Discover Supersano

Supersano offers a range of starting points for planning a trip: architectural history, archaeological traces, Mediterranean landscapes and local traditions. If you are looking for a hotel in Supersano, you can first consider which of these themes you want to shape your stay. Church architecture and archaeology offer a different focus from the maquis, the regional landscape or a trip planned around traditional events.

Architectural history and archaeological traces

The medieval tower of Castello Manfredi was probably Supersano’s first defensive structure; it may have been built under the Normans in the 12th century. In Località Scorpo, there is an early medieval village with pit houses. This type of settlement is so far unique in southern Italy.

The Santuario della Beata Vergine di Coelimanna dates from the early 16th century and was completed in 1746 after alterations. Its interior has a Greek-cross floor plan and a complex masonry vault. On the 18th-century high altar, a papier-mâché high relief depicts a shepherdess showing the parish priest the Blessed Virgin of Coelimanna.

The Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo also reveals several phases of construction: after its reconstruction, it was consecrated in April 1740. An extension in 1933 gave it its present Latin-cross shape. The façade is made of Carparo masonry blocks and is divided into two tiers by an entablature. Comparing the churches therefore brings together different floor plans and specific details of vaults, high altars and façade design.

Maquis and nature themes

The Bosco della Serra di Mucurone is an area of about 2,000 m² covered in Mediterranean maquis. Old country paths known as tratturi run through the woods, where you can observe the region’s rich biodiversity. The visitor centre features dioramas on the forest’s flora and fauna, educational panels and a model of the water cycle. Nature themes therefore focus both on the landscape itself and on its plant and animal life.

The Parco Naturale della Serra di Coelimanna is also covered in Mediterranean maquis. The park’s rare plants include flowering ash, terebinth and chestnut. A fully equipped outdoor area has been created close to the Cripta and the Santuario della Beata Vergine di Coelimanna. It offers opportunities for picnics and sporting activities; wellness trails are also among the facilities available there.

Supersano in the Parco dei Paduli

Supersano is one of the municipalities in the Parco dei Paduli. The park covers a 5,500-hectare rural landscape with ancient olive groves, dry-stone walls, masserie, menhirs and other cultural and landscape features. This makes it possible to consider the town in a broader regional context without conflating its own historical and landscape themes with those of the park as a whole.

The Parco dei Paduli connection project includes Supersano and follows a route of about 30 kilometres through agricultural, natural and historical landscapes around local settlements. The approximate length and variety of landscapes give an idea of the scope of the regional project. When planning your trip, you can take this wider context into account alongside the town’s individual buildings, settlement traces and nature themes.

Traditions and regional cuisine

On 19 March, Massa e ciciri, a dish of chickpeas and homemade pasta, is traditionally prepared in honour of Saint Joseph. Carnival includes a tradition dating back to 1980 of annual parades with masked groups and allegorical floats. If you want to plan your trip specifically around Carnival or the 19 March tradition, check the dates for the year in question. This lets you combine the town’s architectural and landscape themes with a suitable seasonal focus.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Maglie, Diso, Uggiano La Chiesa, San Donato Di Lecce, Acquarica Del Capo, Presicce, Carmiano, Bagnolo Del Salento

For the main travel overview: Lecce.