San Pietro a Crepacore

San Pietro a Crepacore is a Romanesque church in Torre Santa Susanna with a square layout and three naves separated by columns supporting low round arches. Two central domes rise above the interior, defining its distinctive architectural character.

The church was built between the 6th and 7th centuries, using stone blocks from a nearby Roman village in its construction. This choice of materials shows how local resources and earlier settlements shaped the building of this early medieval structure.

The interior walls display frescoes that blend Longobard-Beneventan and Byzantine artistic traditions, while Greek inscriptions adorn the apse. This artistic mix reflects the cultural influences that shaped this region over centuries.

The building sits along the ancient Via ad Lippium, an old trade route connecting major cities across the Salento peninsula and easy to access. Its location on this historical passage makes it a natural stopping point for travelers moving through the region.

A 7th-century necropolis surrounds the building, containing archaeological finds that match exactly the period of its construction. These discoveries allow visitors to understand the connection between the church's creation and the people buried there.