Martano

Martano
Comune
Comune di Martano

The old city
Martano

Location of Martano in Italy

Coordinates: 40°12′N 18°18′E / 40.200°N 18.300°E / 40.200; 18.300Coordinates: 40°12′N 18°18′E / 40.200°N 18.300°E / 40.200; 18.300
Country Italy
Region  Apulia
Province Lecce (LE)
Frazioni None
Government
  Mayor Fabio Tarantino
Area
  Total 21 km2 (8 sq mi)
Elevation 92 m (302 ft)
Population (December 31, 2004)
  Total 9,573
  Density 460/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Martanesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 73025
Dialing code 0836
Patron saint Saint Dominic and Our Lady of the Assumption
Saint day August 8 and 15
Website Official website

Martano is a town and comune of 9,573 inhabitants in the province of Lecce in Apulia, Italy, 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Lecce and 18 kilometres (11 mi) from Otranto. It is the biggest town of Grecìa Salentina, a Greek-speaking area where the elders can also speak an ancient dialect called Griko.

Sights

The main attraction is the medieval castle in the old town centre, largely rebuilt in the 15th century retaining some features of the previous century, while the biggest churches are those devoted to the Mother of the Assumption and to Madonna del Rosario. The town also owns the highest menhir in Apulia, Santu Totaru menhir, at 4.80 metres (15.7 ft), and an ancient Cistercians monastery devoted to the Mother of the Consolation.

City hall with monument of Salvatore Trinchese 
Cistercians monastery 
Castle tower 

Famous people

The list of famous people whom Martano gave birth includes Giuseppe Grassi, who signed the Constitution of Italy in 1948, Salvatore Trinchese, marine biologist of the 19th century and Cosimo Moschettini, agricultural scientist of the Enlightenment.

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