"The south is another country." This statement is nowhere more true than in Italy, where, according to stereotypes, the North represents prosperity, Fiat, the Armani, major universities, good food and variety anagennisiakon memorials and the South means poverty, lawlessness and cultural «desert».
However, in recent decades, this separation of North and South has begun to collapse, as Northern discovered the unique beaches of the south and blue seas, while Rome funds invested in infrastructure, giving the South some of the best and most empty by opening roads in the country.
When I arrived at Lecce, 50 kilometres south of Printezi in takouni "boot" of Italy, late afternoon Saturday, vgika directly for a walk. The streets of Lecce esfyzan from life. It was as if the entire population of the city, which does not exceed 100,000, had decided to wear both the good of clothes and go out to walk in the city.
Walked along the pezodromimenis Via Vittorio Emanuele, passing the amazing baroque churches of the 17 th century, the monasteries and palaces which is the main attraction for tourists visiting Lecce. Like a wedding tourtes tiered, carved in stone, though the locals more interested in the tourtes which are eaten. Lecce is the Mecca of zacharoplasteion, gelaterie and stalls with sweets, which have so much work and The pubs of London the Savvatovrado.
In bars Natale, the Silvia presented me with pride the local specialties: the pasticciotto, a round cake filled with lemon cream. Immediately after, katefthynthikame to the huge square, Piazza Sant 'Oronzo. On days of fascism, a large part of this medieval square was removed, to reveal a Roman amphitheatre, the effort of Mussolini to link himself with megalosyni of Ancient Rome, but now seems sad and abandoned, while bars that surround serve as parking machines and bicycles.
The other side of the square was demolished a decade of the'60s and replaced by banks. However there is still a charming church of San Marco next to the statue's own Sant 'Oronzo, who stands at the top of a pole that once served to signal the end of Appias Road, looking to bottom, the inhabitants of Lecce allegedly has saved from the plague.
Since leave their homes, residents living outside of Lecce. The crowd remained on the streets for hours - kosmosyrroi remained the same from 7 pm to 11 pm.
Since the South «pidise» Renaissance and went in through the Baroque, do not expect that Lecce will be like Florence or Venice. But if, like me, like the medieval art anyway, the surrounding area is still unknown but a priceless treasure.
At a distance of one hour by car from Lecce, will meet the Finibus Terrae - the end of the earth, free translation. It is the Party, according to legend, Saint Pierre protopatise on Italian soil. According to another legend, St. Pierre found the party so unique that called on Christians to visit at least once in their lives, whether or not succeed, to bring souls here before Kathartirio.
I had heard that can be turbulent at the end of the cape and see the place where the «green» Ionian Sea meets the blue Adriatic, but a beacon of something ships have not left me to thafmaso the «meeting».
The monument Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Leuca, 20 th century architecture, which occupies the remainder Finibus Terrae, not of particular interest, although it is interesting that this is the sixth church, which has been built at the same point. The previous five were isopedothei by the Turks.
Known as "the eastern guard" of Italy, Salento is a border area which has cultural «crucible» for centuries before limnasei stuck in a rut. In the west, the absence of planned development distorts the sandy Ionian coast. But to the east, the landscape is unique, with the white cliffs of the Adriatic coast to fall sharply in the blue sea, while the newly built villas and hotels fit harmoniously into the landscape.
I wanted to see and Otranto, a small port now sees in the mountains of Albania, the 1480 has become a scene of unprecedented slaughter was shocked to Christianity, when the Turks were apokefalisei 800 locals. The conflict between east and west is not something New in Salento.
The relics of the witnesses are in the cathedral of Otranto, but there is also an impressive floor of the 12 th century, with 600 meters mosaic depicting Alexander the Great and King Arthouro next to the Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Islamic patterns, zodiaka symbols and figures from classical mythology. The mosaic of kathedrikou of Otranto is an optimistic vision of cultural coexistence and diversity.
