Sternatia: Crypts, Olive Mills and Greek Traditions

Sternatia is a village in Grecìa Salentina. If you would like to combine cultural history with local traditions, you will find historic routes, crypts, olive mills and dry-stone structures here.

Circular Route and Fortifications

Sternatia’s historic centre can be explored along a circular route following the former line of the walls. From Porta Filìa, it leads via Via G. Matteotti, Via E. Perrone, Piazza Umberto I, Via Brigida Ancora and Piazza Dante Alighieri, then back to Porta Filìa via Via Roma. Porta Filìa and the adjoining section of wall are the last surviving remains of Sternatia’s former fortifications.

Underground History

Beneath this circular route, a network of underground tunnels and galleries connects the former underground olive mills. Between Via Giudeca and Piazza Castello, buildings preserve remains of Sternatia’s Byzantine castle. The historic houses retain a typically Greek courtyard structure, around which the daily life of several families once unfolded.

Crypts and Sacred Spaces

Near Via Neviera lies the Cripta San Sebastiano, carved out between the 9th and 11th centuries AD. It is accessed via an open corridor and an entrance with several steps. Two naves, separated by a central pillar, preserve recognisable sacred frescoes of Saint Sebastian, the Annunciation and Saint Francis. In Apulia, it is considered the first crypt dedicated to Saint Sebastian; 20 January is associated with it as a recurring date.

The Cripta San Pietro is a small grotto carved out of tuff with two rooms. The second contains an altar with a fresco of Saint Peter. It may have served as a church for the Greek rite.

Palazzo and Chiesa Matrice

Palazzo Granafei is a Baroque Salentine baronial residence built in the 1740s over an earlier Byzantine castle. A hanging garden still survives at the palazzo; in the 19th century it was known as the Giardino dei Fiori. The upper floors are decorated with Rococo frescoes depicting mythological scenes and heavenly deities. The interior of the Chiesa Matrice SS. Assunta contains frescoes by Garganese, six side altars and four Rococo altars in the transept, created by Emanuele Orfano.

Olive Oil as a Local Tradition

Olive oil production was one of the most widespread activities in Sternatia. Thirteen olive mills, including underground and semi-underground facilities, were scattered throughout the area inside and outside the walls. Near Porta Filìa is the underground “Granafei” olive mill. It was one of nineteen mills connected by underground tunnels, was used for pressing olives and producing oil, is accessed via a staircase covered by a barrel vault, and is equipped for guided tours. The remaining mills were destroyed over the years.

Festivals and Regional Cuisine

For many decades, on the first Thursday after Easter, local residents have processed to the Chiesa Madonna degli Angeli. Religious celebrations and sporting competitions take place there, along with the traditional “cuccagna” game. During this celebration, people eat the traditional “cuddhura”, a ring-shaped oven-baked biscuit with a hard-boiled egg in the centre.

Rural Sternatia

In the rural area, numerous dry-stone walls shape the landscape; they were built from stones removed from the fields. Traditional dry-stone structures known as “furni” can be found there. Farmers used them as temporary shelters or shelters used only during the day.

More Places for Trip Planning

Veglie, Tricase, Spongano, Palmariggi, Tuglie, Matino, Conca Specchiulla, Santa Caterina

For the overarching travel overview: Lecce.