Hotels Arnesano, Guesthouses Arnesano and Residences Arnesano

Arnesano, a small municipality of the province of Lecce, is situated just in the heart of Valle della Cupa, one of the most beautiful and fascinating karstic depressions of the Messapic Plain. Located just in the heart of northern Salento, it is situated 7 kilometres far from the regional capital, and also includes the small centre of Riesci.

Those interested in visiting the wonderful Baroque buildings of Lecce's city centre and the compelling beaches of both the Ionian and the Adriatic Sea will have the opportunity to stay at Arnesano's comfortable and welcoming hotels. The local guest houses gather elegant bedrooms which are furnished with style and provided with modern services and facilities. Arnesano's bed and breakfasts, which are idyllically set just in the heart of the glorious surrounding countryside, are able to combine the fascination of ancient farm houses with the excellent services and facilities offered by the best hotels.
 
The Church of Maria SS. Assunta still retains precious examples of the traditional Baroque art from Lecce. The building, which dates back to 1581, boasts a XVIII-century bell tower and several wonderful altars which were largely built of local stone from Lecce in the first half of the eighteenth century. Three kilometres far from Arnesano is the Church of St. Maria di Montevergine, which was erected in 1635. Its sober Marian chapel is the major gathering place for local inhabitants, who flock here every year on Easter Monday to honour the Virgin Mary and make the so-called "lu riu" picnic.
The remains of an ancient fortress which rises a short distance from Porta Rande, which is one of the main entrance gates to the old town, boasts breathtaking views over the impressive Palazzo Marchesale, which was commissioned by the members of Marescallo Family in the XVII century. The palace, which was enlarged in 1684, boasts a sober facade and an elegant portal which is surmounted by the coat of arms of the Prato Family, whose members turned the castle into a sumptuous manor house.
Arnesano's most important archaeological find is the tomb cherishing the late neolithic idol dating back to 2400 B.C. This small stone statue was discovered in 1969 in the small hamlet of Riesci, and depicts a human being with a little owl-shaped head.