Cursi: Pietra Leccese, culture and walks through the town

Cursi brings Pietra Leccese to life on several levels: as the defining local stone, as evidence of a long history of quarrying and as a starting point for walks through the town and its surroundings. Those interested in culture will find underground spaces, churches and exhibitions; the Parco delle Cave lies between Cursi and Melpignano.

Stone, craftsmanship and underground spaces

The Ecomuseo della Pietra Leccese e delle Cave is located in Piazza Pio XII, in the underground Frantoio of Palazzo De Donno. Here, the history of the local stone is directly connected with the town. The underground 18th-century olive mill of Palazzo De Donno also houses the permanent exhibition Oggetti della Memoria. The underground Frantoio of the Ecomuseo is also currently presenting the exhibition Stone Stories. Le pietre di Puglia nell’architettura, nel design, nel paesaggio.

The workshop Scalpellino per un giorno also takes place in the underground Frantoio of Palazzo De Donno in Cursi. The focus is on working with Pietra Leccese. In this way, the stone is not merely part of buildings and landscapes but becomes visible as a material with its own craft dimension.

Parco delle Cave between nature and industrial history

The Parco delle Cave is located in the Serpentane area, at the heart of the Pietra Leccese quarrying district between Cursi and Melpignano. Its character derives from the juxtaposition of disused quarries reclaimed by nature, quarries that are still active and evidence of industrial archaeology. The park is freely and free of charge accessible and is not fenced. For orientation on site, this means a landscape in which natural development and stone quarrying meet directly.

Churches and religious heritage

The Santuario della Madonna dell’Abbondanza has a Greek-cross floor plan. A circular drum and a dome crown the building. The feast of the Madonna dell’Abbondanza is celebrated every year on the second Sunday in July. The Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Nicola Vescovo contains the apse of the mother church dating from the 16th century, a dome and a bell tower. The old apse is artistically carved inside and decorated with depictions.

The Cripta di Santo Stefano forms part of the older religious history. In April 1957, scholars classified it as one of the most interesting Basilian crypts in the province of Lecce.

Walks and excursions from Cursi

Several routes start at Palazzo De Donno in Cursi. The Parco delle Cave walk is an easy 90-minute excursion. The Contemporaneo route is also easy and takes 90 minutes, leading to urban art. The Ciclopasseggiata tra Cursi, Melpignano e Castrignano de’ Greci also begins at Palazzo De Donno in Cursi.

More destinations

Seclì, Palmariggi, Cannole, Cocumola, Torre Specchia Ruggeri, Torre Dell'orso, Marina Serra, Torre Saracena

To the main travel overview: Lecce.