If you are near Alessano, in Salento, an unmissable stop is undoubtedly the Chiesa Madre del SS. Salvatore, an imposing place of worship that dominates the main square of the town.
This church, with its majesty, represents one of the most significant testimonies of Salento spirituality and is an ideal destination for those who want to discover more about the local culture and tradition.
Its strategic position makes the visit an experience not to be missed, both for architecture enthusiasts and for travellers interested in small villages off the beaten track. If you decide to visit it, you will find yourself in front of a heritage that manages to convey a deep sense of spirituality.
History of the Chiesa Madre del SS. Salvatore
The first news about the Mother Church of SS. Salvatore date back to the mid-12th century, when a cathedral in Puglian Romanesque style was built on the same site as the current church, adjacent to the city walls, in its south-eastern limit.
The oldest documentation regarding the cathedral dates back to 1198, when an anonymous bishop from Alessandria mentioned a church that had already been in use for a few decades. The original building had a single nave and six side chapels, each dedicated to a saint, including Saint Leonard, Saint Nicholas of Bari, Saint Martin of Tours, Saint John the Baptist, the Annunciation of Mary and the Archangel Michael. The presbytery was decorated with a wooden choir and the roof was probably made of trusses in the same material. In front of the church there was a city cemetery, later suppressed in the 16th century, while noble families and notables were buried in the basement.
In the 17th century, the cathedral was in urgent need of restoration. Bishop Andrea Tontoli, among his many initiatives, beautified the building with a new pulpit, the high altar and an episcopal courtyard decorated with the Tontoli family coat of arms, depicting Veronica with the Holy Face. During this period, the church also saw the introduction of structural changes and the renewal of some liturgical furnishings.
By the end of the 18th century, the cathedral no longer met the needs of the growing population of Alessano. Bishop Dionisio Latomo Massa began the construction of a new cathedral, commissioning the project to the architect Felice De Palma. Construction work began in 1763 and was completed in 1839, but in the meantime, in 1818, the diocese of Alessano was suppressed and aggregated to that of Ugento, downgrading the church from cathedral to Collegiate Church of SS. Salvatore.
The new cathedral had a neoclassical façade designed by engineer Benedetto Torsello. The imposing and elegant façade is characterized by three entrance portals, of which the central one is surmounted by the coat of arms of the city of Alessano.
Architecture of the Mother Church of SS. Salvatore
The architecture of the Mother Church of San Salvatoreis a fascinating combination of styles that reflect the different periods of construction and renovation. The Latin cross plan is divided into three naves, punctuated by square pillars. The interior is rich in decorations that recall the late Lecce Baroque, with papier-mâché statues of the twelve apostles and the four evangelists made by Placido Buffelli.
The presbytery is separated from the nave by a marble balustrade, which once served as an iconostasis. On the sides of the main altar are the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament and that of the Archangel Raphael, where the remains of Bishop Latomo Massa are kept.
Prices and Hours
The Church Madre del SS. Salvatore is open to the public all year round with free admission. You can visit it from 6:00 to 12:00 and from 15:30 to 20:00. Please note that opening hours may vary during liturgical celebrations or special events, so it is advisable to check for any changes or closures before visiting.
Where it is and how to get there
The Collegiate Church of SS. Salvatore is located in the historic center of Alessano, in Piazza Don Tonino Bello.
You can reach Alessano by car:
-
From Lecce: Take the SS16 towards Maglie, then continue on the SS275 towards Santa Maria di Leuca until Alessano. The journey takes about 50 minutes.
To reach Alessano by train
-
Arriva alla stazione di Lecce con Trenitalia.
-
From there, take a train of Ferrovie del Sud Est to the station of Alessano-Corsano, located on the Maglie-Gagliano del Capo line.
-
The journey from Lecce to Alessano takes approximately 3 hours.
To get to Alessano by bus
-
From Lecce, there are direct buses to Alessano, with a travel time of about an hour.
-
If you are arriving from Salento Airport (Brindisi), you can use the shuttle service SalentoAirbus, which connects the airport directly to Alessano upon reservation. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes.
If you arrive by car, you can park near the Chiesa Madre del SS. Salvatore and continue on foot.
Things to do nearby
In addition to visiting the Chiesa Madre del SS. Salvatore, Alessano offers several attractions that will enrich your experience. A walk in the historic center is an opportunity to admire examples of traditional Salento architecture, such as the richly decorated facades of historic buildings.
A short distance away, you can visit the Church of Sant’Antonio, built between the end of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th century. The building is characterized by a single hall onto which six side chapels open, each with its own altar. Particularly significant are the altars dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua and the Crucifix, emblematic examples of the Baroque with twisted columns and sculpted panels. The church also houses a seventeenth-century canvas depicting the Annunciation.
If you want to enjoy the natural beauty of Salento, the beaches of Torre Vado and Pescoluse, known as the “Maldives of Salento”, are a short drive away. The fine sandy beaches are the perfect place to relax and the turquoise sea is an invitation to long swims.
For history buffs, a visit to the Palazzo Ducale of Alessano presents itself as a starting point to better understand the local history. This fortified building, built at the end of the 15th century, has decorative elements that testify to the noble past of the city.
Visiting the Chiesa Madre del SS. Salvatore in Alessano means treating yourself to a day in a little-known corner of Salento. It is not just a place of worship, but an experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the art, spirituality and culture of Salento.
The imposing architecture, the works of art that decorate the interior and the central location in the heart of Alessano make the Chiesa Madre del SS. Salvatore an unmissable stop for those who want to discover the most authentic Puglia. A visit will offer you an exclusive perspective on the history and beauty of this fascinating region.
