Martano: Churches, Palazzi and Archaeology

Martano offers a varied way to explore history and culture: churches and palazzi shape the town’s architectural character, while archaeological remains date back to antiquity and the Byzantine period. There is also an open-air walking route exploring the culture of local stone, as well as events that bring Martano’s squares, courtyards and streets to life. When planning your trip, you can focus on architecture, archaeology or cultural events.

Palazzi and Streetscapes in Martano

The oldest part of Martano, known as Terra, is well preserved and laid out in a regular orthogonal street grid. In the town centre, Palazzo Baronale follows the course of Via Guglielmo Marconi. Its façade features decorated windows and a portal with rusticated stonework; the sloping base of the surviving cylindrical tower is another distinctive detail. The tower dates from the Aragonese period. The Aragonese rebuilt the palazzo after recapturing Otranto.

Other palazzi display different architectural features. Built between 1710 and 1720, Palazzo Moschettini combines an ornate portal with a long balcony supported by seven corbels. At Palazzo Micali, built in 1719, the long balcony rests on six corbels; a statue of Saint Michael stands on the central capital of the bifora. Palazzo Grassi-Corina features an ensemble of a portal, balcony and coat of arms, as well as an openwork balcony supported by six elaborately designed corbels. These details make it possible to compare the architecture not only by construction date but also by façade features.

Churches and Religious Heritage

The Chiesa Matrice is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It was rebuilt in 1596, replacing an earlier church of the Greek rite. It also houses valuable paintings attributed to Oronzo Tiso and Cesare Fracanzano. The church of Santa Maria della Consolazione retains its original appearance. Above its main altar, dating from 1691, a fresco of the Virgin of Consolation survives in an oval frame.

The history of other churches can also be traced through specific features. San Domenico was built or rebuilt in 1652 and has three naves with 18th-century altars. The 17th-century Convento di Santa Maria della Consolazione stands on the site of an old chapel of the Byzantine rite, called Madonna del Ligori. The Cistercian monastery includes a 17th-century church, a library and an art gallery. Olive groves surround the monastery.

Archaeological Remains and Landscape

Casale di Apigliano lies in the territory of Martano, on the border with the surrounding area of Zollino. The archaeological site contains remains from several periods and numerous finds. A village already existed at Casale in the 8th century. The remains of rural dwellings and various everyday objects bear witness to life in the Byzantine period. The church of Santa Maria also survives from the ancient Casale and is widely known as the church of San Lorenzo.

Another prehistoric monument is the Menhir of Santu Totaru, also called the Teofilo Menhir. It is associated with ancient religious rituals of the Iapygian peoples at the beginning of the Iron Age, from the 9th to the 7th century BC. Specchia dei Mori lies on the road from Martano to Martignano, about one kilometre outside the town. These archaeological sites therefore represent different periods: from prehistoric rituals and the Iron Age to village life and everyday objects from the Byzantine period.

Open-Air Culture and Local Events

The Museo diffuso delle Sculture in pietra leccese turns Martano’s streets and squares into an open-air route exploring the culture of local stone. During the annual Cortili Aperti, lanes, squares, courtyards and inner courtyards, along with churches and palaces, are opened to visitors. The programme includes exhibitions, concerts, artistic performances, food trails and cultural events. During La Notte della Taranta, groups performing folk singing and Salentine music take to Martano’s streets and squares.

Local food culture is also part of the town’s cultural character: the Sagra de la volìa cazzata is dedicated to crushed olives. Martano’s underground oil mill illustrates another aspect of olive culture: olive oil was produced using a grinding basin with a millstone, presses and settling pits. If you want to plan your trip around an event, check the dates in advance; the town’s architectural and archaeological heritage offers independent ways to explore Martano.

Travel Connections

Martano’s main railway station offers connections mainly to nearby cities, including Lecce, Gallipoli and Galatina, important tourist destinations in Salento. If you are planning to travel by train, check the current timetable before your trip, as connections may change. When choosing a hotel in Martano, you can also consider whether historic architecture, archaeological remains or a particular cultural event will be the focus of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Santa Caterina, Borgagne, Sogliano Cavour, Matino, Racale, Seclì, Torre Specchia Ruggeri, Taviano

For the wider travel overview: Lecce.