Carmiano and its hamlet Magliano. In the heart of Cupa

Carmiano, a charming town located in the heart of Salento, is part of the province of Lecce and has a population of about 11,600 inhabitants. This territory is characterized by a fertile plain, where large olive groves and vineyards extend, known for the production of high-quality oils and wines, which contribute significantly to the local economy.

From a geographical point of view, Carmiano and its hamlet Magliano are located within the Valley of “La Cupa”, a karst depression located in the hinterland of Lecce. This territory has been characterized since the eighteenth century by the presence of magnificent villas, elegant “casini” and small “casine” intended for holidays. Here, the noble families of Lecce rediscovered the pleasure of spending time in the countryside, a short distance from the city, enjoying the refined architecture and lush gardens that dotted the landscape.

Unlike other centers of the Terra d’Arneo, the history of Carmiano was influenced by the lordship of an important religious order: that of the Celestine of Santa Croce di Lecce. This presence played a fundamental role in the birth of the two hamlets, Carmiano and Magliano, which over time became autonomous social and administrative entities. The Celestine, who owned the territory from 1448 until the Napoleonic suppression, promoted a significant demographic and productive recovery, especially between the end of the 15th and the beginning of the 16th century.

Of the so-called “golden age” of Carmiano, the Palazzo dei Celestini remains, which has also profoundly influenced the cultural environment of the municipality without affecting the dynamics of the local ecclesiastical institutions. This building had a chapel dedicated to the Saints of the order, decorated with a large canvas of the Neapolitan school dating back to between the 16th and 17th centuries. The monumental entrance portal, in Catalan-Durazzo style, is embellished with two niches that house stone statues representing the virtues, attributed to the famous architect from Lecce Giuseppe Zimbalo.

Zimbalo, known for his contribution to the artistic vivacity of Lecce, spent a period in Carmiano for family reasons. The high altar and the portal of the church of the Immaculate Conception, dating back to the mid-17th century, have also been attributed to him and are authentic masterpieces of art and craftsmanship.

In this context, Zimbalo's artistic language distances itself from the excessive decoration and formal redundancy typical of other works, taking on a more sober and measured tone, reflecting a reality different from that of Lecce, but without compromising the strong personality of his art.