Casamassella: Walking Routes, Weaving and History

Several themes come into focus when planning a stay in Casamassella: routes linked to nature, history and art, traditional weaving, and historical and religious culture. The route names point to different features—from river landscapes and caves to dolmens, menhirs and megalithic gardens. If you are planning your trip around your personal interests, it helps to consider these highlights individually.

Routes between nature and history

The Itinerario dell'alveare e della grotta is a walking route that brings together nature, history and art. Its features include a historic apiary belonging to Fondazione Le Costantine, an impressive underground cave, and art installations in nature. This route thus combines a traditional craft, a cave and art set in the landscape.

The Itinerario Idro follows the course of an ancient river through the Valle dell'Idro. It passes spontaneous vegetation and winds through a tranquil natural landscape. Along the way are impressive rocky caves, considered evidence of a distant past. The river, vegetation and caves each give this route its own distinct focus.

The Itinerario dolmen menhir crosses the landscape and passes ancient stone monuments, including dolmens and menhirs that tell of civilizations dating back thousands of years. The Itinerario megalitico, by contrast, focuses on megalithic gardens, with ancient traces of distant civilizations set in a Mediterranean landscape. If you are especially interested in dolmens and menhirs, the first name is the right guide; the other draws attention to gardens and their landscape.

Weaving, the Ecomuseo and religious tradition

Fondazione Le Costantine preserves and shares the ancient tradition of hand weaving in Salento. Its weaving workshop, “Cantando e Amando,” active since 2002, uses old four-shaft looms. Items made include rugs, tapestries, scarves and bags. The range therefore extends from textiles for the home to wearable pieces.

The Ecomuseo is based at the Casa delle Culture del Mediterraneo. Weaving and the Ecomuseo thus offer different cultural points of interest: at Fondazione Le Costantine, the focus is on passing on the craft of weaving, while the Ecomuseo is based at the Casa delle Culture del Mediterraneo.

The Tavole di San Giuseppe are an old religious tradition in Casamassella. Preparations include Vermiceddhri, Fritti, Lampascioni, salt cod and leafy greens, as well as Fritti coated in honey. The dishes also bring out the culinary side of the custom; they are part of preparing the Tavole.

Historical sites and getting oriented

Castello De Viti De Marco stands in the center of Casamassella. At the Crypt of Sant'Angelo, a fresco of Saint Michael the Archangel found on its walls explains the name. The old Church of Madonna della Scala was built in the 16th century. These historical references differ: the castle is located in the town center, the crypt's name is explained by the wall fresco, and the church's construction date has been recorded.

The Casamassella Tourist Information Point offers information, maps and tips to help you discover the town and its surroundings. The maps can give you an overview, while the information and tips can help you choose what to explore in the town and its surroundings.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Neviano, San Donato Di Lecce, Gallipoli, Torre Vado, Serrano, Torre San Giovanni, Otranto, Acquarica Del Capo

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