Past_________

1. SALENTO a timeless land Italy Past_________ Present_____ Future_______ Apulia Salento

2. Messapi SALENTO Past Manduria:Megalithic Walls Greek-Romans Byzantines Spaniards Swabians Lecce:Amphiteatre Otranto: Cathedral- mosaic Lecce:St.Cross Church Oria:Frederick’s Castle

3. Messapi Probably coming from Illyria (Albania, nowadays) these ancient people settled in Apulia in the VIII century, merging with the local population. They founded several towns, among which Rudiae (Cavallino), Ceglie Messapica, Otranto, Brindisi and Manduria, where you can see remains of megalithic walls and a large necropolis with objects testifying important agricultural and crafts activities. Cavallino (LE):Messapic Town remains Manduria:Megalithic Walls and Tombs Despite their frequent relationships with Greeks, Messapi kept precise and particular cultural peculiarities, such as, for instance, their production of a water container called “trozzella”, used in all the Messapian land from the first half of the VI century to the III century B.C. Particularly testified in various women’s tombs, it is marked by original decorated round handles. TarantoMuseum: “Zeus Fulminatore” statue Trozzella: Messapic Vase

4. Greek-Romans In the VIII century B.C. Greeks had already founded towns along the coast, such as Gallipoli, Otranto, Taranto, which became the main centres of “Magna Grecia”, more important than the Greek towns. To testify the Greek presence in Salento nowadays there is a small linguistic and cultural isle where Greek, or “Griko” is still spoken. In this area you can breathe a Greek air, not only in the language, but also in the architecture, music, gastronomy. After Taranto war, Salento became a Roman Province and its strategic position was used to enlarge the urban road network, so that Brindisi resulted the end of line of Appia and Traiana roads. Taranto:Doric Columns Taranto, Archaeological Museum: Greek Crater and Jewels Gallipoli:Greek Fountain After conquering Salento, the Romans came in contact with a living cultural reality, testified by some valuable gold art remains. One of the greatest writers and poets in Rome, Quintus Ennius, was born in Messapic Rudiae, a town very close to Lecce, where archaeological remains are still today. Brindisi:Roman final column-Via Appia

5. Byzantines After the fall of the Roman Empire, Salento was invaded by Goths, Longobards and finally by Byzantines, who ruled for a long time, leaving clear traces in art and religious monuments. Soleto:St. Stephen Church During the Byzantine domination the Church of the East left numerous traces, because of the coming of a lot of persecuted men and the spreading of the Basilian monarchism. Often the population, in fact, attended the religious meeting places. Otranto:Byzantine basilica of St. Peter: flooring mosaic- the Virgin between St.Nicholas and St. Francis from Paola During the Crusades period (XI-XII centuries) Otranto land was crossed by thousands of pilgrims and knights. In our land the presence of monastic orders, running the leavings for the Holy Land, such as Templars, is still alive. St.Mary of the “cerrate” church Brindisi: templars arcades

6. Swabians The castles of Brindisi and Oria , different from those still existing in the north of Apulia, testify the Swabian presence in Salento during the time of Frederick II. Particularly in Oria Frederick’s historical memory is still very strong. Indeed, the Emperor is called “Puer Apuliae” for his special link with our region and with southern Italy in general. Brindisi:Swabian Castle A famous gorgeous historical parade takes place every year. It remembers the marriage between Frederick II and Isabel of Brienne. Middle age and the imperial court come back to life through the work of actors playing the roles of nobles, ladies, knights, minstrels, musician and soldiers, all of them dressed in clothes from the past. Oria:Frederick II’s wedding day parade Oria:Frederick’s Castle

7. Spaniards The Spanish established their rule in Salento, in Apulia and in other Italian regions in 1529. Trying to stop Saracen invasions coming from the sea, the Spaniards built lots of sighting towers along the coasts (called Charles V’s towers), which can be still seen along the 800 km of Salentine coast nowadays, where they look like watchful sentries. Charles V’s defensive system did not consist only of Coast Towers, but also of several fortified farms, often provided with sighting towers, spread all over the hinterland. Together with castles and tower-houses they formed a good defensive network. Lecce: Bear tower Taranto: Colimena Tower In that time Lecce became one of the most beautiful and important towns, enriched with gorgeous Baroque monuments. In Salento Baroque style took on original aspects, thanks to the peculiarities of the soft and ductile Lecce limestone. Baroque decorations can still be admired in every aspect of Salentine art. Lecce: Cathedral Square Lecce: St Cross church

