Supersano
Discovering Supersano: between nature and history
Hello friends, today I want to talk to you about Supersano, an Italian municipality in the province of Lecce, in Puglia. Supersano, also known as Supersanu in Salento dialect, is a small town with about 3979 inhabitants located in the hinterland of the lower Salento, belonging to the region of serre salentine and to the Union of Middle Lands.
Physical Geography
The territory of Supersano is characterized by the modest reliefs of the serre salentine, with an area of 36.18 km². The village develops longitudinally from north to south, parallel to the ridge of the "Serra di Supersano-Ruffano". In this municipality you can also find the Natural Oasis of the Serra di Supersano and a large part of the Paduli Park, a rural area of unique beauty, characterized by extensive and majestic olive groves and the presence of numerous plant and animal species, including some ancient oak trees that testify to the ancient Belvedere forest. Moreover, the territory presents two natural sinkholes, the "Fao" and the "Vora", generated by infiltration of surface waters in the subsoil.
Climate
From a meteorological point of view, Supersano enjoys a predominantly Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and hot and humid summers. The average temperature of the coldest month, January, is around +9 °C, while that of the hottest month, August, is around +25.1 °C. The average annual precipitation is around 676 mm, with a minimum in spring-summer and a peak in autumn-winter.
Origin of the name
The toponym of Supersano would derive from the Latin "super sanum" (healthier than healthy) and indicated the salubrity of the climate and air due to the uncontaminated land on which the vast Belvedere forest extended. The Latin expression could also allude to the wisdom and common sense of the inhabitants. In ancient documents, it is reported with the names "Supleczani" or "Supplessano" and could derive from the Latin personal name "Sulpicius".
The history of Supersano
Supersano has a very ancient history. During the Pliocene, the current Salento peninsula had not yet formed and the Serra di Supersano was a rocky land tongue about 2 km wide that emerged from the sea in an archipelago of islands. During the Middle Ages, Supersano was a fiefdom of various noble families, including the Acquaviva di Conversano, the Del Balzo Orsini and the Caracciolo di Martina Franca. In 1861, with the Unification of Italy, Supersano became an autonomous municipality.
Historical and cultural highlights
Supersano has a very interesting historical and artistic heritage. The historical center is characterized by a fairly linear urban plan, with several churches of remarkable artistic interest. Among these, stands out the Matrix Church of Santa Maria Assunta, dating back to 1700, embellished with a Baroque portal and a sail bell tower. A short distance away is the Church of Santa Maria della Croce, which dates back to the 17th century, and the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate, the oldest in the town, dating back to the 14th century.
But Supersano is not only history and art, in this municipality you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the uncontaminated nature of the Serra di Supersano, a protected nature reserve that hosts numerous species of animals and plants. I recommend taking a walk in the Paduli Park, an area characterized by the presence of extensive olive groves and ancient oak trees, traces of the ancient Belvedere forest.
Curiosities and traditions
In Supersano, several folkloristic and cultural events take place. Among the most famous is the Feast of Saint John the Baptist, the patron saint of the town, which takes place on June 24th. During the feast, the rite of fire is celebrated, in which symbolic large bonfires are lit in memory of the birth of Saint John the Baptist. Moreover, on the occasion of the Christmas holidays, the living nativity scene takes place, an event that attracts many visitors from all over Puglia.
Conclusions
Supersano is a small town immersed in the uncontaminated nature of the lower Salento. A place where you can enjoy a relaxing holiday, between history, art, and nature. I recommend visiting this corner of Puglia, it will conquer you with its unique charm and authenticity.
