Specchia: Piazza, Oil Mills and Traditional Festivals

A Square as a Historical Landmark

Castello Risolo stands on Piazza del Popolo, the main square of Specchia. The fortified building was constructed in the 16th century.

Underground Oil Mills

Under the streets of Specchia, the Via dei Frantoi Ipogei runs along an almost entirely underground route. There are four underground oil mills in Specchia: Scupola, Cicca, Perrone and Francescani neri. They were created between the 15th and 19th centuries in calcarenite beds made of tuff or Lecce stone. This gives the town’s history another, underground layer alongside its visible architecture.

Chapel and Crypt

The Cappella di Santa Caterina was built in 1532 and is completely painted with scenes from the life and martyrdom of Saint Catherine. It includes an underground crypt of Basilian origin. The crypt is supported by 36 columns and contains traces of Byzantine frescoes. This creates a particularly rich interplay of sacred painting, architectural history and underground space.

Traces of the Town’s History

The Chiesa della Madonna Assunta is a 17th-century church near the former Porta del Foggiaro, also known as Porta Lecce. Specchia also still has two 15th-century towers that were incorporated into later buildings. As a result, different periods of construction remain discernible in the town’s present-day structure.

Museum Between Energy and Woodland

At the Specchia Museum, the Sala delle Energie rinnovabili uses games and three-dimensional reconstructions to illustrate the use of wood as an energy source, as well as the Cardigliano wind farm. The Bosco delle Sensazioni presents a vivid reconstruction of the Specchia woodland, focusing on the properties of wood.

Serra Magnone and Bosco Magnone

Specchia lies at the foot of Serra Magnone, one of the highest points in the province of Lecce. Bosco Magnone is a pine forest consisting mainly of Aleppo pines. Its vegetation includes garrigue, maquis, holm oak woodland, as well as reforested areas with Aleppo pines and umbrella pines.

Festivals with a Long Tradition

On February 2, Specchia celebrates the Festa della Candelora with a centuries-old procession of blessed candles in the church dedicated to Saint Catherine. The Festa della Candelora also includes the Fiera della Candelora, a traditional market featuring textiles, handicrafts and terracotta items for display and sale. During the celebrations in honor of the patron saint at the beginning of May, the papier-mâché statue of Saint Nicholas, used for the blessing, is carried through the streets of Specchia. The Fiera di San Nicola is a centuries-old event held as part of these celebrations.

Typical Specialties

A seasonal sagra in Specchia offers typical pittule, including varieties with boiled stockfish, anchovies, cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, tuna and vegetables. Puccia is also recommended as a traditional bread from Salento. Thus, alongside architecture, nature and festivals, specific regional flavors are also part of exploring Specchia.

More Destinations

For further orientation, also discover Torre Lapillo, Ruggiano, Santa Cesarea Terme, Capilungo, Otranto, Nardò, Villaggio Resta and Minervino Di Lecce.

To the higher-level travel overview: Lecce.