San Marzano di San Giuseppe: Italy's largest Arbëreshë community, in the province of Taranto, among the Albanian language, traditions, the rock Sanctuary and the Borsci Elixir.
History
San Marzano di San Giuseppe — Shën Marcani in the Arbëreshë tongue — is a case unique in Puglia: Italy's largest Albanian community by number of speakers, where the language and traditions brought by the exiles in the fifteenth century are still alive.
When between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries the Ottoman Turks invaded the Balkans, groups of Albanian refugees — many in the following of the national hero George Castriota Scanderbeg — found refuge in this corner of Puglia, repopulating abandoned hamlets. Thus was born the so-called "Tarantine Albania".
What to see
A living language. In San Marzano Arbëresh is still spoken, an ancient pre-Ottoman Albanian dialect handed down orally for centuries and today protected by the law on historic linguistic minorities. The town has established a Language Desk and organises courses in Albanian language and culture; folk groups keep the traditional music and dances alive.
In the town centre stands the bust of Scanderbeg, symbol of the Arbëreshë identity.
The rock Sanctuary. Just outside the town, on the edge of a karst lama, lies the evocative Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie, carved into the rock: one of the territory's most fascinating places.
The Elixir. San Marzano is the home of the celebrated Elisir San Marzano Borsci, a liqueur created in 1840 by Giuseppe Borsci following an ancient family recipe — himself a descendant of those Albanian migrations.
Did you know…
- It is Italy's largest Arbëreshë community: the ancient Albanian is still spoken here.
- In the centre stands the bust of Scanderbeg, Albania's national hero.
- The Elisir San Marzano Borsci was born here in 1840.
- The Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie is carved into the rock.
Practical information
| Hours | The village can be visited at any time; the sanctuary keeps its own hours. |
|---|---|
| Ticket | Free to visit. |
| Accessibility | The centre is easy; the rock sanctuary requires a little care. |
| Getting there | From Taranto about 20 km towards the south-east. A car is needed. |
Tips for your visit
- Visit the rock Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie, just outside the town.
- If you come during the traditional festivals, you'll hear Arbëreshë music and songs.
- Taste the Borsci Elixir, the town's historic liqueur.