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Montesardo is a ''
frazione A ''frazione'' (: ''frazioni'') is a type of subdivision of a ''comune'' ('municipality') in Italy, often a small village or hamlet outside the main town. Most ''frazioni'' were created during the Fascist era (1922–1943) as a way to consolidat ...
'' () in the ''
comune A (; : , ) is an administrative division of Italy, roughly equivalent to a township or municipality. It is the third-level administrative division of Italy, after regions () and provinces (). The can also have the City status in Italy, titl ...
'' of
Alessano Alessano () is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Lecce, part of Apulia region of south-east Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of ...
in the
province of Lecce The province of Lecce (; Salentino: ) is a province in the Apulia region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Lecce. The province is called the "Heel of Italy". Located on the Salento peninsula, it is the second most-populous province in Ap ...
in the Apulia region,
Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...
. As of the 2001 census, it has a population of 1,369. It is from
Lecce Lecce (; ) is a city in southern Italy and capital of the province of Lecce. It is on the Salentine Peninsula, at the heel of the Italian Peninsula, and is over two thousand years old. Because of its rich Baroque architecture, Lecce is n ...
, just over from Leuca, and from the ''comune'' capital of Alessano.


Geography


Territory

The village is located
above sea level Height above mean sea level is a measure of a location's vertical distance (height, elevation or altitude) in reference to a vertical datum based on a historic mean sea level. In geodesy, it is formalized as orthometric height. The zero level ...
. Montesardo is the third highest area in the province of Lecce after and
Monte Sant'Eleuterio Monte may refer to: Places Argentina * Argentine Monte, an ecoregion * Monte Desert * Monte Partido, a ''partido'' in Buenos Aires Province Italy * Monte Bregagno * Monte Cassino * Montecorvino (disambiguation) * Montefalcione Portugal * Monte ...
. The village developed on the southern continuation of the Serra dei Cianci mountain, so the village is sometimes referred to as "Serra di Montesardo". Montesardo is crossed by (SS 275) of Santa Maria di Leuca.


Climate

Montesardo has a
Mediterranean climate A Mediterranean climate ( ), also called a dry summer climate, described by Köppen and Trewartha as ''Cs'', is a temperate climate type that occurs in the lower mid-latitudes (normally 30 to 44 north and south latitude). Such climates typic ...
, with mild winters and hot summers. The coldest month is January, with an average temperature of , and the hottest month is August, with an average temperature of . The average amount of rainfall per year is . Rainfall is at a minimum during spring and summer and peaks during autumn and winter. The ''comunes'' of lower Salento, including Montesardo, are weakly affected by winds due to protection from (Salento greenhouses) – elevated areas that create a shield system.


