Leverano: Old Town, Culture and Wine

Leverano combines a largely intact, consistently preserved historic center with cultural attractions, wine experiences and events. The town lies in the fertile plain of the Salento hinterland, on the Ionian side. Small houses line the cobbled lanes of the historic center. When planning your trip, you can weigh up different interests: architectural history, working culture, wine, nature and events at different times of year. This lets you tailor your search for hotels in Leverano to what interests you locally.

Old Town, Towers and Architectural History

The Torre dell’Orologio stands in Piazza Roma and dates from the first half of the 18th century. The Torre Federiciana rises in the center of town and is 28 meters high. The two towers offer different points of reference for exploring Leverano’s townscape: the clock tower’s historical date is known, while the Torre Federiciana’s exact height is documented. The Church of Madonna della Consolazione adds to this perspective on the town’s architectural history. It dates from the 17th century; according to tradition, its construction is attributed to the miraculous discovery of an image of the Virgin Mary.

The tourist information point was established in July 2017 and is located in the historic center at Piazza Roma 19. If you plan to visit, check the current visitor arrangements in advance. This allows you to include this point of contact in your plans without confusing it with the historic buildings in the same square.

Culture Between Working Life and Town History

The Museo Multimediale della Cultura del Lavoro di Leverano uses repurposed spaces in the former Tabacchificio Masseria Quartararo. Its audiovisual accounts focus on both traditional occupations and the modern world of work. This makes the museum a fitting focus for anyone interested not only in buildings, but also in work and the changing world of work.

The Teatro Comunale is also connected to the town’s history: it is part of a multipurpose center built on the remains of Leverano’s former covered market. The museum and theater thus point to two different aspects of cultural life—stories about occupations, and a center whose architectural history is linked to the former market.

Wine Experiences and Events

At Conti Zecca, the tour covers the main areas involved in winemaking and aging. It also provides information about local grape varieties and vineyard management. During a tasting, the history and key characteristics of each wine are explained. The Enoteca Conti Zecca is located at the winery in Leverano and offers an immersive experience featuring the winery’s most representative wines. Visitor arrangements may change, so check the current details of tours and the enoteca before making plans.

The events have different themes and take place in different months. Leverano in fiore is a two-day floral art event held in the historic center in May. “L’Oro della Terra – i giorni dell’olio e dell’olivo” takes place in December and focuses on protecting and promoting olive oil and the olive tree as characteristic features of the area. “Novello in festa” is organized in the first days of November by Pro Loco Leverano, together with the municipal administration and local wineries.

During these events, the information point hosts art installations and organizes evening aperitifs with wine, tastings of local products, workshops and live concerts. The program for future editions may vary. If you want to plan your trip around an event, check the specific dates and program details in advance.

Nature Attractions and Trip Planning

Vora delle Arche is notable for its importance as a breeding site for amphibians and for its birdlife. Patula Cupa is now a city park; the remaining wetland is considered important for its natural history. These places add another perspective on Leverano to the cultural focus. This way, you can choose what to focus on to suit your travel plans, rather than combining different interests into a single reason for visiting.

Discover more destinations: Alessano, Casamassella, San Cesario Di Lecce, Rosa Marina, Lizzanello, Torre Rinalda, Marina di Marittima, San Foca.

View the broader travel guide: Lecce.