One of the most remarkable features of Galatina is its beautiful historic center, which preserves a medieval layout with narrow streets, charming squares, and elegant buildings.
Church of Saints Peter and Paul the Apostles
Construction of Church of Saints Peter and Paul the Apostles began in the late 14th century. The façade of the church features intricate decorations while the interior is equally impressive, with grand arches, columns, and a wooden coffered ceiling. There is a stunning cycle of frescoes, considered one of the finest examples of late medieval painting in Southern Italy. Preserved in a precious reliquary are the relics of Saint Paul the Apostle.
Pasticciotto
The pasticciotto is a traditional Italian pastry that originated in this Village of Galatina. Its history can be traced back to the 18th century when it was created by local bakers. The name “pasticciotto” is derived from the Italian word “pasticcio,” which means “mess” or “mixture.” This name reflects the pastry’s original purpose, as it was made to use up leftover ingredients and scraps of dough. The pasticciotto was initially a way to minimize waste in the bakery.
It consists of a sweet pastry shell filled with a rich and creamy custard-like filling. Traditionally, they were enjoyed during special occasions and religious holidays, but now they are now available year-round. We stopped for a pasticciotto at this pasticerria that has been handmaking the traditional recipe since the 1700s!
St. Catherine in Galatina (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
The Church of St. Catherine in Galatina was built in the 14th century, and dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a 4th-century Christian saint who was martyred for her faith. It was once the site of a convent, and it was also used as a hospital during the Middle Ages. The church was damaged during the Napoleonic Wars, but it was restored in the 19th century.
The church is famous for its beautiful frescoes, which were painted in the 15th century by a group of artists known as the “Giotto School.” The frescoes depict scenes from the life of Saint Catherine, as well as other religious subjects. A silver reliquary contains a finger of Saint Catherine.
Taranta Night and Pizzica Music
Galatina is also renowned for its religious festival known as the “Taranta Night.” This annual event is dedicated to the traditional music and dance of the Taranta, a folk style associated with the Tarantula spider bite remedy. The festival features live performances (this link shows a performance of the Pizzica,) a lively and energetic dance, as well as concerts and cultural activities.
Italian Identity!
Silvio used this cigarette machine to explain the Electronic Identity Card (CIE)…the card that identifies Italian citizens. The card is used for everything, including the purchase of cigarettes! Big Brother knows a lot about you here in Italy!!
L’ Astore Masseria
We finished off our day with a wonderful lunch and wine tour/tasting at the L’ Astore Masseria. A Masseria is a traditional fortified farmhouse found in the Puglia Region. Masseria date back to the 7th-8th century BC when they were originally built as fortified farms to protect the inhabitants from bandits and invaders. Over time, Masseria became more elaborate and was used as a combination of farmhouse, granary, and stable.
An item we ate a lot of in Italy was beans…particularly fava beans. The bean has a long history in Italian cuisine and is an integral part of various traditional dishes. They have been cultivated in Italy since ancient times and continue to be a popular ingredient in Italian cooking.
The Masseria was surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. We were given a tour of the underground olive oil mill from the 1700s as well as the wine cellar.
