At Soleto they still speak Griko, the language of Greek descent of the Grecìa Salentina. And here, on 21 August 2003, the Belgian archaeologist Thierry van Compernolle found an incised potsherd: it is the Soleto Map, the oldest geographical map of the Western world, and on it are the first three letters of the village's name, in Greek.
The spire was begun in 1397 by Raimondello Orsini del Balzo and finished by his son after 1417: forty-five metres, with griffins, lions and masks on the corners. Legend says it was built in a single night by devils and griffins in the service of the magician Matteo Tafuri, and that four griffins were left turned to stone on the edges. But Tafuri was born in 1492, almost a century later.
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📅 Every year, on 12 and 13 June, with the distribution of the blessed Paneggiricu bread
Soleto celebrates Saint Anthony of Padua on 12 and 13 June, with religious rites and the distribution of the «Paneggiricu», blessed bread in honour of the saint, illuminations and fireworks on both days.
📅 Every year, on 4 August, in the shrine dedicated to her
Soleto celebrates the co-patron Santa Maria delle Grazie on 4 August, in the Shrine of the Madonna delle Grazie di Soleto; the main patron, Saint Anthony of Padua, is celebrated on 12 and 13 June.
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 Soleto, but an easy day trip away.
