Cartapesta Tradition
Cartapesta Tradition is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Lecce audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~30 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type historic
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Lecce Lecce guide
About Cartapesta Tradition
Lecce's ancient tradition of creating religious sculptures from papier-mâché, a craft dating back to the 17th century that transformed how the city expressed its baroque piety.
Cartapesta, papier-mâché sculpture, is one of the most distinctive craft traditions of Lecce and the Salento, and it has a history of over three hundred years. The technique involves building up layers of glue-soaked paper over a framework, which when dry produces a lightweight but strong sculptural form that can be painted and gilded to create the appearance of more expensive materials. In seventeenth-century Lecce, cartapesta became the preferred material for the large-scale religious sculptures used in processions and for the devotional statues placed in the niches of churches, because it was far lighter than stone or wood, and could be produced much more rapidly and cheaply than carved stone. Today the tradition continues in workshops throughout the historic centre, where it is recognised as one of the characteristic traditional crafts of Lecce and the Salento.
Did you know? The largest cartapesta statues used in Lecce's Holy Week processions can weigh as little as 15-20 kilograms despite being life-sized or larger, if made in stone, the same figures would weigh several tonnes and could not be carried in procession.
How long should you spend at Cartapesta Tradition?
Plan about ~30 min at Cartapesta Tradition. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Cartapesta Tradition worth visiting?
Cartapesta Tradition is one of the 20 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Lecce, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Lecce
Hear the story of Cartapesta Tradition
Preview the Lecce tour free in the Gingerguide app.