ON THE OCCASION OF THE HALLOWEEN HOLIDAY, THE ABBEY OF SANTA MARIA DI CERRATE IN LECCE WILL WELCOME HUNDREDS OF VISITORS, TRANSFORMING ITSELF INTO A STAGE OF STORIES AND LEGENDS, WHICH WILL ENJOY EVERY CORNER OF THIS MILLENARY PLACE WITH TALES OF FEAR, MYSTERY AND CHARM
“Not just Halloween”. A journey through the history and legends of Cerrate
For those who will have the privilege of visiting theCerrate Abbeythe experience will be a real journey through time. Guided tours will reveal the history of the monastery, built between the end of the 11th and the beginning of the 12th century, when the Norman noble Bohemond of Hautevilleson of Robert Guiscardfounded a coenobium (a community) of Greek monks, refugees in Salento to escape the iconoclastic persecutions of Byzantium. Over the centuries, the abbey was not only a place of worship, but also an active agricultural centre, with oil mills, stables and mills.
Immersed in an enchanted landscape, among olive groves and fruit trees, Cerrate has a double soul: spiritual and rural. Visitors will discover how, after being one of the most important abbeys in Puglia, Cerrate fell into ruin due to a devastating sack by Turkish pirates in 1711, ending up abandoned for centuries. Only recently, thanks to the intervention of FAI (Italian Environment Fund), this architectural jewel has returned to shine, preserving its Byzantine frescoes and its ancient Romanesque church intact.
Legends and mysteries: the foundation of the Abbey and the vision of Tancredi d’Altavilla
According to a legend, the Cerrate Abbey was founded after a miraculous vision of Tancredi d’Altavillacount of Lecce. It is said that, during a hunting trip, the nobleman chased a doe up to a cave. Right there, in that remote and wild place, the image of the Madonna appeared to him. Considering the event as a divine sign, Tancredi decided to found a monastery, a place of prayer and refuge. This legendary tale has fascinated generations and adds a veil of mystery to the walls of Cerrate, which still seem to resonate with ancient prayers and popular tales.
Spooky atmosphere and scary stories: Halloween is approaching
In these days of Halloweenthe Cerrate Abbey will come alive with disturbing tales and legends that evoke the past. In the shadows of its walls and in the naves of the church, visitors will be able to hear stories that speak of apparitions and mysterious sounds, which are sometimes said to resonate among the ancient stones. It is said, for example, that the soul of a Byzantine monk persecuted for his iconoclastic ideas still wanders in the abbey garden, seeking peace and redemption. The centuries-old olive trees that surround Cerrate, with their twisted shapes and deep roots, seem to be witnesses of remote times and silent guardians of dark secrets. But there’s more.
A dive into tradition: the Salento cucuzza, the storyteller, the laurieddhu and the macare
In addition to the guided tour, children will be able to participate in a workshop dedicated to “Cucuzza” Salento, the typical pumpkin which, in this period of the year, becomes a symbol of imagination and creativity. Each little participant will have the opportunity to decorate their own fruit, collected directly in the abbey garden, transforming it into a unique creature, inspired by the fantastic stories and traditions of the place.
But the experience won’t stop there. Children and adults will be enraptured by the fascinating narrations of a storyteller, who will give life to a small theater animated by images and sounds. The theme of the stories? The legends of the Salento peasant tradition, handed down from generation to generation. In particular, mysterious and suggestive figures such as i laurieddhi and the macaretestimony to the ancient and profound bond between man and nature that still permeates this land.
The former, also called Salento elves, are small mischievous beings, spirits linked to the earth and the rural world. It is said that they live in houses and fields, hiding behind dry stone walls or among the roots of olive trees. They love to play pranks on the inhabitants, moving objects, messing up the crops and sometimes braiding the manes of the horses.
However, let us not be impressed: laurieddhi are considered benign and in some way protectors of nature and rural life, a symbol of that mysterious force that animates the countryside.
Macares, on the other hand, are female figures, often represented as witches or healers, custodians of ancient and mysterious knowledge. Sometimes viewed with suspicion, it is said that these creatures can cast spells and curses, but also cure ailments through herbs and potions. Their connection with nature is profound, and their herbal knowledge is lost in the mists of time, intertwined with popular spirituality.
Small curiosity: it is believed that their power is strongest on full moon nights, when, gathered in secluded places, they give life to rituals that frighten and fascinate at the same time. To allay the fear of Halloween, you can dive into the gastronomic traditions of Salento.
Lunch: authentic flavors of Salento
For those who choose to extend the experience, the Salento picnic basket will be a real discovery of local flavours. Visitors will be able to taste the typical “puccia”characteristic Salento bread with a crunchy and golden crust, a soft and slightly honeycombed interior, stuffed with black olives, capocollo from Martina Franca, caciocavallo and grilled vegetables. Or a stuffed potato pitta, accompanied by a pumpkin-based dessert, in perfect autumn style. Consuming these typical dishes outdoors, surrounded by nature and history, will make the experience even more authentic and memorable.
Happy Halloween!