Erchie: Churches, Art and Festivals

Erchie combines sacred architectural history, a Messapian past and traditional festival traditions. Local eating habits and patron-saint festivals also give the town its own cultural rhythm.

Churches with Layers of History

The present-day Chiesa Matrice della Natività di Maria Vergine was completed in 1782. Its transformation from an old chapel had already begun in 1706; the floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross. The present-day church should be distinguished from the older chapel. For planning visits, opening hours are from 6:30 p.m. on weekdays and at 7:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays and public holidays.

The Santuario di Santa Lucia was designated a diocesan shrine by Bishop Alberico Semeraro on 8 April 1953. Next to the Chiesa Matrice stands the Chiesa di San Nicola, which dates from 1650. It contains an artistically designed bier with a statue of the dead Christ dating from between 1715 and 1730.

Palazzo, Calvario and the Messapian Past

The Palazzo Ducale was built between 1775 and 1787 by Pietro Laviano, Marchese di Tito and Duke of Satriano, as a summer residence for the feudal lords. The interior doors feature masked figures from the 19th century. In 1935, the Calvario was moved to its present location and rebuilt true to the original. At the beginning of the 19th century, the Calvario was built in place of the Colonna dell’Osanna, which had previously closed off Via Calvario to the north.

The Calvario consists of an arched backdrop with five niches. On 16 March 2008, polychrome majolica panels depicting the Crucifixion, the trial of Jesus, the encounter with Mary, the Deposition from the Cross and the empty tomb were installed there. The Grotta dell'Annunziata dates from the 5th to 4th century BC and originated in the Messapian period. Between the 10th and 11th centuries AD, it served as a refuge for Basilian monks.

There are no fixed opening hours for the Grotta dell'Annunziata; access depends on availability. The Chiesa Matrice, on the other hand, has fixed visiting hours on weekdays and on Sundays and public holidays.

A Tour and Traditions in Erchie

Erchie has the “Itinerario delle chiese cittadine” tour. The rural eating custom known as “poscia de fiche” involved eating a few dried figs carried in one’s pocket while working in the fields. At the patron-saint festivals on 13 December, 19 March, the second Thursday after Easter and 5 June, traditional dishes, small markets and illuminations are part of the celebrations. The Saint Joseph celebrations in Erchie also included a traditional bonfire and the “mattre”.

More Places for Your Regional Selection

If you would like to compare destinations beyond Erchie, you can also consider Cellino San Marco, Rosa Marina, San Vito Dei Normanni, San Pancrazio Salentino, Ceglie Messapica, Casalini, Torchiarolo and Ostuni in your considerations.

For the overarching travel overview: Brindisi.