Sternatia

Sternatia is a small town in Puglia of 2,400 inhabitants, just 16km away from the provincial capital of Lecce. It is part of the Greek Salento, where people speak a dialect of Greek origin, known as griko. The local economy is mainly agricultural, with the production of olive oil and the farming of livestock. A wine-growing region, the area is also home to numerous quarries.

In line with the rest of Puglia, Sternatia has benefited from the development of tourism in recent years. The Lecce region as a whole attracted some 4 million visitors in 2011.

Along with its proximity to Lecce and the beaches of the Puglia coastline, Sternatia is an attractive town in its own right with a number of 18th century churches and fine buildings. By contrast, there is little advanced manufacturing, high-tech industry or knowledge-based services in the region. Unemployment rates are relatively high, with youth unemployment (18-24) standing at 37% in 2011, and few suitable jobs available for highly qualified graduates. The link with Lecce and its 83,000 inhabitants is an important one both economically and culturally. The nearby city’s amenities include theatres, museums and art galleries, along with numerous exhibitions and concerts.

Among the issues facing the town is the absorption of migrants and refugees, notably from North Africa, who regularly arrive in the town due to its southern location. The town is served by a railway station located on the Lecce-Otranto line, while the nearest civil airports are in Brindisi and Taranto-Grottaglie.