Giurdignano

Giurdignano
Comune
Comune di Giurdignano
San Paolo standing stone San Paolo standing stone
Coat of arms
Giurdignano Location of Giurdignano in Italy
Coordinates:
Country	Italy
Region	Apulia
Province / Metropolitan city	Lecce (LE)
Government
• Mayor	Donato Fanciullo
Area
• Total	13 km2 (5 sq mi)
Elevation	78 m (256 ft)
Population (September 2010)
• Total	1,911
• Density	150/km2 (380/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Giurdignanesi
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	73020
Dialing code	0836
Patron saint	St. Roch
Saint day	August 17
Website	Official website

Giurdignano is a town and comune in the province of Lecce in the Apulia region of south-east Italy.

History

The human presence in the area of Giurdignano dates to as early as the Bronze Age, as testified by the presence of numerous menhirs and dolmens. Later it was conquered by the Romans (archaeological findings include a 2nd-3rd century AD necropolis).

Later it was part of the Byzantine Empire until the Normans conquered it in the 11th century.

Main sights

The territory of Giurdignano is characterized by the greatest presence of menhir and dolmen in Italy, the total exceeding 25.

Other sights include the 18th century Mothern Church, the crypt of San Salvatore (8th-10th centuries, an example of Byzantine rock-carved chapel), the remains of the Abbey of Centoporte, and the 16th century Baronal Palace.