8. SALENTO Present Agriculture Environment and tourism Handicrafts

9. Agriculture Wine With its deep and velvet colour, Salentine wine is the best known and the most appreciated all over the world. Apulia is the Italian region which has the largest wine production and Salento gives its contribution with its many producers. Salento has its own autochthonal vines. “Negro amaro” is the most diffused and one of the oldest ones, used to get spectacular red and rose-coloured wines ; “Primitivo di Manduria d.o.c., which has the most incredible organolectic qualities and can be also tasted as a liqueur-like “meditation wine”; Aleatico, a very sweet and liqueur-like wine. Malvasia Bianca and Malvasia near are also to be remembered.

10. Agriculture Olive oil Olive oil is one of the most important products in the Mediterranean agriculture, for its highly appreciated nutritional values ,its chemical composition, its taste and smelling characteristics. Oil production is one of the oldest activities in Salento and 40% of its territory is cultivated with olive trees. Olive oil produced in Lecce and Basso Salento areas has gained the D.O.P.(Denominazione d’Origine Protetta) label and it is called Olio extravergine di Terra d’Otranto. It is characterized by a green colour or a light green and yellow colour , a medium fluidity , a leaf-like odour and a fruit-like taste.

11. Handicrafts The “papier maché” The production of the papier-maché is a typical Lecce production and its origins date back to centuries ago. It is said that it started in some barber’s back shop or that it was invented by poor people who enjoyed themselves in covering rags and straw with paper and modelling it in statues and sacred subjects, which can still be seen today in so many Salentine churches. Phases of the papier-maché processing Lecce stone Lecce stone is also known as “ the gentle stone” because it is very mouldable and easy to work. It is a calcareous stone which dates back to the Miocene period and it is a typical stone of Salento. It can be found in the ground and there are enormous caves on the whole Salentine territory. It is particularly fit to make architecture decorations and Lecce Baroque could develop thanks to this stone.

12. Handicrafts Grottaglie Ceramics The production of ceramics is very old and largely practiced, thanks to the rich caves of red clay. The town of Grottaglie, in Taranto province, is the most important production centre for ceramics. In the heart of the town, near the Castle, an area full of ceramics laboratories has being developing through the centuries. These laboratories and stoves have been hollowed out in the rocks and today their products are made according to consolidated handicrafts methods. Crockery, small and big jugs for wine, water and food, and the characteristic “apple” which represents a flower bud, are the most produced objects . Developing red clay Pleached rushes Tipical plate Apple For centuries farmers have been picking up olive tree and cherry wood to make singular objects, for example baskets. This work is based on hands’ strength, in fact hands must stretch and tie the osiers tightly. In old times these baskets were used to store a lot of things, food , for ex. cheese, or even house linen; today they are still fascinating and highly appreciated both for their resistance and beauty. Developing Pleached rushes Baskets

13. Environment and Tourism Salento is in the southern-east part of Italy : it is best known as “the heel of the boot” and comprehends Lecce province and part of Brindisi and Taranto provinces. Its coasts are characterized by sand, rocks and a very clear sea. In the Salentine hinterland there are a lot of “masserie”(farms), today used as “agriturismo”(country hotels and b&bs). Marina di Lizzano(TA): beach Masseria: country b&b The Salentine territory is full of both prehistoric remains, which testify Greek and Roman culture, and beautiful examples of Baroque, such as cathedrals and stately homes , castles and museums. Thanks to the characteristics of its history, territory and climate, Salento has a relevant touristic appeal, also for some natural places such as Alimini Lakes , Cesine Park ,La Vela Marsh, Otranto Coast Park, all of them protected areas, and numerous Karst caves ,i.e. Zinzulusa Cave. Lecce: Zinzulusa cave Lecce: anphiteatre

