Holiday apartment in Patù: history, churches and Mediterranean maquis

Patù combines a layered history with sacred art and a protected landscape.

Centopietre and the history of Vereto

A central site in local history is Centopietre. The structure was originally a funerary monument, a heroon, and was built from one hundred hewn stone blocks taken from the ruins of Vereto. In 1873, Centopietre was classified as a second-class national monument. Inside, the monument preserves faint traces of Byzantine frescoes dating from the 11th to the 16th century. They depict thirteen upright, front-facing saints of Eastern origin, following a scheme inspired by the Basilian tradition.

Vereto itself was an ancient Messapian city, known since the 5th century BC. A powerful defensive wall surrounded the city and extended for more than four kilometres. During the Roman conquest, Vereto became the seat of a municipium and a mint in the 3rd century BC. In 106 AD, Vereto was incorporated into the Via Traiana together with other Messapian centres such as Ugento and Vaste. These historical references give Patù a temporal depth that extends far beyond individual buildings.

Churches between Romanesque art and remembrance

The Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista dates from the 10th century and is considered one of the most characteristic examples of Apulian Romanesque art. At the same time, it commemorates the battle between Christians and Moors on 24 June 877. The old parish church, Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo, was built in 1564 to a design by the architect Francesco Centolanze from Nardò.

The Chiesa della Madonna di Vereto also represents the area's long religious and historical development. Prince Zunica, the lord of Alessano, had it built at the beginning of the 17th century. Today, only traces of the interior frescoes remain.

Palazzo Romano, the castle and protected landscape

Palazzo Romano has a portico in the Doric style with Tuscan columns. It leads to a round hall with a domed vault and an octagonal lantern made of iron and glass. The palazzo is also home to the IAT, the Ufficio Informazione e Accoglienza Turistica, the Ecomuseo di Vereto, the municipal library and the town's archaeological museum.

The Castello di Patù includes the last of four corner towers, which, connected by wall pilasters, formed the castle walls. The fortification dates from the first half of the 15th century. The entire municipal area is protected as a landscape because of its natural composition: Mediterranean maquis and local plant species shape the landscape alongside ancient monuments of aesthetic and traditional value, including the pajare.

For the journey, continuing by the Ferrovie Sud Est to Barbarano del Capo may be considered as an option.

More destinations

Gallipoli, Guagnano, Castrignano De' Greci, Gagliano Del Capo, Matino, San Foca, Conca Specchiulla, Ruggiano

To the overarching travel overview: Lecce.