Santa Maria di Cerrate Abbey

The location

After two year of restoration work, the Abbey of Santa Maria from Cerrate finally opens his doors to visitors.
The building is located on the provincial road that connects Squinzano to Casalabate, a stone’s throw from our vacation center, and is one of the most representative examples of the Apulian Romanesque style. Thanks to FAI’s masterpiece restoration, which also unearthed Byzantine frescoes dating back to the 12th century, the church was thus brought back to its original splendor and function with the solemn rededication ceremony officiated by Monsignor Michele Seccia, Bishop of Lecce.

In the day of its re-opening, the Abbey has welcomed the the tradional expo Lu panieri, where more than 50 artisans and farmers exhibited handmade jewellery, toys, crockery, and a wide range of gastronomical typical products.
The FAI celebrates the reopening of this piece of Apulian history and art this way in its statement: “Once the fulcrum of a Byzantine monastery, then a typical masseria, the Abbey returns to tell the story of the richness and charm of Salento’s historical and artistic, cultural and landscape identity.”