14. SALENTO Salento University Future Research and top-quality centres Citadel of Research Mediterranean Agronomic Institute Aerospace Planning and Research

15. Salento University Research Centre for Nanotechnologies National nanotechnology laboratory LECCE The laboratory was established by the National Institute of Particle Phisics and studies Nanotechnology concerning methods and techniques for Particle manipulation on atomic and molecular scale. In the research centre there are more than 150 experts coming from all over the world( Usa, Great Britain, France, Germany, China) and there are several international collaborations, such as for example with Boston, Harvard and Tokio Universities. They study miniaturized lasers, molecular-based electronic appliances, software, medical diagnostics, molecular-based lighting techniques and appliances for electronics and photonics. All these laboratory activities have nanoscale technology in common. nano-robot

16. Citadel of Research Euro Biomedical Scientific Mediterranean Institute - BRINDISI I.S.B.E.M. is a cultural pole of excellence and reference in the biomedical and sanitary sector, through the integrated collaboration of the Health System with the Research System, with the Enterprises World, with the Banking Foundations and with the local Communities. ISBEM proposes itself as the catalyst element for those interested in promoting and performing sanitary and biomedical research in the Mediterranean Area. The primary activity results to be the Planning and the Implementation of advanced Research Programs and their development in decentralized centers, encouraging the transfer and the popularization of new scientific methodologies and facilitating the introduction of new technologies providing technical-scientific support to the local sanitary administrations.

17. Citadel of Research Applied Research and Advanced Industrial Engineering Centre - BRINDISI Its specific competence relates to widespread technologies, such as materials engineering, computer engineering and industrial design. Using an integrated form of its competence it develops innovative solutions concerning materials, processes and systems applied to industry and services. Graphic planning of an industrial machine At CETMA they have realized one of the most important Virtual Reality Centers in Europe. Virtual reconstruction of Queen Nefertiti’s tomb

18. Aerospace Planning and Research ALENIA AERONAUTICS Grottaglie (TA) In the factory the automatized production takes place for the manufacturing and the assembly of the two sections of Boeing 787 fuselage, which are after assembled in Charleston( USA). Boeig 787 AVIO Spa - Brindisi It is an excellence centre for military engineering, where the assembly and testing of module engines and components for aeronautic engines and military and business helicopters takes place. Testing engines room

19. Aerospace Planning and Research SPACE SOFTWARE ITALIA TARANTO This centre is in the van for the planning, development and selling of advanced software systems intended for space, civil and military “real time” applications. The technologies and systems which I.S.S. ha developed can be used in different fields, such as space, naval and aeronautic systems and control and communication in the civil and military fields. The centre produces also software systems for NASA to be installed on Shuttles for scientific and military missions.

20. Mediterranean Agronomic Institute Bari • It is a postgraduate centre for applied scientific research and planning of partnership interventions on the territory for programs of international cooperation. • It operates on four thematic areas: • Management of soil and water supply • Mediterranean Biological Agriculture • Sustainable agriculture and rural development • Integrated protection of Mediterranean fruit farming The work of the Centre ha allowed the creation of the Germoplasm Bank where the Mediterranean “primary sources” of plum tree, apricot tree, peach tree, cherry tree, almond tree, olive tree and citrus fruits are preserved from insects in greenhouses; these plants are selected and cured at MAIB laboratories.

21. This presentation has been prepared by the students of the following classes: 3^ and 4^ A IGEA 3^ and 4^ B IGEA 3^ and 4^A MERCURIO 4^B MERCURIO 4^A CINQUE by the following teachers Maria Josè Calò Mariella D’Adamo Annamaria D’Amicis Patrizia De Monte Gianluca Galante Giuseppina Mele Maria Antonietta Modeo Dolores Pastore Cosima Saracino Lucia Tinelli and by the language lab technician Nicola Mastrovito I.T.C.G. “L. Einaudi” Manduria (Ta) ITALY

22. I.T.C.G. “L. Einaudi” Manduria (Ta) ITALY THE END SALENTO A timeless land Past Present Future