“SALENTO, 5 SENSES TO TELL CHRISTMAS: a Sensory Journey into the Heart of Christmas”

Imagine a place where Christmas is not merely experienced, but truly felt through all the senses: the timeless melodies filling Salento’s churches, the warmth of hands shaping terracotta, the dazzling sight of luminarie transforming historic villages into fairytale settings, the authentic flavors of traditional sweets, and the aromas of Salento’s herbs evoking memories and dreams. This is the beating heart of “Salento, 5 Senses to Tell Christmas,” a unique and captivating itinerary celebrating Christmas through art, culture, and tradition. During the festive season, Salento becomes an open-air theater, ready to tell the story of Christmas like you’ve never seen it before.

A Christmas for Everyone: “Salento, 5 Senses to Tell Christmas” is designed to welcome all visitors, overcoming every form of diversity, disability, and impairment—thanks in part to the collaboration of the Unione Italiana Ciechi and the Filippo Smaldone Institutes. The program offers accessible experiences that engage every attendee, turning Christmas in Salento into a moment of shared celebration and inclusivity.

Book Your Magical Journey and join us on this extraordinary Christmas adventure. Let your senses guide you in discovering a Salento that shines, sings, creates, nourishes, and enchants. “Salento, 5 Senses to Tell Christmas” is not just an event: it’s an experience you’ll carry in your heart.

Five senses, five experiences, infinite emotions:

WATCH Experience “LIGHT OF THE SENSES” in the historic and enchanting village of Scorrano, known as “The City of Luminarie.” Enjoy the extraordinary illuminations at the Puglia Luminarie Museum and the evocative Sand Nativity Scene, featuring works by international artists who transform tradition into art.

TASTE Explore the secrets of Salento’s cuisine with “SWEET SALENTO CHRISTMAS,” a workshop dedicated to preparing traditional sweets like cartellate, purceddhruzzi, marzipan fish, mustazzoli, and more. Get inspired by the Show Cookings in Scorrano and Gallipoli, where local chefs reinterpret the ancient flavors of Christmas.

SMELL Continue your sensory journey with “SALENTO ESSENCES”: sip organic teas and infusions made from Salento herbs, all within a charming historic palazzo in Specchia. Each fragrance tells a story, every sip becomes a memory.

TOUCH Discover the magic of local crafts with “THE OTHER SIDE OF THE NATIVITY,” a unique show celebrating the craftsmanship of ceramist Agostino Branca. Test your skills with “TERRACOTTA, MY LAND” in Tricase to create your own terracotta decorations, or immerse yourself in the Salento imagination by crafting typical characters like “lu Scazzamureddhu” at the “PUPI AND LITTLE SPIRITS OF SALENTO” workshop in Specchia.

LISTEN Let yourself be carried away by the notes of “CHRISTMAS THROUGH TIME,” an exciting concert ranging from Gregorian chant to Pop, performed in the majestic Basilica of Santa Maria di Leuca, enriched by the poignant contribution of the “white hands” choir from the Principe di Piemonte Institute. Continue with “THE CELESTIAL SOUND,” a journey through Salento’s churches to discover ancient organs, where every sound becomes a story.

PROGRAM

SWEET SALENTO CHRISTMAS January 4, 2025 from 6:30 PM – SCORRANO, Palazzo Veris/Municipio Show cooking with tasting by MESSAPIA Hotel & Resort (Chef Mirco A. Vigna) 

LIGHT OF THE SENSES January 6, 2025 from 4:30 PM – SCORRANO Guided tour of the historic center of Scorrano, the Puglia Luminaries Museum, and the Sand Nativity 

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE NATIVITY

January 6, 2025 from 6:30 PM – SCORRANO, Church of the Augustinians Concert performance by Accademia della MINERVA with terracotta puppets (by A. Branca)

SALENTO ESSENCES January 9, 2025 from 6:00 PM – SPECCHIA, Pasticceria Millevoglie Olfactory sensations and guided tasting of organic products from Sandemetrio

TERRACOTTA, MY LAND January 11, 2025 from 10:00 AM – TRICASE, Ceramiche Agostino Branca Terracotta decoration workshop and visit to the artisan workshop

SWEET SALENTO CHRISTMAS January 18, 2025 from 1:30 PM – GALLIPOLI HOTEL CLUB BELLAVISTA Show cooking and culinary workshops by CAROLI HOTELS (Chef Antonio Mangino)

PUPI AND LITTLE SPIRITS OF SALENTO January 22, 2025 from 10:00 AM – SPECCHIA, AUSER Creative artisan workshop for making typical Salento characters

THE CELESTIAL SOUND

January 25, 2025 from 10:00 AM – Churches of SOUTH SALENTO Guided tour to discover the ancient organs in selected churches, led by a cultural expert and an organist

SWEET SALENTO CHRISTMAS January 25, 2025 from 1:30 PM – GALLIPOLI HOTEL CLUB BELLAVISTA Show cooking and culinary workshops by CAROLI HOTELS (Chef Antonio Mangino)

CHRISTMAS THROUGH TIME February 1, 2025 from 6:00 PM – SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA, Basilica of the Sanctuary Concert for voices and period instruments, featuring Christmas pieces ranging from Gregorian to Pop