Casamassella between hiking trails, culture and local tradition

Casamassella combines hiking trails through Mediterranean landscapes with evidence of ancient cultures, traditional craftsmanship and vibrant local traditions. If you would like to combine nature, history and art in a single trip, the town offers several different thematic approaches – from tranquil river landscapes to religious customs and historic buildings.

Hiking trails between nature, history and art

The Itinerario dell'alveare e della grotta is a hiking trail that combines nature, history and art. It includes a historic apiary belonging to the Fondazione Le Costantine, an impressive underground cave and art installations set in nature. In this way, the trail brings together different ways of experiencing the landscape and culture without allowing any single focus to determine the experience.

The Itinerario Idro follows the course of an ancient river through the Valle dell'Idro. Spontaneous vegetation and natural tranquillity define this route. The trail also passes impressive rock caves regarded as evidence of a distant past. Those who want to take in not only the landscape but also the rock caves and historical traces while hiking will find a clear thematic focus here.

The Itinerario dolmen menhir leads through the landscape and past ancient stone remains to dolmens and menhirs that tell of civilisations thousands of years old. In addition, the Itinerario megalitico passes through megalithic gardens with ancient evidence of distant civilisations set in a Mediterranean landscape. Both trails place the stone remains of earlier cultures at the centre, while each has its own distinct emphasis.

Weaving and cultural heritage

The Fondazione Le Costantine preserves and passes on the ancient tradition of handcrafted weaving in Salento. Its “Cantando e Amando” weaving workshop, active since 2002, uses traditional four-shaft looms and produces carpets, tapestries, scarves and bags, among other items. This makes the art of weaving visible not only as a historical tradition but also understandable through concrete works and inherited techniques.

The Ecomuseum is based at the Casa delle Culture del Mediterraneo. The De Viti De Marco Castle also stands in the centre of the town. Casamassella's historical heritage likewise includes the Sant'Angelo Crypt and the old Madonna della Scala Church. The crypt takes its name from a fresco of the holy archangel Michael found on its walls. The Madonna della Scala Church was built in the 16th century.

Religious tradition and local cuisine

The Tavole di San Giuseppe in Casamassella are an ancient religious tradition. Preparations include Vermiceddhri, Fritti, lampascioni, salted cod, leafy greens and Fritti coated in honey.

The Caloma Festival is intended to take place every year and to include musical performances, performance art, theatre productions and discussions about sustainable food culture. In this way, the festival combines different art forms with the theme of food and broadens Casamassella's cultural perspective with a contemporary outlook.

Guidance for your discovery

The Casamassella Tourist Information Point provides information, maps and tips for discovering the town and its surroundings. This is especially helpful if you would like to combine the different trails, historic sites and cultural themes into your own day itinerary.

Supersano, Cursi, Andrano, Corigliano D’otranto, Trepuzzi, Carpignano Salentino, Surano, Torre Lapillo

For the overarching travel overview: Lecce.