Among the many things that make Salento well known, there are the skill and craftsmanship of Salento artisans.

A centuries-old tradition that leads to the creation of objects and decorations become famous all over the world. Just think of the traditional terracotta dishes, the processing of papier-mâché, the creation of objects in Lecce stone, ...

La “Cartapesta”, the art of papier-mâché is a poor craft that uses waste paper, straw, iron wire and terracotta. The oldest traces of the use of papier-mâché date back to the 17th century, but the technique has remained unchanged until now.

Lecce is the place in Salento with the highest percentage of papier-mâché masters.

Francesca Carallo – Lecce – Vico dei Pensini, 1 – Mobile +39 328.9482.158 www.francescacarallo.it

Its color is warm and delicate, while its interior is solid and extremely hard. Lecce stone is a soft material, very suitable for processing, especially to create fine decorations,  as evident in the architecture of Salento.

With this material the artisans made countless objects such as frames, ornaments, vases, watches, lamps...

Creazioni Serra - Cutrofiano - Via Capo 71 – Ph. +39 3472875256 https://www.creazioniserra.com/

Anvils, hammers and forges are still today used in Salento handicraft to work iron. It’s an ancient tradition, well evident in the architecture of this area, as in the gates, railings and balustrades that enrich the buildings of Salento.

Many handicrafts are made with wrought iron, as lamps, coat hangers, irons for fireplace, bed heads, candlesticks and various decorative objects.

The ceramics, produced in particular in Cutrofiano, Ruffano and Lucugnano, originates from an ancient working of the clay that, depending on the dough and the degree of cooking, acquires different denominations: porcelain, stoneware, terracotta, majolica.

The working of terracotta has ancient origins in Salento, thanks to the great availability of clay and to the influence of Magna Grecia art. There are still many artisans that produce terracotta with traditional systems, as well as traditional are the decorative motifs that embellish the artifacts.

Laboratorio-bottega dei F.lli Colì – Cutrofiano - Viale Della Ceramica, 2  - ph. +39 0836 544383 https://www.coliweb.com/ 

Another great pride of Salento crafts consists in embroidery and in the many products born from the creation of local embroiderers who, using knitting needles, crochet hooks and bobbin, produce finely worked crafts. Some still retain the traditional Salento pedal frame, handing down this ancient knowledge from mother to daughter. 

Sfizi, ricami e merletti - Via Firenze, 30 - Ruffano

Tessitura Calabrese – Tiggiano - Via Provinciale per Alessano, 42 – Ph. 0833/531132 https://www.tessituracalabrese.it/

Copper was once used in Salento to produce braziers and bed warmers, but also pots, pans and other cookware. 

An ancient tradition, handed down from father to son, which survives thanks to the dedication and creativity of the artisan workshops.

Rame Rossa Pappadà – Ruffano - Via Santa Maria di Leuca, 259 – Ph. +39 0833 691 250  http://ramerossapappada.com/index.html 

The area of Acquarica and Bagnolo was once abundantly marshy, an ideal place for the growth of rush plants. Using reeds and rushes of olive tree, craftsmen created baskets and other items needed for the work in the countryside and the daily life in the farm.

Even today, skillful hands produce resistant weaves, after having softened the vegetable fibers with a complex treatment.

The processing of olive wood is also widespread, for the production of trays, bowls and kitchen utensils, as well as furnishing accessories and decorative objects.

Anna Siciliano – Acquarica del Capo – Via L. da Vinci, 55 – Ph. +39 0833.7217.92 www.annasiciliano.com