San Marzano di San Giuseppe
San Marzano di San Giuseppe: an Albanian municipality in Puglia
San Marzano di San Giuseppe is an Italian municipality located in the province of Taranto, in the region of Puglia. It is known for being one of the most important Arbëreshë (Albanian) centers in Italy, along with Casalvecchio di Puglia and Chieuti. The Albanian mother tongue is still spoken by the inhabitants, who have kept the customs and traditions of their original culture.
Geography of the municipality
The municipality is located in the upper part of Salento, at an altitude of 134 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by the municipalities of Grottaglie, Sava, Fragagnano and Francavilla Fontana. It is about 23 kilometers east of Taranto, 20 kilometers north of the Ionian Sea, 56 kilometers west of Lecce and borders the province of Brindisi.
Origin of the name
The origin of the toponym is not entirely clear: according to some studies, the name may derive from the Roman “gens” Marcia, which owned properties in the area. Another hypothesis suggests that Marzano refers to a Roman station dedicated to Mars. The prefix "san" could derive from Greek, but it could also indicate the Christianization of the first Roman center dedicated to Mars.
History and Culture
San Marzano di San Giuseppe was founded at the end of the 15th century by Albanians, who took it as a new settlement after their migration from the Balkan Peninsula. The Italian-Albanian community has preserved the mother tongue and much of the traditions of their culture. The Byzantine rite, typical of the Italo-Albanian Church, has become extinct over the centuries.
Today San Marzano di San Giuseppe is part of the 50 Albanian municipalities of Italy where the Albanian language is protected by Italian legislation and is also used in official documents. Its inhabitants are proud of their cultural identity and organize numerous events to defend and valorize Albanian traditions.
Economy and Tourism
The economy of the municipality is based mainly on agriculture: olive and grape cultivation are prevalent, but also almonds, cherries and vegetables. San Marzano di San Giuseppe is also known for wine production, particularly the Primitivo di Manduria, which obtained DOC recognition in 1974.
From a tourist point of view, the municipality offers several attractions, such as the Castle of San Marzano, the Church of San Giovanni Battista and the Chapel of Sant'Antonio da Padova. The location is also an excellent starting point for visiting the other cities of Salento and the beaches of the Ionian Sea.
Conclusions
San Marzano di San Giuseppe is a municipality with a strong cultural identity that has preserved its traditions over the centuries. Albanian language, food, religion and architecture are just some of the peculiarities that characterize this small locality of Puglia. Visiting San Marzano di San Giuseppe means discovering a real cultural island, which deserves to be known and appreciated.
