Holiday apartment in Melpignano: culture, menhirs and Pizzica

Melpignano is a destination for you if you want to discover culture not only in individual buildings, but also in alleyways, festival traditions and distinctive stone formations. Among palaces, churches, menhirs and Pizzica music, the town presents a varied picture that fits well into holidays with different daily rhythms.

Palaces, churches and architectural history

The Palazzo Marchesale Castriota was completed in 1636. It includes watchtowers, defensive walls and wall walks surrounding the extensive garden at the rear. In the Giardino Marchesale, avenues laid out at right angles cross one another; at its centre stands a fountain dating from the late 16th century. Today’s Chiesa madre di San Giorgio was created through extensive rebuilding and expansion between 1785 and 1794. Its 16th-century portal features a high relief of Saint George killing the dragon. The presbytery retains decorations from the beginnings of the Baroque period and frescoes from the 16th century, while the interior contains Baroque altars.

The Augustinian complex also takes you through several historical periods. Construction of the monastery and its adjoining Chiesa del Carmine began in 1573. The Chiesa del Carmine was completed in 1662 and has an elaborately designed Baroque portal. During a tour, you can therefore view different building phases and forms side by side, without reducing Melpignano to a single monument.

Discover menhirs and alleyways on foot

The Minonna menhir is 280 centimetres high and stands within the built-up area on Via IV Novembre. The area around Melpignano also contains several menhirs and dolmens. The cobbled alleyways offer another way to experience the town: you can explore them on foot between the elegant façades of noble palaces as well as numerous churches and chapels. This gives your daily planning a combination of taking a closer look at individual landmarks and strolling through the townscape.

Practical information before your visit

Access to the Augustinian monastery and church complex is from Piazza ex convento degli Agostiniani. The monastery is accessible to people with disabilities, but the church is not. The BiblioMediateca “Peppino Impastato” has opening hours from Monday to Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can take these specific details into account when planning your sightseeing.

Music and feast days in Melpignano

Since 1998, La Notte della Taranta has been a meeting place for culture in the heart of the Mediterranean region. It promotes the traditional music of Salento: Pizzica is reinterpreted and combined with other forms of musical expression. On 23 April, Melpignano honours Saint George, the town’s patron saint, with a procession through the streets.

More destinations

Also discover Marittima, Porto Badisco, Santa Cesarea Terme, Cursi, Cavallino, Calimera, Frigole and Tiggiano.

For the higher-level travel overview: Lecce.