Situated on of the last hillsides of the Murgia Salentina, Matino, takes its name from the words "high ground", and the city was documented for the first time as a settlement in a letter dated 1099.
The most antique monumental trace is evidenced by the Church of '500 entitled to San Giorgio, which was enlarged in '600 on request of Carlo III of Borbone. It is a Latin Cross building with a major nave and eight side altars.
The medieval main city centre, practically intact, features narrow streets, underground passages and houses with a typical courtyard structure.
Not to miss: the Church del Crocifisso ('700), the Church della Madonna del Carmine ('600) that features in its sacristy, a wonderful fresco painted directly on the rock that represents the "Pietà", the Church della Pietà, the Church dell'Addolorata and the Church del Rosario.
Of architectural value is the Palazzo marche sale dei Del Tufo, built in '500, with its roof garden and enchanting frescos and horse named mangers in the stables.
Worth a visit: the Prehistoric traces found in the crypt of Sant'Ermete and the traces left by the Basilian monks in the districts of Sant'Eleuterio and Sant'Anastasia.