Holiday apartment in Scorrano: light art, festivals and history

Scorrano between light art and rural history

Scorrano combines festive light art, a historic town centre and the rural landscape surrounding the town. Sacred architecture and local history stand alongside traditional festivals, olive trees and the wider surroundings of the Parco dei Paduli.

Festivals with light and local specialities

The Festa di Santa Domenica is Scorrano’s patron saint festival and traditionally takes place from 5 July to 8 July. The light art of Scorrano developed in connection with the cult of Santa Domenica. It originated on the occasion of her festival as an expression of devotion through light. Another regular event in the annual calendar is the Fiera di Santa Lucia, which takes place every year on 13 December in Scorrano. As part of this fair, Pittule di Natale are served for tasting in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele.

Churches, squares and traces of the old town centre

The original town centre of Scorrano has preserved its historic structure, unlike the newer district. Porta Terra is the only surviving evidence of the old city wall that protected the medieval town. Palazzo Frisari stands in the heart of the town on the site where the city’s old castle once stood. The former Asilo di Mendicità, Palazzo Veris, at Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, was designated as the location of the Museo delle Luminarie di Puglia.

The Chiesa madre di Santa Domenica lies within the former city wall between Palazzo Frisari and the Chiesa della Purificazione. Its present structure combines elements from the 16th and 17th centuries. The interior is Baroque and has the plan of a Latin cross with three naves and several altars. During the major July celebrations, a reliquary canopy with the statue of Santa Domenica is carried in procession through the church.

Architecture from the hamlet to the cloister

In the Costantinopoli district, the Chiesa della Madonna di Costantinopoli is located on Via vicinale Silva. Its central plan, the single-nave, barrel-vaulted interior and the pointed bell gable with an opening give the building a clearly recognisable form. The Chiesa della Madonna della Luce has Greek-Byzantine origins. The Convento di San Francesco d’Assisi is also known as the Convento degli Agostiniani and is a two-storey square building arranged around a cloister surrounded by arcades, with the church on the eastern side. The associated Chiesa del Convento di San Francesco d’Assisi is also known as the Chiesa degli Agostiniani and dates from the 17th century. During the Christmas season, the Presepe di Sabbia is displayed in its cloister.

Olive groves and paths in the Parco dei Paduli

In the countryside of Scorrano, the menhir La Cupa 1 stands among centuries-old olive trees. Scorrano is one of the municipalities included in the area of the agricultural park Parco dei Paduli. In the wider regional surroundings of Scorrano, centuries-old olive trees, dry-stone walls and a network of paths come together to form a landscape with a distinctly rural character.

More places for planning your trip

Posto Rosso, Collemeto, Baia Verde, Torre Pali, Cavallino, Baia di Gallipoli, Corigliano D’otranto and Collepasso

For the higher-level travel overview: Lecce.