Acquarica di Lecce is a historic and fascinating hamlet that is part of the municipality of Vernole, in the province of . With a population of about a thousand inhabitants, it represents one of the five hamlets that make up the territory of Vernole.
Among the places of interest in Acquarica di Lecce, the Mother Church of San Gregorio Nazianzeno stands out, built in 1904 by Monsignor Leone Greco on the site of an old church. It preserves the bell tower dating back to 1525 and two precious paintings depicting the Madonna del Rosario and San Gregorio Nazianzeno. The facade, in neoclassical style, is characterized by Corinthian pilasters and a decorated tympanum. Inside, the church has a rectangular plan with a single nave and several side chapels.
Other churches of interest include the Chapel of the Madonna della Pietà, built between the 17th and 18th centuries, and the Chapel of the Madonna del Buon Consiglio, rebuilt in the 20th century. An important testimony to the military history of the village is the Castle, built in 1549 by the architect Gian Giacomo dell’Acaya on commission from the Baron of Acquarica, Giovanni Maria Guarino. This fortified structure was intended to defend the village from Turkish invasions and has notable architectural features, such as the precious floor and the watchtower.
Finally, it is worth mentioning the monument dedicated to San Gregorio Nazianzeno, inaugurated in 2003, and the archaeological site of Pozzo Seccato, which offers a glimpse of Messapian life and its fortified structures. This settlement, dating back to the 4th century BC, is surrounded by an imposing wall and has various rooms dedicated to daily life and craftsmanship.
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