Patù: Salento inland's gem

Only the best of Salento

Salento is a fusion of the beauties of nature and archeological wonders, an area full of surprises and a land to explore,  by discovering the richness of the Salentine inland.

Patù is an ancient hamlet known for its unique monument dating back to the Middle Age, Centopietre, made out from stone from a roman mausoleum. 

Patù offers a journey between ancient treasures of Salentine archeology:  ancient city walls, burial, temples.

This hamlet dates back in 924 a.C., constructed by a group of fugitives from the near Vereto, ancient city demolished by Saracens. 

According to historians, its name comes from the greek word “pathos”, in order to highlight the sorrow of its founders.

The city soon became famous in all the Mediterranean area and the ruins of its seaport are still visible on the seabed.

In addition to the Centopietre monument, there are two churches in the hamlet: the Church of San Giovanni Battista and the Church of San Michele Arcangelo.

In Uggiano la Chiesa there is a characteristic hamlet in Salento called Frantoio Ipogeo, where it is possible to visit the underground ancient olive-presses, oval rooms completely constructed in stone. Anciently, the olive production process was possible thanks to the work of mules, which made the central stone of the production room go round. Then, the olive oil was machined in the underground stone tub , where the final product was sold.

 

The Zinzulusa’s Cave offers a marvelous glimpse over the Salento sea. This cave, near Castro, is called this way because of its karst formations. Zinzuli, in Salento dialect means, rags referring to the stalactite coming down from the ceiling asif they were hanging rags.  The cave, accessible just in part, seems like a fairy-tale place, dotted with small lakes with freshwater and saltwater where the originary fauna of the cave lives. This place, which seems to be beyond time and space, is not a recent discovery, indeed objects that date back to the Paleolithic times (amphoras and utensils) were found.

Bibliography

E-borghi, Patù. Consulatato in data 18 luglio 2022, inhttps://www.e-borghi.com/it/borgo/Lecce/91/pat%C3%B9

In World’s Shoes, Cosa vedere nel Salento dell’entroterrea, 23 giugno 2017, in https://inworldshoes.com/cosa-vedere-nel-salento-dellentroterra/