Martano

Martano (Griko: Μαρτάνα, translit. Martána; Salentino: Martanu) is a town and comune of 9,573 inhabitants in the province of Lecce in Apulia, Italy, 20 km from Lecce and 18 km from Otranto. It is the biggest town of Grecìa Salentina, an area where some inhabitants, in addition to Italian and Salentino can also speak a greek dialect called Griko.

Sights
The main attraction is the medieval castle in the old town centre, largely rebuilt in the 15th century retaining some features of the previous century, while the biggest churches are those devoted to the Mother of the Assumption and to Madonna del Rosario. The town also owns the highest menhir in Apulia, Santu Totaru menhir, at 4.80 m, and an ancient Cistercians monastery devoted to the Mother of the Consolation.

Notable people

 * Giuseppe Grassi, who signed the Constitution of Italy in 1948
 * Salvatore Trinchese, marine biologist of the 19th century