Cannole: History, Olive-Growing Culture and Salento Cuisine

Cannole combines historic buildings, olive-growing culture and a distinctive Salento cuisine. If you are looking for a hotel in Cannole, the castle, churches, museums, landscape and Festa della Municeddha can all shape your travel choices.

Castle and Churches

Cannole Castle dates from the 16th century and stands on the main square dedicated to Saint Vincenzo Ferreri. Originally used for defence, it was converted into a noble residence under the Personé family. A new wing and a garden with a fountain in the typical style of the late 18th century were added on its eastern side. The coat of arms of the Granafei family is still visible on the fountain today.

The Chiesa matrice della Madre di Dio is a church dating from the late 16th century that was extended in the 18th century. Its nave houses altars dedicated to the Madonna del Rosario and the Sacra Famiglia, dating from 1649 and 1668; both were commissioned by the Personé barons. The baptismal font is dated 1765.

The Chiesa della Madonna di Costantinopoli was rebuilt in 1936 over an existing rock chapel. The church contains a papier-mâché statue of the Madonna depicted with a chained Turk at her feet.

Olive-Growing Culture and Rural History

The Museo dell’arte olearia Ubaldo Villani contrasts elements of the old tradition with those of mechanical production, in which electric power drives the gears instead of muscle power. A small museum section preserves fossil bones of large animals, remains of Templar evidence in Terra d’Otranto, and objects from historic churches, some of which survive only as ruins. The Frantoio dei Piccinno was built around the 1830s and is one of the few surviving non-underground olive mills in Salento.

The rural landscape of Cannole includes extensive stands of centuries-old olive trees bordered by dry-stone walls. Masseria Torcito probably developed from an original structure dating back to the 12th century into a fortified masseria in the early 16th century; the surrounding walls were built or raised and an upper floor was added. In the Anfiano area, a masseria structure still exists today, consisting of a group of small, independent buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries with grain pits, wells and stables. It also includes an underground olive mill preserved in the Anfiano area.

Festa della Municeddha and Local Cuisine

The Festa della Municeddha has taken place every year from 10 August to 13 August since 1985, combining folk music with abundant food stalls offering traditional specialities from Salento. Municeddha is the main dish; it is sautéed, grilled or prepared with tomato sauce. The species of snail found in Cannole is known as Cantareus apertus or Helix aperta and is considered particularly prized gastronomically.

Via Francigena and Menhir Santu Lasi

The Via Francigena passes through Cannole. Menhir Santu Lasi stands about 2 kilometres from the town centre in the Pirazzo district, at the foot of the Serra di Montevergine. It is about 4.50 metres high and is a freely accessible open-air site on Strada Vicinale Santo Lasi.

More Places for Your Travel Planning

If you would like to compare more destinations, you can find Seclì, Marittima, Gallipoli, Ruffano, Punta Prosciutto, Marina Di Andrano, Calimera and San Cataldo here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Lecce.