Amid the folds of the Salento landscape—land of ancient traditions and popular faith—votive shrines represent a cultural and spiritual heritage of great value. These small altars, scattered throughout historic town centers and hidden among the olive groves of the countryside, tell ancient stories, legends, and devotional practices that weave together the sacred and the everyday, vernacular architecture and collective imagination.
The Origins and Meaning of Votive Shrines
The term aedicula, in ancient Rome, referred to a small temple or sanctuary, a miniature version of the grand temples dedicated to the gods. In Salento, this tradition evolved into votive shrines: small sacred spaces built outdoors, often embedded into the walls of houses or along country roads, intended to host sacred images of saints, Madonnas, or religious symbols.
Born from the desire to express faith and gratitude—as well as to seek protection and safety—these shrines have played a central role in the spiritual and social life of Salento communities over time.
Town and Country Shrines: Functions and Differences
In the urban fabric of Salento towns, votive shrines are often placed on street corners, small squares, or in front of churches and historic buildings. Here, they become spaces for daily prayer and neighborhood gatherings, guardians of a heartfelt and humble popular religiosity. They also serve to mark important places or devotional routes.
In the countryside, however, the shrines often had a dual purpose: both religious and practical. They served as reference points for farmers and travelers, symbols of protection against storms, illness, or the dangers of working the land. Often located along paths or back roads, they acted as sacred signposts and keepers of legends tied to the land and its rhythms.
The Cunneddhe: Small Architectural Symbols of Identity
In Lower Salento, particularly in the rural areas between Presicce, Acquarica, and Specchia, votive shrines often take the form of what are locally known as cunneddhe. These are small square or rectangular structures with barrel or domed vaults, built entirely of dry stone or plastered, housing sacred images and Marian icons.
The term cunneddha derives from the Latin connetta (small room) and refers to a small covered space, used either for worship or as a resting place for travelers. Often camouflaged among olive trees, these structures act as true rural temples, steeped in spirituality and collective memory.
A striking example can be found in the countryside of Patù, along the road to Marina di San Gregorio: a small shrine made of squared stone blocks houses a now-faded fresco of the Madonna del Passo, venerated as the protector of travelers.
Stories, Legends, and Miracles
Votive shrines are often linked to numerous folk tales and miracles passed down through generations. Stories tell of blessings received, sudden healings, apparitions, and divine protection during disasters. In many communities, these shrines became essential stops during patron saint festivals or processions, nurturing an intimate and collective relationship with the sacred.
In Galatone, for instance, the famous shrine dedicated to the Santissimo Crocifisso della Pietà, carved in stone, gave rise to a widespread devotion that still draws pilgrims from across Salento. In Specchia, the shrine of the Madonna del Rosario on the façade of Palazzo Risolo continues to receive votive offerings during festive days.
Architectural and Artistic Importance
Though often modest in size, votive shrines are precious examples of vernacular architecture. Characterized by simple yet elegant forms—arches, pediments, and niches—they are adorned with frescoes, paintings, statues, or ceramic tiles. They often reflect the styles and influences of the times and regions in which they were built, representing a continuum between folk art and sacred architecture.
The VIVART Project in Parabita: Reviving Tradition Through Contemporary Art
In Parabita, a small town in the heart of Salento, votive shrines are experiencing a renaissance thanks to the VIVART project—an initiative involving sixteen contemporary Italian and international artists invited to reinterpret these popular sanctuaries through site-specific works.
Some shrines, previously abandoned, and others newly built according to traditional canons, have become vessels for sculptures, installations, and paintings that engage with the place and its history. Artists such as Mimmo Paladino, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Luigi Presicce, and many others have transformed the historic center and rural areas of Parabita into a widespread art trail that merges ancient spirituality with contemporary languages.
Mayor Stefano Prete emphasizes how VIVART represents a bridge between past and future, capable of reactivating public spaces, stimulating shared experiences, and bringing value to the town’s hidden heritage, turning it into a true “City of the Contemporary.”
Conclusion
The votive shrines of Salento are much more than simple small altars: they are keepers of memory, symbols of cultural and architectural identity, and living spaces of faith and connection. Through initiatives like VIVART, this precious heritage continues to evolve, renewed and enriched by its encounter with contemporary art—ensuring the survival of a tradition that speaks to the heart of the Salento community and to all who visit this land.