Vitigliano: Discover Cisternale, the Parish Church and Palazzi

Cisternale on the outskirts of Vitigliano

On the outskirts of Vitigliano’s present-day built-up area lies Cisternale, an underground structure believed to be a cistern. The rectangular structure is carved into the natural rock. It is 12.30 metres long, 3.05 metres wide and approximately 4.40 metres deep; its capacity is 162,000 litres. Cisternale therefore remains spatially associated with the edge of the present-day built-up area, while Palazzo Ciullo is located in the centre of Vitigliano.

Palazzo Ciullo and Palazzo Gargasole

Palazzo Ciullo dates from the second half of the 17th century and is a historic building in the centre of Vitigliano. The palazzo extends over two floors around an inner courtyard and has a balcony made of Lecce stone. The chapel adjoining Palazzo Ciullo is dedicated to the Immaculate Madonna and contains a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary.

Palazzo Gargasole in Vitigliano, a small hamlet of Santa Cesarea Terme, has housed the Museo degli orologi delle torri civiche since 2008. The museum contains three clocks from Santa Cesarea and its hamlets, which remained in operation until the 1990s before being replaced by more modern mechanisms. Palazzo Gargasole also houses the Museo dei fossili. Visitors interested in architecture will find precise structural details at Palazzo Ciullo; Palazzo Gargasole combines its historic setting with clocks and fossils.

Parish Church and Patron Saint Tradition

The parish church of Vitigliano is dedicated to the Archangel Michael, San Michele Arcangelo. The patron saints of Vitigliano are considered to be the Vergine Assunta and San Rocco. In the second half of August, the statues of the patron saints are displayed in the parish church. At the end of the patron saint festival, the statue of San Rocco is returned to its chapel. A special fireworks display takes place in this context, known in the local dialect as “VAI E VEI”.

Vitigliano on a Regional Hiking Route

A regional hiking route leads to Vitigliano, where the church of San Michele Arcangelo is designated as a stop open to visitors. Along a straight section, the route passes through olive groves and pine woods on its way to Vitigliano. The section of the hiking route that includes Vitigliano is 21.9 kilometres long, combines unpaved paths with asphalt and takes 6 hours. For planning purposes, both the distance and the changing surface, as well as the designated church stop, are therefore important. The route particularly appeals to travellers who want to combine a cultural stop with a longer stretch through olive groves and pine woods. The six hours provide the 21.9-kilometre section with a clear timeframe for planning the day. Because unpaved paths and asphalt alternate, the surfaces are not consistent throughout. On the straight section through olive groves and pine woods, the route leads to Vitigliano, where San Michele Arcangelo is designated as a stop. The route, duration and church stop therefore all form part of the planning. Anyone choosing this hike is thus planning a route lasting several hours, with changing surfaces and a designated church stop.

Discover More Places

Matino, Santa Cesarea Terme, Taviano, Diso, Presicce, Sogliano Cavour, Racale, Casamassella

For the higher-level travel overview: Lecce.