Discover Depressa: Castle, Olive Mill and Winery

Depressa Between History and Everyday Culture

Depressa tells its story through several specific places. What makes it interesting for you is not just a single building, but an ensemble comprising a castle, museum, squares, religious architecture, underground sites and winemaking. The oldest core of Castello di Depressa dates back to the 14th century. In the basement, there is a museum documenting the history of the Winspeare family and their ancestors, costumes and traditions. Architecture and family history thus come together at a historic site.

Castle, Piazza and Roads Through the Town

Depressa lies on the slopes of the Serre di Andrano and Castiglione. This location provides the landscape setting for the historic sites in and around the town. From Piazza Castello, you can see Palazzo Winspeare, a recently restored historic building. Another point of reference lies on the road from Depressa to Castiglione, a hamlet of Andrano: Croce di Principano stands on the left side of the road, in the fief known as “di Principano.” The evidence therefore extends from the square to the area surrounding the road to Castiglione.

Calvario and the History of Its Restoration

Calvario di Depressa was built in 1885. On April 15, 1973, it was restored with five sculptural ceramic panels. For visitors interested in culture, the site forms part of the sequence of historic locations where the development of Depressa can be observed through specific buildings.

Neoclassicism and Underground Heritage

The Cupola di Simone Murat creates a different architectural accent. It was built by the French oenologist Simone Murat as a place to rest after work. The cupola is designed in the neoclassical style and was made entirely from Lecce stone. Here, a personal purpose combines with a clear formal language and a characteristic regional building material.

Beneath the ground, the Grotta dei Municeddhri leads into the history of olive processing. It is an ancient underground olive mill, probably built around 1400. Olives were fed directly onto a millstone through an opening in the ceiling to produce oil. The site therefore shows not only an underground structure, but also the technical process of earlier oil production. At Largo dei Pozzi Messapici, the square contains 15 small, well-like structures that provide access to underground cavities. The square adds another underground element to the olive mill.

Winemaking and a Festival in Piazza Castello

Local culture also includes Castel di Salve, a historic winery in Depressa. Antonio Winspeare founded it in 1885; today, it is run by the fourth and fifth generations of the Winspeare family. For your travel planning, this place combines winemaking with family history. The Festa della “Simeddha” took place on July 19, 2025, in its third edition, in Piazza Castello in Depressa. Thus, the town’s history encompasses not only its buildings but also a specifically dated local festival.

More Places for Your Travel Planning

Maglie, Ruffano, Montesano Salentino, Gemini, Diso, Lizzanello, Melendugno and San Dana

For the overarching travel overview: Lecce.