Discover Carmiano: Churches, Palazzi and Landscapes

Churches, Palazzi and Buildings in Carmiano

The Chiesa dell'Immacolata stands outside the center of Carmiano on the road to Villa Convento. Its façade features a portal surrounded by bands and rosettes; there are also two frescoed niches. The central altar is traditionally attributed to the workshop of Giuseppe Zimbalo.

The present-day parish church of Maria SS. Assunta was completed in 1961 and consecrated on June 10, 1961. Its oldest surviving bell bears the year 1560. On Carmiano's main road, today's Via Roma, stands the chapel of Maria Ss.ma del Monte Carmelo, built around 1860. Its location on Carmiano's main road thus differs from that of the Chiesa dell'Immacolata, which is located outside the center.

The monumental Fontana monumentale is locally known as “la funtana rande”; it was first completed in 1922, when it was called “La fontana del Sele”. The oldest part of the Palazzo dei Celestini dates from the first half of the 14th century. This palazzo contains a chapel dedicated to San Donato, with an altar decorated with stucco and polychrome marble.

In the surrounding area of Carmiano are the Castello Angioino di Copertino, Palazzo Morelli, Palazzo Turrisi-Palumbo and Palazzo Tresca. A monumental entrance portal in Carmiano displays a Catalan-Durazzesque style. The flanking niches contain stone statues of virtues attributed to Giuseppe Zimbalo. The name Giuseppe Zimbalo thus appears both in the attribution of the central altar to his workshop and in connection with the stone statues of virtues.

Festivals and Living Traditions

Since the middle of the 19th century, the people of Carmiano have honored Our Lady of Mount Carmel with prayers and a festival on July 16, the liturgical feast day. The Festa di San Vito, in honor of co-patron San Vito Martire, is scheduled for the fourth Sunday in October and the following Monday. For scheduling purposes, the distinction is specific: July 16 remains a fixed date, while the festival of San Vito is determined by the fourth Sunday in October and the following Monday.

Valle della Cupa and Regional Destinations

Carmiano and the hamlet of Magliano are located in Valle della Cupa, a karst depression in the hinterland of Lecce. In the wider regional area around Carmiano are the beaches Spiaggia Porto Cesareo, Spiaggia Solemarebarocco, Spiaggia Le Dune and Spiaggia Scala di Furno. The landscape area concerns Carmiano and Magliano; the four beaches, on the other hand, are located in the wider regional area around Carmiano. These two geographical references remain separate in regional planning.

Other destinations besides Carmiano include Lucugnano, Tiggiano, Racale, Matino, Marina San Gregorio, Otranto, Castrignano De' Greci and Diso.

More about the region: Lecce.