Population: 7480
In total area: 605 kmXNUMX
Density: 123
Accessibility: The urban centre of Vernole is 14 km from Lecce, the capital of Salento and can be reached from SP Lecce.
Common address of Vernole, Lecce: Vittorio Veneto Square
Tel. 0832 - 899111
Vernole It has several hamlets in its territory:
The first historical news about the fiefdom of Vernole dates back to the 12th century.
In a deed of donation of 1115 compiled by Goffredo, Count of Lecce, in favour of the Lecce Episcopal Mensa, the hamlets of Vèrnole, Pisignano and Strudà are in fact mentioned.
The remaining territory was first part of the County of Lecce (Principality of Taranto) and then was enfeoffed to the Tarantini, Pagani, Salluzzo and Saraceni families.
The territory of Vernole includes about twenty farmhouses:
Characteristic the underground oil mill “Caffa” dating back to 1500,
located in the historic center, under Piazza Vittorio Veneto.
The mill remained in operation until the early 1900s, then it was abandoned and subsequently filled with soil.
Recently recovered by the Municipal Administration and made accessible.
Monuments of Vernole to visit:
The church was built on the site of a previous place of worship.
It was completed in 1730 and consecrated in 1748; the bell tower dates back to 1740.
The perfect harmony of the church and its symmetrical shape were however modified in 1930 with the addition, on the right side, of a modern chapel used as a refuge for the statues of the patron saints.
St. Anne and St. Joachim.
An 18th century palace, it stands elegant and majestic on Piazza V. Veneto.
On the façade, at the bottom, there is a large ashlar portal.
The palace belongs to the Bernardini family.
The architectural and artistic work dates back to the end of the 18th century and is dedicated to St. Anna, Mother of Mary and patron saint of Vernole.
Located in the historic center, in Piazza Vittorio Veneto,
it is a cultural asset of historical and artistic importance of the ancient Terra d'Otranto.
The column is made entirely of Lecce stone and was completed in 1781.
The church was built between 1673 and 1680 with the alms and work of the faithful of Vernole.
It is dedicated to the town's protector, who is celebrated on July 26th every year.
This church is mentioned in a parish archive from 1641.
It originally stood outside the town centre on a higher area, which is why the population also called it Madonna del Monte and it was the first parish church in the town.
The church was built at the end of the 17th century, on the site where a sacred image of the Madonna painted on stone was found. It is located near the municipal cemetery.
Of notable naturalistic importance, WWF Oasis of Cesine, established in 1978 following the declaration of international value of the area and in 1980 recognized as a Natural Reserve of Animal Population.
The Cesine wetland extends for 620 hectares, characterised by the presence of rich and varied vegetation as well as numerous sedentary and migratory fauna.
Currently the Cesine Oasis, which includes 380 of the 620 hectares of the wetland, is managed by the WWF.
For a holiday in this Adriatic area of Salento We recommend:
Conca Marco Farmhouse rooms in the countryside of Vernole and a healthy typical Salento restaurant
and also the prestigious Acaya Golf Hotel excellent for its international-level golf course and its wellness centre.
Source: comune.vernole.le.it (Puglia)