After two year of restoration work, the Abbey of Santa Maria from Cerrate finally opens his doors to visitors, on the occasion of the festa della Madonna (feast of the Holy Mother), traditionally celebrated here during the week after Easter from the XV century.
The ancient building is located on the county road connecting Squinzano with Casalabate, a few steps away from our Holiday Park; it’s one of the most representative examples of the Apulian Romanic style. Thanks to the outstanding work of the FAI, which restored byzantine frescoes of the XII century, the Abbey has been brought back to his shine with the rededication cerimony ministered 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 gasronomical typical products.
With this statement the FAI celebrates the re-opening of the Abbey: «Once the heart of a byzantine monastery, then a typical masseria, the Abbey is reminiscent of the richness and the charm of the cultural, historical and artistical identity of Salento»
Gallery
* All the rights of the photos are reserved to the Italian Environment Fund
