Discover Crispiano

Crispiano can be explored through a range of themes: traces of prehistoric settlements, Byzantine and medieval sites, historic farmhouses, olive cultivation and local products. If you are looking for a hotel in Crispiano, these distinctions can help you plan your trip. Consider whether you would like to focus primarily on archaeological and historic sites, rural heritage or regional produce.

Archaeology and historic sites

Archaeological investigations in Parco del Vallone brought traces of prehistoric settlements to light in 2017. These include postholes from huts dating from between the 9th and 6th centuries BC. Cripta o Abbazia di Santa Maria di Crispiano offers a different historical connection: it dates from the 11th to 12th centuries and is of Byzantine origin. Grotte del Vallone is a complex rock settlement that was inhabited from the 12th century onwards.

Triglie lies partly within the area of Statte and partly within the area of Crispiano. The rock-hewn village of the same name developed on the slopes of the ravine between the 10th and 12th centuries. Triglie is also known as the site of origin of the imposing Roman aqueduct of the same name. The dates highlight the different historical connections: the traces in Parco del Vallone reach back to prehistory, while Cripta, Grotte and Triglie are associated with later Byzantine and medieval contexts.

Farmhouses, landscape and routes

Crispiano’s 100 Masserie comprise one hundred farmhouses dating from between 1400 and 1800. Torre Cacace has its own story: engineer Carlo Cacace had it built by 1873 to house the mortal remains of members of his family. The percorso dei briganti is a route where you can visit places said to be the settings for the legendary deeds of the brigands Don Ciro Annicchiarico and Cosimo Mazzeo, known as Pizzichicchio.

Over the years, thematic and tailor-made tourist routes have been created in Crispiano as part of the “100 Masserie” project. 100MASSERIEINTOUR promotes guided tours of Le Cento Masserie. Historic farmhouses, themed routes and places associated with the brigands thus offer different ways to explore the area’s history.

Masseria Russoli is a protected area covering around 192 hectares in total, part of which lies within the area of Crispiano and part within the area of Martina Franca. The area is characterised by scrubland and Mediterranean maquis; many of its trees are classified as monumental. Since 1981, the Masseria has been a centre for preserving the genetic heritage of the Martina Franca donkey breed. Access is available only as part of visits approved in advance. Check the arrangements for visiting before you arrive.

Olive-growing culture and regional products

Olives have been cultivated in Crispiano for centuries. Today, cultivation still relies on cold-pressing methods and the promotion of the native Olearola variety. Another local speciality is Pan Dei Briganti, a traditional festive sweet from Crispiano. These two themes offer different perspectives on local food culture: a long-standing olive-growing tradition centred on a named variety, and a sweet made for festive occasions.

100MASSERIEINTOUR organises tastings of local products as well as hands-on workshops about flour, oil, honey, milk and wild herbs. The workshops bring together different product and plant themes, while the tastings focus on local produce. Culinary experiences thus complement the historic sites as another way to plan your trip.

Discover more destinations: Faggiano, Mottola, San Marzano di San Giuseppe, Palagiano, Librari, Roccaforzata, Avetrana, Monteparano.

For the overview of the wider area: Taranto.