The best running trails around Collepasso

The quantity of lush greenery of the Mediterranean scrub keeps the naturalistic value of this crossed area high, so much so that you are amazed when you descend from the greenhouse on the east side, especially for the people of Tuglia who are used to peering towards the Ionian Sea. San Nicola di Macugno is its emblem, the History and the stories told that involve this place and Nature with the harmoniously integrated cultivated fields give beauty and joyfulness.

Built on the foundations of an ancient Byzantine defensive tower and remodeled several times starting from the 16th century until the 18th century, the period in which it took on its current form desired by the feudal lord Oronzo Leuzzi. Declared a building of cultural interest since 1987, it deserves to be visited without any doubt.

Among the most fascinating aspects of Puglia there are undoubtedly the large palaces, castles and farms, symbols of a past of nobles and slaves. Among these, the Baronial Palace of Collepasso stands out, of still uncertain origins but whose artistic and historical value is very evident. Built with typical Lecce stone, the clean square shapes date back to the Norman-Swabian domination, while the square in front is very reminiscent of the Spanish "plaza de armas".

Among the most fascinating aspects of Puglia there are undoubtedly the large palaces, castles and farms, symbols of a past of nobles and slaves. Among these, the Baronial Palace of Collepasso stands out, of still uncertain origins but whose artistic and historical value is very evident. Built with typical Lecce stone, the clean square shapes date back to the Norman-Swabian domination, while the square in front is very reminiscent of the Spanish "plaza de armas".

Inserted in a naturalistic context of absolute value, it is also worth visiting for the presence of its hypogea that are always accessible. Here is the link passionate and beautiful story of Salogentis https://www.salogentis.it/2014/11/15/labbazia-di-san-nicola-di-macugno-neviano/

Inserted in a rural context rich in historical testimonies, 100 meters above sea level, in a dominant position on the fertile “Ruga valley”, the abbey complex probably originated in the fourteenth century. Mentioned in several documents, in 1378 and 1412, which sanction its geographical belonging to the territory of Neviano and to the jurisdiction of the Neretine curia, the small village of Macugno performed a mandatory stop function for pilgrims heading to Santa Maria di Leuca, for the traders and shepherds who periodically split the hinterland along the junction of the two ports of Gallipoli and Otranto.

The baronial palace is the result of various interventions and expansion works, which ended in the eighteenth century with the feudal lord Oronzo Leuzzi. It incorporates an ancient building built in 1576 by Pietro Massa, on top of another already existing one, that is a defense tower from the Byzantine era. This palace became the center of Collepassese political and cultural activity under the hegemony of Baroness Aurora Leuzzi. Restoration works took place in 1992 and 2006. It has been a building of cultural interest since 1987, the year of the transfer of ownership to the Municipality

Included in the Salento Fortificazioni collection https://www.komoot.it/collection/1396951/-salento-fortificazioni - By decree of the Minister for Cultural and Environmental Heritage of 6 October 1987, the castle or Baronial Palace of Collepasso was declared property of "particularly important interest" pursuant to Law 1 June 1939 n. 1089, on the protection of things of artistic and historical interest [source: https://fondoambiente.it/luoghi/palazzo-baronale?ldc]