{"id":20780,"date":"2024-10-23T20:10:47","date_gmt":"2024-10-23T20:10:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/palazzo-baronale-di-martano\/"},"modified":"2024-10-23T20:10:47","modified_gmt":"2024-10-23T20:10:47","slug":"palazzo-baronale-di-martano","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/palazzo-baronale-di-martano\/","title":{"rendered":"Palazzo Baronale di Martano"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hidden among the streets of the historic centre,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0stands majestically the <\/span><b>Palazzo Baronial di Martano. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are in the heart of Greek-speaking Salento and the building represents one of the most fascinating examples of noble architecture on the <strong>Salento peninsula<\/strong><\/span><b>.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Walking through the streets of the town you find yourself in the presence of a place that seems to resist the passing of the years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also known as the Aragonese Castle, the <\/span><b>Baronial Palace of Martano<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the perfect symbol of a history that is intertwined with the daily life of this town.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dXx08Zl0x5I?si=_HAbWUbXydTbKkxl\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">General information<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The building was born as a military fortress and is considered the symbol of Martano&#8217;s cultural identity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The village is part of <\/span><b>Grec\u00eca Salentina<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and is an area of \u200b\u200bgreat cultural interest due to its particular linguistic tradition: here, in fact, <\/span><b>griko<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is still spoken, an ancient dialect of Greek origin. The palace has absorbed these influences to such an extent that Greek, Roman and Baroque elements blend harmoniously.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Its imposing fa\u00e7ade has kept its typically military severe appearance intact and immediately captures the attention of those walking through the historic centre. Of particular interest are the ornaments on the windows, the sophisticated ashlar work on the entrance portal and the sloped base of the only remaining cylindrical tower.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We recommend visiting it in the morning, when the sunlight gently illuminates the stone, giving it a warm golden hue.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18567\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18567\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18567\" src=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Martano_Castello1.jpg\" alt=\"Baronial Palace of Martano\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Martano_Castello1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Martano_Castello1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Martano_Castello1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18567\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Baronial Palace of Martano &#8211; Photo by Wikipedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">History of the Baronial Palace of Martano<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Baronial Palace of Martano<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> stands in the heart of the historic center and is one of the most representative buildings in the city. Its construction dates back to <\/span><b>1481 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">by the will of Ferdinand and Alfonso of Aragon, immediately after the Aragonese reconquest of Otranto.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the second half of the seventeenth century it was the noble <\/span><b>Trani family<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who made the austere appearance more gentle, transforming it into a palace and entrusting the modernization works to <\/span><b>F<\/b><b>rancesco Manuli of Corigliano d&#8217;Otranto<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, who embellished it with elegant architectural and decorative elements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over the years the palace has been inhabited by several noble families, including the <\/span><b>Gadaleta<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and each has left its own mark on the architecture and decorations of the palace, especially in the 17th and 18th centuries, which have defined its current appearance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The building is located <\/span><b>at the intersection of via Marconi and via Pomerio<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and dominates the scene with its solemn architecture. Its large rooms, decorative frescoes and architectural details reflect the typical style of the baronial era.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Architecture<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The architecture of the <\/span><b>Baronial Palace of Martano<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a perfect example of Salento Baroque <\/span><b>style<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with Renaissance influences that can be observed in some decorative details.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The main facade, made entirely of <\/span><b>Leccese stone<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, presents a monumental entrance portal embellished with inclined ashlars and surmounted by a noble coat of arms. There is no point in hiding the fact that this is precisely one of the elements that most strikes the visitor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The main palace activities took place in the internal courtyard<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and here it is possible to admire the splendid <\/span><b>balustrade of the staircase<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, decorated with motifs of leaves and faces.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inside, the palace features large halls with <\/span><b>star vaults<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>frescoes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that adorn the ceilings and walls, many of which depict mythological and allegorical scenes, typical of the Baroque period. Don&#8217;t miss the decorations near windows and balconies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite some restoration interventions that took place during the 20th century, the building still retains much of its original charm, making it an authentic architectural jewel.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ed_IYtD_mMQ?si=y9rB6y25W6JXOxq-\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Prices and opening hours of the Baronial Palace of Martano<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Entrance to the Baronial Palace of Martano<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> is usually free<\/strong>, but on some special occasions or during temporary exhibitions a small contribution may be required.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Opening hours<\/strong> vary depending on the season, but the palace is generally accessible to the public on weekends and major holidays. To be sure of finding the building open, it is advisable to check the updated opening times at the <strong>Martano tourist office<\/strong> or on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.comune.martano.le.it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">municipal website<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pro-tip: from 8 to 15 August in Martano the festival is celebrated in honor of the two patron saints of the city, <\/span><b>St. Dominic of Guzm\u00e1n and the Madonna of the Assumption<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the baronial palace is home to various events organized for the occasion.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Where it is and how to get there<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>The Baronial Palace of Martano is located in the heart of the city and can be easily reached either on foot if you are already in the city, or by car if you are coming from outside<\/strong>. Martano is well connected to the main cities of Salento, such as Lecce (about 25 km away) and Otranto (about 20 km). If you are traveling by car, you can take the SS16 from Lecce in the direction of Maglie and follow the signs for Martano.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For those who prefer public transport, Martano is served by local buses that connect the city with Lecce and Otranto. Traveling by bus is a good option if you want to enjoy the Salento panorama without having to worry about driving. Once you arrive in the city, you can reach the baronial palace on foot, strolling through the cobbled streets of the historic center.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What to see in Martano<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To make the most of your visit to the <\/span><b>Baronial Palace of Martano<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, also dedicate some time to discovering the historic center of the village.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The city is famous for its artisan shops, where you can buy typical products such as <\/span><b>homemade pasta<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or extra virgin olive oil. And if you want to immerse yourself even more in the local culture, make a stop at the nearby <\/span><b>Monastery of Santa Maria della Consolazione<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, another hidden jewel of the area.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, if you are passionate about history and culture, don&#8217;t miss the opportunity to visit the other villages of <\/span><b>Grec\u00eca Salentina<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, such as <\/span><b>Corigliano d&#8217;Otranto<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Sternatia<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A tip from those who know the area well: after your visit, stop in one of the town&#8217;s bars to try <\/span><b>Leccese coffee with almond milk<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a delicious local specialty that will make you fall in love with Salento even more.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qnExP81r1ts?si=ufVYp4fB0h3_-fSQ\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hidden among the streets of the historic centre,\u00a0stands majestically the Palazzo Baronial di Martano. We are in the heart of Greek-speaking Salento and the building represents one of the most fascinating examples of noble architecture on the Salento peninsula. Walking through the streets of the town you find yourself in the presence of a place [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":18568,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_glsr_average":0,"_glsr_ranking":0,"_glsr_reviews":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20780","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-attractions"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20780","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20780"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20780\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18568"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20780"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20780"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20780"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}