History

Records of Montesardo begin in the 16th century. In his work , Italian scholar Galateo describes an "" with a large circular wall and visible ruins of ancient houses located on a hill called "", about seven miles away from Leuca. Galateo also recalls that the town was called "" by the Greeks, interpreted in Latin as "" or "", meaning steep or rugged mountain. In the 19th century, historian Luigi Tasselli, in his work (''Antiquity of Leuca''), hypothesized a Greek origin of the city based on Galateo's writing; in (''The physical and historical
chorography Chorography (from χῶρος ''khōros'', "place" and γράφειν ''graphein'', "to write") is the art of describing or mapping a region or district, and by extension such a description or map. This term derives from the writings of the anc ...
of
Terra d'Otranto The Terra di Otranto, or Terra d'Otranto (in English, Land of Otranto), is an historical and geographical region of Apulia, largely corresponding to the Salento peninsula, anciently part of the Kingdom of Sicily and later of the Kingdom of Napl ...
''), he stated that the
Byzantine Greeks The Byzantine Greeks were the Medieval Greek, Greek-speaking Eastern Romans throughout Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages. They were the main inhabitants of the lands of the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire), of Constantinople and Asia ...
would then have translated the Latin name into "", i.e. the "" referred to by Galateo. Over time, the area would have taken the name "Monsarduus" from Latin, from which the current name of Montesardo would have derived. It was previously hypothesized that there may have been an earlier ancient settlement at the site of the current inhabited area of Montesardo based on aerial photos and a
reconnaissance In military operations, military reconnaissance () or scouting is the exploration of an area by military forces to obtain information about enemy forces, the terrain, and civil activities in the area of operations. In military jargon, reconnai ...
of the terrain which revealed a defensive route of about in length. Archaeological research has since identified traces that confirm the existence of this settlement. A hint of the presence of an ancient settlement in the area was given when a tomb was found in 1953 in a rocky bank in Alessano. In 1997, the first systematic excavation was carried out, which revealed the remains of a large building that had been built with blocks of
tuff Tuff is a type of rock made of volcanic ash ejected from a vent during a volcanic eruption. Following ejection and deposition, the ash is lithified into a solid rock. Rock that contains greater than 75% ash is considered tuff, while rock co ...
. During construction excavations near the Romasi Castle in the second half of the 1980s, ceramic material was recovered, giving an indication of a population in the area between the 9th and the 1st century BC. Additionally, a stretch of wall at the base of the Romasi castle, estimated to have been built between the 4th and 3rd centuries BC, uses a stone building technique also found in the nearby city of . After the
fall of the Western Roman Empire The fall of the Western Roman Empire, also called the fall of the Roman Empire or the fall of Rome, was the loss of central political control in the Western Roman Empire, a process in which the Empire failed to enforce its rule, and its vast ...
, Montesardo was used as a fortress due to its bastions, fortified castle, and circle of walls interspersed with towers. These walls and towers were demolished in 1867. Montesardo was also a seat of important schools of mathematics,
philosophy Philosophy ('love of wisdom' in Ancient Greek) is a systematic study of general and fundamental questions concerning topics like existence, reason, knowledge, Value (ethics and social sciences), value, mind, and language. It is a rational an ...
, and music. During
World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, the land was occupied by German troops.


Places of interest


Mother Church

The Mother Church (), dedicated to the
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known in the East as The Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple, is a liturgical feast celebrated on November 21 by the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and some Anglo-Catholic Churches. The feast ...
, was built in 1727 at the wish of Fulvio Gennaro Caracciolo , the 3rd Duke of Montesardo. It stands on the site of a pre-existing building that dates back to the centuries. The church is separated into two levels by an
architrave In classical architecture, an architrave (; , also called an epistyle; ) is the lintel or beam, typically made of wood or stone, that rests on the capitals of columns. The term can also apply to all sides, including the vertical members, ...
. On the lower level, two alcoves at the side of the framed entrance
portal Portal may refer to: Arts and entertainment Gaming * ''Portal'' (series), a series of video games developed by Valve ** ''Portal'' (video game), a 2007 video game, the first in the series ** '' Portal 2'', the 2011 sequel ** '' Portal Stori ...
house statues in lecce stone, a type of limestone found in the
Salento Salento (; Salentino dialect, Salentino: ''Salentu''; Griko language, Salento Griko: ) is a Cultural area, cultural, List of historical states of Italy, historical, and geographic region at the southern end of the administrative region of Apuli ...
region. On the south-facing exterior, there is a large
fresco Fresco ( or frescoes) is a technique of mural painting executed upon freshly laid ("wet") lime plaster. Water is used as the vehicle for the dry-powder pigment to merge with the plaster, and with the setting of the plaster, the painting become ...
depicting
Saint Christopher Saint Christopher (, , ; ) is venerated by several Christian denominations. According to these traditions, he was a martyr killed in the reign of the 3rd-century Roman Empire, Roman emperor Decius (), or alternatively under the emperor Maximin ...
. On the upper level, there is a rectangular
stained glass Stained glass refers to coloured glass as a material or art and architectural works created from it. Although it is traditionally made in flat panels and used as windows, the creations of modern stained glass artists also include three-dimensio ...
window depicting a
cross A cross is a religious symbol consisting of two Intersection (set theory), intersecting Line (geometry), lines, usually perpendicular to each other. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally. A cross of oblique lines, in the shape of t ...
. Inside, there are some
baroque The Baroque ( , , ) is a Western Style (visual arts), style of Baroque architecture, architecture, Baroque music, music, Baroque dance, dance, Baroque painting, painting, Baroque sculpture, sculpture, poetry, and other arts that flourished from ...
altars with paintings and statues above them. There is also an organ and a
pulpit A pulpit is a raised stand for preachers in a Christian church. The origin of the word is the Latin ''pulpitum'' (platform or staging). The traditional pulpit is raised well above the surrounding floor for audibility and visibility, accesse ...
dating back to the 18th century.


