Sanarica
Welcome to Sanarica: A Small Town in Southern Salento
Hello everyone, today I will talk about Sanarica, a town in southern Salento with a population of 1470 inhabitants. Located in the province of Lecce, Sanarica is a place with a homogeneous morphology between 70 and 110 meters above sea level.
Physical Geography
Territory
The territory of Sanarica extends over an area of 12.75 km² in the southeastern part of the Salento peninsula. Here, you can find karst dolines, natural forms created by the dissolution of limestone by water. Although the size of these forms is usually quite limited, one of them, the Conca Sant'Angelo, has a remarkable development, thanks to the presence of karst conduits.
Sanarica borders several municipalities: to the north with Muro Leccese, to the east with Giuggianello, to the southeast with Poggiardo, to the south with San Cassiano, to the southwest with Botrugno and to the west with Scorrano. From a seismic point of view, the area is classified as zone 4 (very low seismicity).
Climate
The climate of Sanarica is typical of the Mediterranean, with mild winters and hot, humid summers. The average temperature of the coldest month, January, is about 9°C, while that of August, the hottest month, reaches up to 25.1°C. The average annual precipitation is about 243 mm, with a peak in autumn-winter.
Origin of the Name
The name Sanarica would derive from the primitive Senereca, which means "she who leads to tranquility". Other hypotheses suggest that the name derives from the healthy air of the place or from the Latin term "asinarius", which means "donkey driver".
History
According to the writings of the historian Cosimo De Giorgi, Sanarica is a small town that extends partly along the provincial road from Muro to Poggiardo. The plan of the village is quite regular, and widens to the left of the same in the direction of Giuggianello.
During the Middle Ages, Sanarica was an important stopover for travelers headed to Jerusalem, thanks to the presence of the church of San Mauro, which housed pilgrims. Over the centuries, the small town underwent numerous changes, until it took on its current structure.
Culture and Traditions
Sanarica has a strong cultural tradition, with numerous events throughout the year. Among these, the Fair of San Giuseppe, which takes place on March 19th of each year, and the Onion Festival, which celebrates the typical products of Salento, stand out.
Things to See in Sanarica
If you are lovers of history and cultural heritage, Sanarica has many interesting places to visit. One of these is certainly the church of San Mauro, which dates back to the 10th century and was a resting place for pilgrims on their way to the Holy Land.
The church of Santa Lucia, dating back to the 18th century, and the imposing Palazzo Marchesale, built in the 15th century, are other places not to be missed.
Conclusions
Sanarica is a small town immersed in the beauty of Salento, with numerous attractions and a strong cultural tradition. If you are looking for a quiet and picturesque place to visit, Sanarica is the ideal destination for you. Come discover all the hidden treasures of this splendid corner of Puglia!
