There is a little-known aspect of Salento that deserves attention: industrial archaeology. This sector, often overlooked, represents a precious testimony of the economic and social transformation of the territory between the 19th and 20th centuries. In this article we will explore the main testimonies of industrial archaeology in Salento, with concrete examples and reflections on their historical value and the possibilities of recovery.

What is meant by Industrial Archaeology?

Industrial archaeology is the discipline that studies the material remains of the industrial era: abandoned factories, production plants, infrastructures and technologies of the past. These sites are not just ruins, but real historical documents that tell the economic and cultural transformations of a territory.

In the case of Salento, industrialization has left significant traces, especially in the sectors of wine production, textiles, tobacco and in the extraction of Lecce stone.

Testimonies of Industrial Archaeology in Salento

1. Distilleries and Wineries
Salento has a long winemaking tradition and, between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, numerous distilleries and industrial cellars marked the economic development of the region.

Distilleries: a great example of industrial archaeology. They were once a point of reference for the distillation of grape marc and the production of alcohol.
Abandoned Social Cellars: numerous winemaking structures were abandoned after the decline of some local productions. Some of these cellars still preserve large barrels and machinery from the early 20th century.

2. Tobacco Factories
The tobacco industry had a huge impact on the economy of Salento. Many factories, now abandoned, were work centers for hundreds of people, especially women.

Manifattura Tabacchi di Lecce: a large factory that for decades represented a hub of the local economy. Today it is a partially unused area, but it could be redeveloped for cultural uses.
Tobacco factories in southern Salento: many structures, in a state of abandonment, are located in the municipalities of Tricase, Maglie and Nardò. The recovery of these buildings could enhance the historical memory of the sector.

3. The Lecce Stone Quarries
The extraction of Lecce stone is one of the oldest activities in Salento, but industrial techniques have left indelible marks on the landscape.

The Cursi and Melpignano Quarries: some still active, others abandoned, show how the stone industry has changed the territory.
Ancient Extraction Machinery: in some areas you can still find rusty tools, such as cranes and pulleys, witnesses of the golden age of stone processing.

4. The Textile Industries
In the 20th century, Salento hosted numerous textile industries, many of which are now in a state of decay.

Spinning and Wool Mills of Maglie: once an important production center, today only disused buildings remain that could be recovered for exhibition or cultural spaces.

The Value of Recovery and Redevelopment

The recovery of abandoned industrial structures represents a unique opportunity for Salento. Some virtuous examples show how industrial heritage can be enhanced:

The De Giorgi Distillery in San Cesario di Lecce: Founded in the early twentieth century, the De Giorgi Distillery was a pillar of the local industry, specializing in the distillation of grape marc and the production of alcohol. After the cessation of operations, the building suffered significant degradation until an ambitious recovery project was launched. Today, the distillery has been transformed into a multipurpose cultural center, hosting an International Community Artistic Residency dedicated to theater, training and social inclusion. The recovery included interventions on the historic garden and external appurtenances, giving the community a usable green space. Buildings such as the “Spogliatoio”, the “Bottai”, the “Officina” and the “Depots” have been restored, with the removal of asbestos elements and the restoration of the entrance from via Ferrovia.

The Melpignano quarries: they represent another significant example of industrial archaeology in Salento. These quarries, from which the prized Lecce stone was extracted, have shaped the local landscape and influenced the economy of the area. In recent years, projects have been launched for the environmental recovery of these abandoned areas, transforming them into usable public spaces. An example is the initiative of the Municipality of Melpignano to create a peri-urban park in the area of ​​​​the abandoned quarries, with the aim of creating an oasis of peace and well-being a few steps from the city center. The project includes the reforestation of the area, the creation of nature trails, children’s play areas, picnic areas and an educational garden, using native plant species and sustainable irrigation systems.

The Railway Museum of Lecce has been defined as a true jewel of industrial archaeology. The article highlights how the museum represents a point of reference for the historical memory of rail transport in the city, collecting remains, machinery and period documents that testify to the technological and social evolution of the railways. Through thematic exhibitions and immersive itineraries, the museum offers an experience that combines innovation and tradition, enhancing the local industrial heritage and underlining the importance of preserving this memory for the cultural identity of the territory.

​The Archaeoindustrial Museum of Terra d’Otranto (MAI), located in Maglie, was established to enhance and narrate the historical industrial memory of the Capo di Leuca territory. This territory, known as the “Emporium of Southern Salento”, owes its fame to the ingenuity of artisans, entrepreneurs and landowners who contributed to the development of the local agri-food and manufacturing industries. The museum is housed in the former factory of the Piccinno Brothers, well-known cabinetmakers, later used as a warehouse for tobacco processing. This building represents a symbol of the collective memory of Maglie and was recognized as being of cultural interest in 2003. The MAI is divided into two main sections: ​

– Industry of Terra d’Otranto: dedicated to the industrial history of the area corresponding to the current provinces of Lecce, Brindisi and Taranto. ​

– Industrial Maglie: focused on the production activities that have made the city a point of reference in southern Salento. ​

In addition to the exhibitions, the museum offers a virtual room that illustrates local production activities and their technological evolution. Furthermore, the MAI offers guided tours that explore the industrial and artisanal heritage of the area, allowing visitors to discover stories and innovations that have characterized the production tradition of Maglie.

The recovery of abandoned industrial sites such as the De Giorgi Distillery, the Melpignano quarries, and the creation of dedicated Museums, not only preserve the historical memory of the area, but also offer new cultural, social and economic opportunities. These projects demonstrate how it is possible to transform abandoned places into vital spaces for the community, promoting environmental sustainability and enhancing local identity.

However, many structures remain unused and risk total abandonment. An approach oriented towards recovery and reuse could transform these places into spaces for cultural tourism, museums of industrial memory or artistic centers.

Conclusion

The industrial archaeology of Salento is a resource that is still little valued, but which could offer new cultural and tourist opportunities. The recovery of distilleries, quarries, spinning mills and factories would not only preserve the historical memory of the territory, but would give new life to spaces otherwise destined for degradation. The challenge for the future will be to transform these places into real points of reference for the culture and identity of Salento.