the citizens of Salice Salentino had to face many difficulties, including the obligation to pay heavy duties to the Spanish government and powerful feudal lords.
Monuments and Attractions
Salice Salentino has a wide range of historical monuments and tourist attractions. One of the most remarkable monuments in the city is the "Casa del Re," built by the Orsini Marquises in 1392. Although it is now reduced to ruins, its beauty is still evident. Salice Salentino also has a very ancient church, the Convento dei Frati Minori, built by the Marquis Giovanni Antonio Albricci. This place of worship is very important for Christian believers and for the history of the city.
Among the other attractions are the San Giovanni Battista observation tower, dating back to the sixteenth century, which is now open to the public. The Capparedda Tower, from the fifteenth century, is another work of great historical value that you should not miss.
Cuisine of Salice Salentino
If you are looking for unique and authentic flavors, then Salice Salentino's cuisine is the place for you! Here you will find a great variety of traditional Apulian dishes, such as hand-made orecchiette, guitar pasta with tasty sauce, eggplant rolls, and many more.
The inhabitants of Salice Salentino are also famous for the production of wine. The city is, in fact, famous for the production of Primitivo di Manduria DOC, a very valuable red wine. If you love good wine, then you must stop at Salice Salentino's wineries to taste these precious nectars.
Conclusions
Salice Salentino is a small town that knows how to capture the hearts of history lovers, good food, and good weather. Here you will find many hidden gems, from historical monuments to tourist attractions and exquisite dishes. If you are planning a visit to Apulia, Salice Salentino is a must-see for you!
