Patù: Vereto, Churches and Protected Landscape

Patù can be discovered through visible traces of different eras. Between Centopietre, the ancient remains of Vereto, churches and protected landscape, a concentrated cultural experience emerges for travelers who wish to understand the character of a place through its buildings and historical connections.

Centopietre and Vereto

Centopietre is the central attraction. The structure was originally a funerary monument, a heroon, and was built from one hundred hewn stone blocks taken from the ruins of Vereto. In 1873, it was classified as a second-class national monument. Inside, Centopietre preserves faint traces of Byzantine frescoes from the 11th to the 16th century. They depict thirteen saints of Eastern origin, shown standing and frontally according to a scheme inspired by the Basilian tradition.

The connection with Vereto dates back a long way: the ancient Messapian city has been known since the 5th century BC. Its powerful defensive wall extended for more than four kilometers. During the Roman conquest, Vereto became the seat of a municipium and a mint in the 3rd century BC, and in 106 AD it was incorporated into the Via Traiana along with other Messapian centers such as Ugento and Vaste.

Churches with Different Historical Layers

The Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista dates from the 10th century and is considered one of the most characteristic examples of Apulian Romanesque art. It also commemorates the battle between Christians and Moors on June 24, 877. The old parish church, Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo, was built in 1564 based on a design by the architect Francesco Centolanze from Nardò. The Chiesa della Madonna di Vereto was built at the beginning of the 17th century by Prince Zunica, lord of Alessano; only traces of its interior frescoes remain today.

Palazzo Romano and Local Memory

Palazzo Romano presents another architectural facet. Its portico in the Doric style, with Tuscan columns, leads to a round hall with a domed vault and an octagonal lantern made of iron and glass. Palazzo Romano is home to the IAT (Ufficio Informazione e Accoglienza Turistica), the Ecomuseo di Vereto, the municipal library and the municipal archaeological museum. This brings representative architecture, tourist information, local memory and archaeological themes together in a single building.

Landscape and Fortifications

The character of Patù also includes the entire municipal area, which is protected as a landscape because of its natural composition, characterized by Mediterranean maquis and local plant species, as well as ancient monuments of aesthetic and traditional value. These monuments include the pajare. At the Castello di Patù, the last of four corner towers remains; wall projections connected the towers and formed the castle walls. The fortification dates from the first half of the 15th century.

Patù as a Travel Choice

For the journey, you can plan to continue by Ferrovie Sud Est to Barbarano del Capo. When choosing a hotel in Patù, you can base your decision on the topics you wish to explore further locally: the history of Vereto, Romanesque and later sacred architecture, the archaeological subjects presented in the museum or the protected landscape.

More Places for Your Travel Plans

Muro Leccese, Santa Maria Al Bagno, Cavallino, Gagliano Del Capo, Santa Caterina, Marina Serra, Taurisano, and Maglie.

To the main travel overview: Lecce.