Salento craftsmen and women today, are one of the economic and productive strengths of the region, and in truth, there is a very strong tie between this and the tourist industry.The craft worker can be seen as an integral phenomenon and is deep-rooted in Salentine culture. Not forsaking the past, the regions craftsmen and women have integrated the old and the new in a blend of skills spoken and sung about in folk songs and stories still told today. The traditions continue to live here in Salento and reflect the cultural, social and political influences affecting the region through the centuries. The desire to preserve these skills and way of life engendered with them has meant, therefore, that new technological innovations have not really intruded on the classic skills of the past. Today there are many shops and stores, which offer traditional products made in the region. It is still possible to come across many little gems of stores in small towns and villages selling fine examples of papier mache, stone carvings, woodwork and ceramics in the traditional styles of old.
SALENTO TERRACOTTA - This is an ancient tradition, passed down the generations from father to son, full of intricate popular designs and cultural symbols. The method of production has remained unchanged through the ages, the clay is found in great quantities in Salento, and is modelled, fired in a wood kiln and painted with great care and attention to detail by master craftsmen. They produce vases, dishes, whistles, plates and decorated puppets for the nativity, these last being much sought after by tourists and collectors alike. The origins of this skill can be traced back to the Greek civilisation of the region under the Magna Grecia. Important centres in Lecce province to find these works of art are: St peter in Lama, Cutrofiano, Ruffano, Galatina, and Lequile.

PAPIER MACHE IN SALENTO - lLight yet resistant, this is a cheap yet ornate and artistic ornament and method of decoration. Produced in a manner unchanged since the 17th century. Craftsmen use paper strips and work with traditional flour glue, threads of iron, straw and flax to make and shape the inside form and finally the plaster and painting for the finish. After the “focussing” stage the work is finally decorated with bass reliefs and painted. As aforementioned, the skill dates back to around the 17th century when, due to the multiplication of the number of churches throughout the region, it became necessary to find a way of decorating the churches without high over- heads. These used the “povera” materials used throughout the region. There followed an outpouring of expression of sacred work, which followed the triumph of the Catholic Church over the strict Lutheran expression of faith in the Counter-Reformation. Today the production of papier-mache is mainly concentrated around the town of Lecce itself, where it is possible to find little craft shops situated in the many small streets in the town centre.

IRON WORK - Ironwork has been a prominent skill down the centuries, throughout the region. Today craftsmen, beaters, forgers, and suchlike, create works of art such as candelabras, lampshades, balustrades and ornate bedsteads, both simple and ornate, affordable by everyone. Initially, this metal was not used much as it was almost impossible to produce the high enough temperatures in the furnaces required to work the metal. This was compounded by previous generations mistaking iron as a soft metal that was not suitable for arms and furniture. This belief only changed when it was discovered that if it was cooled in water whilst still red-hot, this changed the metal’s consistency and strength to a par with bronze. From this moment on iron began to be worked, in the manner still found today, and for this poor region, was used to inexpensively decorate houses and communities.

LECCESE STONE AND VIVA STONE OF SALENTO - LECCESE STONE The speciality of this stone is that it is a wonderful material for carving. Its very softness lends itself to the adoption and realisation of sophisticated and intricate designs, such as the latticework, much in evidence in the region. Its soft amber colour makes it a wonderfully warm choice for building churches and palaces. Its strength is such that it is able to endure the passages of time and tempering of the weather with ease. Over time, Lecce stone has achieved worldwide renown, and is exported around the world to decorate and adorn palaces and buildings abroad. Technical advances have led to the use of modern machinery being able to mass produce minor pieces of artwork in stone, however, stonemasons are still in demand to work the more intricate designs. VIVA STONE This is completely different to the Leccese stone, and presents itself as a grey and compact rock. It is a hard, homogenous stone and is particularly prevalent around Soleto, often being called ‘Soleto stone’. It is mainly used as a base for pavements and roads and piazzas, and is mostly found in historic centres and on the oldest roads and pavements. It is also used to build the dry-stone walls seen surrounding villas and decorating gardens. Workers, today, continue to use the time-honoured tools such as the “busciarda” (a small hammer) and the “maiocca” (fig wood hammer used for fine work). Much dry stone housing and paving throughout the region lay testimony to this secular tradition and the development of skilled artisans to create these features and who are still in demand today.