The village was built on a low rise to keep away from malaria, and it was called Monte Formicoso; then Montesano, and only from 29 January 1864 Montesano Salentino. Of the marsh that lay around, the Padula Mancina remains, a pond of two and a half hectares that fills up when it rains.
At the chapel of San Donato, on the saint's feast day, people with epilepsy came until a few decades ago to ask to be healed: hereabouts epilepsy is called the illness of San Donato. Outside the village are the palmenti: eight vats where the grapes were trodden, with cisterns below to collect the must. The comune bought them in 2005 and put them back in order. From 1928 to 1947 Montesano did not exist: it was inside Miggiano.
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📅 Every year, on 6 and 7 August
Montesano Salentino celebrates Saint Donatus, bishop and martyr, on 6 and 7 August: his eighteenth-century statue is carried in procession.
Straight-line distances from the town centre. Tap a point to open its page.
The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
Outside Montesano Salentino, but an easy day trip away.
