Discover Squinzano: Holiday apartment in Squinzano amid churches and Salento traditions

Squinzano can be discovered through specific places and traditions. The Chiesa e Convento di Santa Maria delle Grazie, the Santuario dell’ Annunziata e della Madonna del Garofano, Villa Cleopazzo and the Vin'arte Wine and Oil Museum offer different cultural perspectives. When choosing a holiday apartment in Squinzano, you can therefore decide whether sacred history, local culture, rural excursions or the typical products of Salento will shape your stay.

Holiday apartment in Squinzano: Culture and living traditions

The Chiesa e Convento di Santa Maria delle Grazie was built in 1560 on the initiative of the local population as a gesture of gratitude that Squinzano had been freed from feudal subjugation to Lecce. At the end of the 17th century, it was extensively redesigned: the cloister corridor was used for the right nave, while the left nave was newly constructed. This means that a single building brings together its origins and later alterations.

Construction of the Santuario dell’ Annunziata e della Madonna del Garofano began on 12 November 1618 and was completed in 1627. On 25 March 1971, it was officially declared a sanctuary. The Santuario attracted residents of Squinzano and visitors from elsewhere, who came to venerate the image of the Madonna. In the days leading up to the feast of San Nicola, the faithful repeat the ritual of dressing the statue of the saint.

Historic buildings and cultural spaces

The Chiesa Matrice has a valuable choir made of dark walnut wood, carved in 1843 by the cabinetmaker Giuseppe Fella from Oria. Its bell tower was completed in 1658 and is 32 metres high. Those interested in craftsmanship, sacred spaces and historic construction phases will find particularly tangible details here.

Villa Cleopazzo was built between 1913 and 1917. Since 2003, the historic residence of the Cleopazzo family has housed Squinzano’s municipal library; more recently, it was expanded to include a media library and a library of newspapers and magazines.

Experiences between culture, tradition and excursions

The Sala Cenacolo is also part of Villa Cleopazzo: the central hall hosts conferences, concerts, film screenings and cultural evenings in general. These different formats make the venue interesting if you would like to experience travel impressions not only through buildings, but also through events and culture.

The Vin'arte Wine and Oil Museum in Squinzano provides an insight into the history and culture of Salento’s typical products. It offers guided tours that explore local traditions in depth.

In the nearby area southwest of Squinzano lies Poggio di Sant’Elia, which is considered a destination for romantic walks and rural excursions. When choosing your holiday apartment, you can therefore picture different types of holiday days side by side: sacred architectural history and religious tradition, the library and cultural evenings, local product traditions or a rural excursion.

More places for planning your trip

Melendugno, Posto Rosso, Conca Specchiulla, Pacci, Sanarica, Villaggio Resta, Torre Saracena, Castro Di Lecce

For the higher-level travel overview: Lecce.