The breathtaking beaches, the crystal clear waters and the ancient traditions that have remained unchanged over the centuries up to the present day are the elements that first and foremost push us to visit the Salento peninsula. However, in addition to these fascinating aspects, Salento preserves an extraordinary archaeological and natural heritage in the hinterland, which manifests itself in its mysterious rock caves, imposing dolmens, enigmatic menhirs, suggestive mirrors, characteristic pajare and lamie.
Rock Caves: A Journey into the Past
Even today we can admire the rock caves in the Salento countryside. Of karst origin, and often of an underground nature, these settlements set in the rock represent in large numbers the evidence of human presence since the prehistoric period, and manifest themselves in a fascinating labyrinth of tunnels and chambers.
Initially used as shelter, and for the celebration of mystery cults, with the advent of Christianity they were transformed into hermit places, or places of worship, taking the name of crypts, and enriched with brightly colored frescoes, in Byzantine style, which in part have survived to the present day. In other cases they were used as oil mills, exploiting the natural cavities in the ground.
Outside of these caves, in many cases real self-sufficient rock villages arose, actively inhabited until the 14th-15th centuries AD. of the Middle Ages.
In the locality of Macurano, in the municipality of Alessano, we find one of the most representative complexes of this typology.
Dolmens and Menhirs: Mysterious Megalithic Constructions
Among the centuries-old olive trees and dry stone walls of Salento, majestic dolmens and menhirs stand, evidence of the ancient civilization that populated this land. The characteristic element is their megalithic nature, that is, the fact that they were made with large single blocks of stone, monoliths, which in the case of the dolmen were arranged both vertically and horizontally, to create a tomb, while in the case the menhir was a monolith placed in a vertical position with respect to the ground, which could fulfill a funerary, auspicious and fertility, or astral function.
More discussed, however, is the origin and function of the mirrors, as according to some scholars they date back to the Neolithic, while for others they are to be found in the Messapian era, and even their function has not yet been completely clarified: being of the constructions built dry, with limestone, which formed a sort of turret, according to some paleontologists the mirrors were nothing more than the ruins of ancient and very large houses, which vaguely recall the structure of the trulli, while for others these structures were born as tombs or with the purpose of defense, being stone lookouts. Giudignano is the municipality with the largest number of dolmens, which scattered throughout its countryside are easily visible, and we find others especially in Minervino di Lecce, Melendugno and Salve.
The tallest menhir in Italy is located in Martano, where the “Menhir de Santu Totaru” measures over five meters in height, while near Giurdignano you can count over fifteen.
The Specchie di Martano, Ugento and Cavallino are very well known, and among the most famous there are also the three Specchie di Salve, known as Specchia Cantoro, Spriculizzie and Fersini. Another very important Specchia is that of the Mori, located in the Martano area, famous above all for its 6 meters of height: in fact it represents one of the most majestic structures present in the Salento area.
Between dolmens, menhirs and mirrors, there are over one hundred of these monuments throughout Puglia, of which much is still to be discovered regarding their rituality and who and why began to build them.
Pajare and lamie: Unesco heritage symbol of rural life
The history of this type of house is quite uncertain and in some cases controversial; their origin is certainly very ancient and, according to experts, can be dated back to 1,000 AD. approximately, in the Byzantine era, with the resulting material from the clearing of agricultural land, material with which the numerous dry stone walls were also built. But we cannot even rule out an origin in a much more ancient era, between 2000 BC. and the end of the Bronze Age, as an evolution of megalithic constructions such as mirrors.
One thing is certain, however, that the pajare are homes that are fully part of the landscape, and constitute a further architectural note of the territory. Conical in shape, they were built using stones of different sizes, both superimposed and fitted together, with a roof that is supported by the stones that form the walls.
Salento farmers used them as a place to spend rest periods after working in the fields, or as a refuge in case of sudden storms or downpours. In other cases, especially in summer, the pajare could also serve as a home in order to remain close to the fields.
Very widespread and appreciated, due to the presence inside the barrel vault, the lamia (or lama), an evolution of the pajara, with a rectangular plan and a large terrace, which lent itself to the same functions.
The pajara has its apotheosis in the colossal “Pagliarone Ferrante” (named after its owner), located in the countryside of Ruffano, which measures 26 meters wide on the entrance side and 13 on the other side, forming a rectangle composed of two domes and smaller rooms all placed together in a single body. Among the others of large dimensions we remember the elegant pajara in Salve, in the Scafazzi area, which is spread over five floors, and the Pajarone of Acquarica del Capo, of fine workmanship, with a truncated cone shape which rises on three steps to which It is accessed via six opposing flights of stairs.
Nature trails: visit the Salento countryside
In this article we have seen how the red earth of Salento is still dotted with archaeological evidence integrated with today’s landscape, bearers of a history that leaves many questions still open, but at the same time allows us to understand the reality of Today.
And precisely for this purpose, numerous groups have recently been created which take care of accompanying anyone who wishes to participate in visiting the most hidden and least known part of the Messapian territory, where between red earth, dry stone walls and more than 1,500 different plant species , the architectural forms of the past are easily accessible.
In conclusion, Salento reveals itself not only as a first-rate seaside destination, but also as a true archaeological and naturalistic treasure, rich in history, charm and beauty. A unique experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the thousand-year history of this fascinating region, discovering the secrets and hidden treasures that still characterize its identity today.