Sava
Sava: Among the Hills of Salento
Hello friends, today I will talk to you about Sava, a municipality in the province of Taranto located in the heart of Salento. With its 15362 inhabitants and its hilly location, Sava is perfect for those who seek a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and want to enjoy some tranquility.
Physical Geography
Sava is located about 25 km from the capital Taranto and the Ionian Sea. The municipal territory is located in the Salento hinterland, in a hilly area called Murge tarantine, with an altitude of 107 meters above sea level. One of the highest mountains in the area, Monte Bagnolo, is partly located in the savese agro, towards Manduria.
History
The history of Sava dates back to at least 300 BC, when the area was inhabited by the Messapians, a population of Greek origins. In the seventh century, a "limes" known as Paritoni or Limitone dei greci was built, a dry wall made of small limestone stones. In 1417 Sava was already an inhabited hamlet, as shown by a document that mentions the borders of this village. In 1454, due to incursions from continuous looting during the wars of succession between the Angevins and the Aragonese, most of the inhabitants took refuge in the safer district called "i castelli", from which Sava would have emerged towards the end of the 14th century.
What to see in Sava
Sava is mainly known for the production of Primitivo di Manduria wine and olive oil. If you like wine, you can visit local wineries such as the Cefalicchio winery or the Due Palme winery for a tasting. Alternatively, you can take a walk among the olive trees to admire the landscape and taste local oil.
If you are interested in history, I recommend visiting the Mother Church of Santa Maria dell'Assunta, built in the seventeenth century, which preserves works of great value such as the Madonna and Child by Scipione Capece and Saint Blaise by Pietro Paolo Donisi. Near the Mother Church is also the small Church of San Cosimo, with a medieval bell tower.
In addition, Sava also has several archaeological sites, such as the Agliano necropolis or the San Pietro degli Schiavoni site, both testimonies of the ancient Greek presence in the area.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Sava is a small municipality in Salento rich in history and tradition. If you are looking for a break from the chaos of the city and want to immerse yourself in the nature and culture of Southern Italy, I recommend visiting this charming village. You won't regret it!