Church of Saint Barbara

The Church of
Saint Barbara Saint Barbara (; ; ; ), known in the Eastern Orthodox Church as the Great Martyr Barbara, was an Early Christianity, early Christian Greek saint and martyr. There is no reference to her in the authentic early Christian writings nor in the origin ...
(), which dates back to the 13th century, was annexed to the female monastery of the
Benedictines The Benedictines, officially the Order of Saint Benedict (, abbreviated as O.S.B. or OSB), are a mainly Christian mysticism, contemplative Christian monasticism, monastic Religious order (Catholic), order of the Catholic Church for men and f ...
. It has been almost completely destroyed and is used today for agricultural purposes. The church has a small
rose window Rose window is often used as a generic term applied to a circular window, but is especially used for those found in Gothic cathedrals and churches. The windows are divided into segments by stone mullions and tracery. The term ''rose window'' wa ...
with a
lunette A lunette (French ''lunette'', 'little moon') is a crescent- or half-moon–shaped or semi-circular architectural space or feature, variously filled with sculpture, painted, glazed, filled with recessed masonry, or void. A lunette may also be ...
below it. The interior is a single room that preserves traces of ancient frescoes that once covered the entire inside of the structure. The frescoes depict the
Byzantine era The Byzantine calendar, also called the Roman calendar, the Creation Era of Constantinople or the Era of the World (, also or ; 'Roman year since the creation of the universe', abbreviated as ε.Κ.), was the calendar used by the Eastern Orth ...
to the 15th century. A depiction of Saint Barbara can be seen holding a tower in her right hand, an
iconographic Iconology is a method of interpretation in cultural history and the history of the visual arts used by Aby Warburg, Erwin Panofsky and their followers that uncovers the cultural, social, and historical background of themes and subjects in the visu ...
symbol of the saint. There is also a 14th-century
deesis In Byzantine art, and in later Eastern Orthodox iconography generally, the Deësis or Deisis (, ; , "prayer" or "supplication") is a traditional iconic representation of Christ in Majesty or Christ Pantocrator: enthroned, carrying a book, and ...
, although it is missing the figure of
St. John the Baptist John the Baptist ( – ) was a Jewish preacher active in the area of the Jordan River in the early first century AD. He is also known as Saint John the Forerunner in Eastern Orthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy, John the Immerser in some Baptist ...
. It is uncertain when the church was abandoned. Bishop
Ercole Lamia Ercole Lamia (died 1591) was a Roman Catholic prelate who served as Bishop of Alessano (1578–1591).
did not include it in the report of his pastoral visit to Montesardo in 1590. However, it was still frequented by the faithful until the 18th century. The building is now private property and used for agricultural purposes.


Church of the Immaculate Conception

The Church of the Immaculate Conception () dates back to 1870. It was built soon after the proclamation of the
dogma Dogma, in its broadest sense, is any belief held definitively and without the possibility of reform. It may be in the form of an official system of principles or doctrines of a religion, such as Judaism, Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, or Islam ...
of the
Immaculate Conception The Immaculate Conception is the doctrine that the Virgin Mary was free of original sin from the moment of her conception. It is one of the four Mariology, Marian dogmas of the Catholic Church. Debated by medieval theologians, it was not def ...
. On the lunette, there is a frescoed scene of the
Passion of Christ The Passion (from latin language, Latin , "to suffer, bear, endure") is the short final period before the death of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus, described in the four canonical gospels. It is commemorated in Christianity every year during Holy ...
.


