Museo Faggiano Lecce

As we headed towards the Castello Carlo V this morning we passed through the market area but not much was happening. I guess the predicted 36 degrees was keeping the shoppers away. At 10 am it was 32 degrees, felt like 34.

The castle is close by our accommodation and is a mix of ruins and restored areas. It was first built in the Middle Ages and was greatly modified by Charles V of Hapsburg in 1539. The castle is quite extensive and is used for exhibitions and events, but to our great disappointment the Cartapesta or Paper Maché  Museum is no longer freely available to see. It is now part of a guided tour of the whole castle and that would severely restrict my ability to learn about and observe the cartapesta. Sadly we had to leave without seeing this very local Salento craft.

The Museo Faggiano is a private museum that came about when the householder  Luciano Faggiano needed to improve the sewage system so he could open a restaurant. It was discovered that the building sat on a rich history.  It has 2500 years of archeological history discovered beneath this private residence.

This ranges from Messapi (5th century B.C) to the Romans, from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. it is all there to see, a network of tunnels, cisterns, secure places and rooms that over the times have been occupied by several groups of people. It was a Templar home from 1000 to 1200 and up to the 1600s was occupied by a Convent of Franciscan Nuns of Saint Clare.

The excavation work that was funded by the Faggiano family has also shown up tombs, a granary, wells, ossuary, templar frescos, a chapel, escape routes and thousands of archaelogical finds.

With English notes in hand we explored this interesting site, Kel climbing down small circular steps into small areas, as we checked out four floors of history. On the roof top was a small observation tower for security in the past but which gave an interesting overview of the area now. Wall to wall churches really.

With so many narrow lane ways you can often find yourself coming out somewhere other than where you expected. We enjoy this and are often amazed at how close to home we end up.

As the temperature rose we wilted a little so stopped at the pasticceria bar where we were introduced to pasticciotto cakes on our first day. Having a shady outdoor area they were very popular and we were lucky to get a table. Kel was yearning for a cold beer and he got me a lemon granita. It was so delicious and cooling (brain freezing actually!) and the glass and silver spoon added to the pleasure.