Population: 10696 inhabitants
In total area: 24 kmXNUMX
Density: 445 inhabitants/kmXNUMX
Accessibility: The urban center of Racale It is approximately 50 km from Lecce, the capital of Salento and can be reached from the SS. 101 Salentina in the direction Gallipoli.
address of the municipality of Racale, Lecce: Via Fiumi Marina
Tel .: 0833 - 551151
Racale is a citizen of the Ionian Salento around casarano and Municipality of Ugento.
According to some, its origins seem to be Roman, in fact from some documents it can be deduced that the founder of this small village was Heraclius, freedman of Caesar Augustus, who founded the town giving it the name and coat of arms, almost identical to that of Rome.
According to others, however, the name of Racale It can be attributed to the Greek-Salento tradition, according to which the town arose in the place that was once dedicated to the cult in honour of Hercules, a hero of Greek mythology (Heracles).
After various invasions, sieges and robberies, the town of Racale began to flourish under the rule of the Normans and a small town with a quadrangular plan, closed by two arched doors, began to take shape.
Over the centuries Racale also suffered the violence of nature; a terrible earthquake in fact destroyed the parish church which was then rebuilt in 1756.
In 1761 the town of Racale restored the ancient tower built in 1128, the public clock was reinstated and the bell cast in 1085 by the master Francesco Roseto of Gallipoli was consecrated.
The territory of Racale, inhabited since the most ancient times of history, still preserves monuments that date back to the Messapian civilization, which flourished well before the arrival of the Greeks and Romans.
This is a “Specchia” located on a higher point of the Hill of “Mirrors” It consists of a huge semi-conical structure of shapeless stones and a "Dolmen" known by the name of “Ospina” from the place where a 16th century fortified tower stands.
from 03/04 to 30/09/26
76 reviews
There are some faithful testimonies of the city's history in the numerous churches:
la Mother Church dedicated to San Giorgio (formerly SM del Paradiso) is the most important monument in Racale, together with the adjacent 16th century bell tower.
Other Churches of historical importance and monuments to visit in Racale are:
Among the monuments that adorn the city of Racale in Salento, in addition to the churches, there is the Ducal Palace of the Basurtos with two 16th century towers, symbol of the feudal dominion exercised for many centuries by the lords who took turns at the helm of the city.
A few km away from Racale is located Suda Tower a pretty town, a destination for numerous tourists during the summer, together with the nearby Missing from here, which is the navy of Taviano.
While for dinner you can savour the delicacies of the L'acchiatura restaurant, a romantic and ideal place to spend a pleasant evening enjoying the typical Salento dishes, in the historic center of this town in the hinterland of Gallipoli.
Source: www.comune.racale.le.it