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Martano is the largest inhabited center of Grecìa Salentina.
The historic center of the village was once called “Antica Terra”, a name that emphasizes its ancient origins still enclosed in the defensive towers and the wide moat of the castle.
A bit of history:
Legend has it that Martano derives from the ancestors of Minos, while various historical finds would seem to demonstrate that Martano was founded by the Roman centurion Martius, to whom the lands of Salento were donated as a tribute for the valor demonstrated in the battle that led to the conquest of those lands by the Romans in 267 BC.
What to see:
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The Aragonese Castle was built for defensive purposes around the 15th century by Ferdinand and Alfonso of Aragon. You can still see the cylindrical towers and the sloping walls, even though, over time, it became more of a noble residence.
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Church of the Madonna Assunta, was rebuilt in 1596 as can be seen from the epigraph on the portal. Built by Neretina workers with Lecce stone from local quarries, it replaces the ancient Greek rite building. The interior, in the shape of a Latin cross with three naves, houses some Baroque altars from the 17th and 18th centuries, among which those of the Madonna Annunziata stand out, with a canvas by the famous Lecce painter Oronzo Tiso, and of the Immaculate Conception (1618), with a canvas by the painter Cesare Fracanzano.
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The monastery of S. Maria della Consolazione of the monks of Casamari, famous for the production of liqueurs and herbal infusions.
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Specchia dei Mori or Specchia del diavolo, between Caprarica and Martano there is still what is called secla tu demonìu, probably born as a watchtower: legend has it that a treasure consisting of a hen and twelve golden chicks, guarded by the devil, is hidden here.
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Menhir of San Totaro or of Theophilus, called by the local population simply column, with its 4.7 meters of height is the tallest monolith in Puglia.
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Palazzo Andrichi – Moschettini, located on the route from the town to Otranto. The palace, built between 1710 and 1720, is characterized by its imposing portal and balcony, the latter supported by seven corbels. Noteworthy are the arrow slits that open high up on the parapet and which had the function of scanning the sea to spot possible attacks by the Turks.
Tradition and Rites:
We remember the patronal feast of Maria SS dell’Assunta and San Domenico, which takes place on August 14 and 15. The main square is decorated with lights and, in the streets, numerous stalls sell sweets and typical local products. At the end of the feast, the traditional fireworks display takes place.
On the second and third Sunday after Easter, in the Teofilo district, the feast in honor of the Madonna del Teofilo and that of the Madonnella is celebrated.
On November 19th, we celebrate the feast of Maria SS dell’Assunta who, according to tradition, saved the town from the earthquake of 1789.
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