It is early morning, about 27.5°C, when, from the highway Lecce – Gallipoli – Santa Maria di Leuca (exit Galatone), I head to Seclì, a village in the South West of Apulia. Indeed, it is not too far from the Ionian coast.
The small ancient church, dedicated to S. Antonio, (one of the patron saints of the village), is on the right side, at the beginning of the main street, which leads to the center of the village. The church was built around the end of the 16th Century together with the ancient monastery, where friars belonging to the order of Friars Minor lived following the Franciscan Rule.
On June 13th, in the early morning, locals and even people on foot from the neighboroughood, get to the church for the celebration of the mass in honor of the humble saint, on small pilgrimages made of prayers and old singing.
A very suggestive moment in all the celebration is when local bakeries and common people offer and share “the holy bread of S. Antonio” with the community, as sign of deep devotion toward the saint and old ritual to express thanks at the reaping time, which happens again and again one year after an other.
Es ist der Beginn des Sommers und wir freuen uns, wieder mit neuer Fotografie zu beginnen. Hier sind wir in Lecce, im Süden Apuliens. Kommen Sie mit mir für einen Spaziergang? Ein gutes Wochenende für alle!
Here we are finally reconnecting to nature! Let’s focus on the beautiful shots taken recently in this month of May. We are in the middle of Spring and now, more than ever, we have been given the great privilege of enjoying wonderful outstretched views, majestic natural landscapes made of bucolic simplicity, having a dip into local history and art. Indeed, these are among the featured elements, which make our Apulia land to look like a huge natural work space that is worth a visit.
Hello, here we are in the Easter week again! On this very special occasion, it is our own desire, first of all, to express a feeling of compassion on those, who are struggling against covid, hoping they could have soon a good recovery from it. Then, we would like to take the chance to be close to our customers, followers, friends and their own families to wish all the very best for a blessed Easter season.Of course, it is also our own wish to start with full activity in the hospitality field as soon as safer measures for the health of everybody will help and finally let us welcome our guests again for their holiday stay by our family accommodations here in Apulia, in the south of Italy.Thank you 🙏🌱🐣✨💖
A dominant impulse on encountering beauty is to wish to hold on to it, to possess it and give it weight in one’s own life. There is an urge to say ‘I was here, I saw this and it mattered to me’. ” – Alain de Botton
Soon, museums and special places of historical, artistic, spiritual architectural value and importance will open their doors again to both locals and travellers coming from other areas of the Country. Hopefully, these places of culture will be soon also available and enjoyable to visitors from other Countries, who can finally come to visit Italy again in safe conditions. Among a wide range of cultural spots, which are worth a visit in the South of Apulia, is Santa Caterina d’Alessandria basilica, that is a splendid gem of Romanesque and Gothic architectural style in Apulia region.
Santa Caterina D’Alessandria Basilica – the Front
Santa Caterina D’Alessandria Basilica – the Front
Santa Caterina D’Alessandria Basilica – the Front
It takes only 20/30 minutes from Lecce to reach this wonderful monument in Galatina by car. Besides, it is possible to park free and within a very short distance from the small square, in the historical center, where the basilica is situated. These pics were taken some time ago during a guided tour. On that occasion, a friendly and well trained guide introduced the amazing sceneries and frescoes of the basilica to visitors.
the frescoes in the basilica
the frescoes in the basilica
the frescos in the basilica
the frescoes in the basilica
Raimondello Orsini Del Balzo, a nobleman of the Kingdom of Naples, belonging to one of the most influential noble families in Italy between the Middle Age and the Renaissance era, was the main customer of the basilica that was built on the preexistent foundations of a Byzantine church. Later on, after he died, his wife, Maria d’Enghien, countess of Lecce, kept on with the leading role of costumer and ordered the execution of the precious frescoes, which nowadays we can admire in the basilica, to artists coming from different areas of Italy and basically from Giotto and the Senese school of painting.
Details in the frescos
Details in the frescos
Details in the frescos
The legend tells that Prince Raimondello, coming from Holy Land, stopped by the Saint Catherine’s Monastery in the Sinai region to pray on the corps of the saint. They say, Raimondello, while in the act of kissing her hand, took one of her fingers with him and hid it until he was in Italy. That finger is nowadays preciously treasured relic in the monastery next to the basilica.
After an uncertain weather, this early morning, finally here came the sun for saying good morning and wishing a good new week.It was time for driving along the Ionian coast, in the south of Apulia, to breath and contemplate the outstretched sea view. Blue crystal waters were calm and it was wonderful to stay there for little while, to listen to the regular sound of the waves chasing each other until fading on the sea shore, while the sun gently touched their foamy surface and made it shine.Serendipity. Few people on the small golden beach, made of very fine sand, and little children playing in a light-hearted mood.
After some weeks of ‘staying safe at home’, it is time for a new beginning and new perspectives by keeping safe measures upon every day life. Wishing a good week to everybody! <3
“Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky.” ― Khalil Gibran
Good morning! In these times of big challenges and opportunities, among the healthy habits we are rediscovering every day, there is the experiencing of ancient tastes inspired by making home bread on our own. Of course, according to the good choice of specific ingredients and their qualities, we can manage to bake the kind of bread that pairs well with other genuine tastes and flavours on our table.
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