Crispiano is a village located halfway between the splendid scenery of the Valle d’Itriaand Taranto, capital of Magna Graecia.
Crispiano, land of the 100 Masserie, is today recognized as the uniqueness of Puglia, as there is no such small territory where as many as one hundred farms are located, whose age varies between 1400 and 1800 d. C.
Crispiano has very ancient origins that date back to the Greek era, so much so that a tomb kit was found containing a diadem and two earrings which are part of the Gold of Taranto, kept in the MArTA of Taranto.
The “100 Masserie” project was started with the aim of enhancing this extraordinary heritage. Over the years, thematic and personalized tourist routes have been created, with a particular focus on hospitality. In addition to offering quality hospitality, experiential activities have been introduced, such as workshops dedicated to oil, wine, milk, honey and wild herbs.
The Torre Cacace is certainly the most significant symbol of Crispiano’s history and identity. It was built by the engineer. Carlo Cacace by 1873 to guard the mortal remains of his family members. The Tower, 30 meters high and octagonal in shape, enjoys a strategic position from where you can observe the Gulf of Taranto.
The Grotte del Vallone constitute a complex rock settlement and were certainly populated starting from the 12th century. They cut the town in half and were often a refuge for Basilian monks, who were persecuted by the eastern emperors. Subsequently, the Caves of the valley were the homes of the laborers and the first inhabitants of Crispiano. For over 30 years, the Vallone Caves have been the ideal location for performances of the “Living Nativity“.
The church of S. Maria, or church of S. Angelo, but for all the Cripianesi “Old Church”, dates back to 16th century, but presumably it was built on the ruins of a pre-existing church. It is located in the center of the medieval farmhouse of Crispiano. Of Ionic-Romanesque style, the church became the first parish of Crispiano. In recent years the Church has had various uses, today it is home to the Infopoint of the Municipality of Crispiano.
The CryptorAbbey of Santa Maria di Crispiano dates back to the 11th-12th century. Of Byzantine origin, inside it preserves wall paintings with inscriptions in Greek. Entirely dug into the tuff rock, it is certainly the most important of the entire Caves of the Vallone complex.
The Mininni Tower was designed in 1897 by the General of the Navy Engineers, Eng. Giuseppe Messina, Official Knight of His Majesty. the King of Italy. The Tower was built in the Defense grove and became a holiday resort for the General and his family.
The rock settlement of Triglie falls partly in the territory of Statte and partly in the Territory of Crispiano. Along the ridges of the Gravina between the 10th and 12th centuries. the homonymous rock farmhouse stood. Countless tunnels arranged in a fan converge in the Triglie valley, intercepting the water from numerous springs. This remote and very interesting place of worship is described in all the works on the rock settlements of the Taranto area. Triglie is also known as the place of origin of the impressive Roman aqueduct of the same name.
The Bosco delle Pianelle nature reserve marks the border between the municipalities of Martina Franca, Massafra and Crispiano. The Pianelle extend particularly in a north-west-south-east direction and are crossed by the Strada Statale 581 Martina-Massafra. This very interesting green lung represents one of the rare biotypes still well preserved present in the Apulian territory, it is rich in karst cavities, lush flora and varied fauna. According to some scholars, the Bosco delle Pianelle appears to be the third green lung of Italy.
The Pine Forest of the Quirico district or Pine Forest of San Simone is a true green lung of our territory, used in particular by athletes and familiesin their free time. La Pineta is equipped with a large and convenient car park.
The Carlo Natale’ Civic Library was established in 1964 thanks to the donation of approximately 3000 volumes by the engineer. Carlo Natale. In all these years the Library has been the center of Crispiano culture thanks to the organization of hundreds of cultural activities.
Among the many initiatives, the “Le Cento Masserie di Crispiano” project should certainly be highlighted, which after eight years of work and research, gave life to the “Le Cento Masserie” exhibition. From then on, in Crispiano, people started talking about tourism.
The “Angelo Carmelo Bello” Study Center was established on November 14, 2019. Located in Corso Umberto, its main purpose is the promotion of culture, art, science and scientific research, with prevalent attention to local history.
The Cinema Teatro Comunale of Crispiano is a real jewel, a significant historical and cultural structure. Behind the sober facade, the interior is simple and elegant, equipped with a regular booth for cinema projections, 6 stages, 212 seats and dressing rooms.
The yellow red tomato from Crispiano is an authentic culinary gem, recognized as a flagship and a Slow Food presidium. This delicious vegetable is harvested in August and has the extraordinary ability to stay fresh and tasty until the following year. Its versatility in the kitchen is remarkable, but it is a fundamental ingredient in the gastronomic tradition of Puglia.
One of the most iconic and ancient recipes that honors the yellow-red tomato is Water-salt. This dish represents the quintessence of poor cuisine and has deep roots in the culinary history of the region. Acqua-sale is a salad that captures all the aromas and flavors of the Apulian land: the juicy tomato, the aromatic basil, the crunchy celery and the strong-flavoured onion. These ingredients are expertly mixed with high quality extra virgin olive oil, which underlines and amplifies the natural flavors of the ingredients.
The peculiarity of Acqua-salt lies in the stale bread, previously soaked in water. This step gives the dish a unique freshness, as the bread takes on a soft consistency and absorbs the flavors of the seasoning, becoming an essential part of the dish. The result is an explosion of fresh and genuine flavors that take you back to theroots of Apulian cuisine, a cuisine that celebrates the simplicity of high quality ingredients and the mastery of their preparation.
