Holiday apartment in Surbo: Churches, festivals and rural character

Surbo combines religious tradition, historic buildings, festive events and a distinctly rural character. In the town and its surroundings, churches from different centuries meet courtyard houses, narrow lanes, church forecourts, farmhouses, olive groves and rural fields.

Churches and religious tradition

In September, civil and religious celebrations in honor of the town’s patron saint, Sant'Oronzo, take place from Friday to Sunday during the second week. The connection with Sant'Oronzo is also evident in Surbo’s mother church: the chapel dedicated to Sant'Oronzo was completed in 1667. The September event and the chapel link Sant'Oronzo in Surbo with a festival and a specific church building.

Santa Maria d'Aurio is a Romanesque church and the last visible testimony of the old Casale d'Aurio, which disappeared between the 15th and 17th centuries. The image of the Madonna di Loreto is carried in a procession on the Tuesday after Easter. This date is a separate religious occasion and should be distinguished from the September festival.

The church of Maria SS. di Loreto houses a 17th-century painting. The present building of the church of Santa Maria del Popolo in Surbo dates back to 1590. Surbo is therefore home to several churches, each with its own artistic, architectural and festive associations.

Townscape between lanes, courtyards and fields

Surbo’s historic center is characterized by courtyard houses and narrow lanes that alternate with spacious church forecourts. Small-scale pathways and open spaces in front of the churches thus coexist within the same townscape.

Farmhouses lie around Surbo among olive groves and rural fields. The rural setting is therefore reflected not only in individual landscape features, but also in the combination of farmhouses, groves and fields surrounding the town.

Historic sites in the Surbo area

Masseria Melcarne in the Surbo area is an ancient fortified complex that was later converted into an elegant aristocratic residence. Its history leads from its earlier fortified use to its later role as an aristocratic residence. The Abbey of Santa Maria di Cerrate is also accessible from Surbo.

Festivals and regional specialties

In June, Surbo hosts the sagra of «cazzateddha». The «Sagra della Piscialetta» took place in Surbo from 4 to 6 August 2023 and featured tastings of a special homemade ring-shaped pastry. The two events take place in different months; the August event is more specifically characterized in culinary terms by the homemade ring-shaped pastry.

Thus, alongside churches and historic buildings, Surbo’s annual calendar also features specific festival dates and a traditional local specialty.

Other destinations: Rosa Marina, Torre Saracena, Vernole, Collemeto, Castro Di Lecce, Frigole, Torre Dell'orso and Merine.

More information about Lecce.