Castle

The castle is located in the old town center. It is said to have been commissioned by the Caracciolo family or those related to the
Orsini family The House of Orsini is an Nobility of Italy, Italian noble family that was one of the most influential princely families in Middle Ages, medieval Italy and Renaissance Rome. Members of the Orsini family include five popes: Pope Stephen II, Step ...
. It was built between the 15th and 16th centuries. Over time, the original layout has been considerably changed as the building has undergone significant transformations. The layout of the building is square in shape with four towers at the corners, also square-shaped. A fence runs along the perimeter. Inside, there is a square, once used for military purposes, that is overlooked by all rooms of the castle. The square was originally connected to the outside by a
drawbridge A drawbridge or draw-bridge is a type of moveable bridge typically at the entrance to a castle or tower surrounded by a moat. In some forms of English, including American English, the word ''drawbridge'' commonly refers to all types of moveable b ...
, which has since been replaced by a hybrid masonry connection. The walls have a slightly protruding
parapet A parapet is a barrier that is an upward extension of a wall at the edge of a roof, terrace, balcony, walkway or other structure. The word comes ultimately from the Italian ''parapetto'' (''parare'' 'to cover/defend' and ''petto'' 'chest/brea ...
decorated with
corbel In architecture, a corbel is a structural piece of stone, wood or metal keyed into and projecting from a wall to carry a wikt:superincumbent, bearing weight, a type of bracket (architecture), bracket. A corbel is a solid piece of material in t ...
s. In the 20th century, the castle was bought by the Romasi
barons Barons may refer to: *Baron (plural), a rank of nobility *Barons (surname), a Latvian surname *Barons, Alberta, Canada * ''Barons'' (TV series), a 2022 Australian drama series * ''The Barons'', a 2009 Belgian film Sports * Birmingham Barons, a Min ...
. After
World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, it was passed from the family to the
Vocationist Fathers The Society of Divine Vocations () abbreviated S.D.V., also commonly known as the Vocationists, is a Catholic Church, Catholic clerical religious congregation founded by Fr Giustino Russolillo in 1920. See also * St Winefride's Church, Holywel ...
, who today manage the building as a retirement home for the elderly.


Events

* Fair of
Saint Stephen Stephen (; ) is traditionally venerated as the protomartyr or first martyr of Christianity."St ...
() – a
trade fair A trade show, also known as trade fair, trade exhibition, or trade exposition, is an exhibition organized so that companies in a specific Industry (economics), industry can showcase and demonstrate their latest Product (business), products and se ...
that occurs on the first Monday after
Easter Monday Easter Monday is the second day of Eastertide and a public holiday in more than 50 predominantly Christian countries. In Western Christianity it marks the second day of the Octave of Easter; in Eastern Christianity it marks the second day of Br ...
* Feast of Saint Anthony () – occurs on the second Sunday of July, on or around the
feast day The calendar of saints is the traditional Christian method of organizing a liturgical year by associating each day with one or more saints and referring to the day as the feast day or feast of said saint. The word "feast" in this context does n ...
of Anthony of Padua * – occurs annually on 12 August. A
food festival A food festival is a festival, that features food, often produce, as its central theme. These festivals have been a means of uniting communities through celebrations of harvests and giving thanks for a plentiful growing season. History Food fe ...
with homemade pasta and pork prepared according to traditional Salento recipes. Dishes include ''
porchetta Porchetta () is a savory, fatty, and moist boneless pork roast of Italian culinary tradition. The carcass is deboned and spitted or roasted traditionally over wood for at least eight hours, fat and skin still on. In some traditions, porchett ...
'' (known in Montesardo as ''pri-pri''), (a mixture of fried bread, turnips, and chickpeas), , ' ( leavened and fried dough; in the local dialect), '' fritta'', (wild
chicory Common chicory (''Cichorium intybus'') is a somewhat woody, perennial herbaceous plant of the family Asteraceae, usually with bright blue flowers, rarely white or pink. Native to Europe, it has been introduced to the Americas and Australia. M ...
), and (wild vegetables). The food is served with , a local wine produced from Salento grapes


References


Further reading

* Montefusco, Luigi Antonio (1994). . Istituto araldico salentino Amilcare Foscarini. * Caloro, Antonio, Melcarne, Antonio, Nicolì, Vincenzo (1994). . Laborgraf. * Pranzo, Alberto (2008). . Edizioni del Grifo. {{ISBN, 9788872613269. Frazioni of the Province of Lecce Cities and towns in Apulia Frazioni of Apulia Localities of Salento