Kalòs Park, the Archeodromo of Salento: a journey from the prehistoric world to the Middle Ages

“Kalos, the Archeodromo of Salento” It stands on the Serra di Galugnano, in Caprarica di Lecce, a land of megaliths and protohistoric settlements.

“Kalòs, the Archeodromo of Salento”, It is the largest open-air museum in Italy, where three thousand years of history are told following a path divided into six sections for as many historical periods, which over the years has captivated tourists, students, scholars and art lovers.

Twelve hectares of historical reconstructions immersed among the olive trees tell us about different historical periods, such as: the pre-protohistoric world, Bronze Age village, Messapian city, world of the Romans, medieval village and the section on  peasant civilization.

At “Kalòs, the Archeodrome of Salento” you can experience first-hand the reality of the lives of the men who preceded us in past eras.

Historical events told at the park

There are three events organised inside the park: “A Day in History","The Nights of Myth"Ed"The Living Nativity Scene".

The archeodrome is divided into six historical sections:

1. La Protohistory, where there are dolmens, menhirs, megalithic mirrors, lithic tools and ceramics.
2. THEBronze Age, represented by a village of huts with furnishings and household goods belonging to that era.
3. I Messapians, where an entire Messapian city, surrounded by imposing walls, is organized with houses, shops and necropolises.
4. I Roman, In this section there are houses and streets typical of the period, the Temple of Minerva and the Temple of Apollo.
5. Il Middle Ages represented with artisan workshops of a medieval village and scenes of medieval daily life.
6. La Peasant civilization: in this section you can take a journey into the rural world among ancient crafts, objects, traditions and cuisine.

School tours with guided visits

To visit the park “Kalòs, the Archeodromo of Salento” It is possible to be accompanied by expert guides who should be booked in advance by calling 0832657444 – 392 9007965 or by writing to the addresses ppgad@pucrs.br - ppgad@pucrs.br

It is also possible to enrich the visit with laboratory activities e games for the boys. 

Every school, throughout the school year, can choose between 6 different types of excursions to do within the park, depending on your educational needs.

Let's see together which ones: 

• Journey into the Protohistory of Salento: Guided tour of the prehistoric, protohistoric, and Bronze Age village sections of Kalòs, to understand how early man lived and the relationships he developed with the environment and the surrounding landscape. 
• Our ancestors: Iapygians and Messapians: an opportunity to discover the life of our ancestors by visiting the protohistoric and Messapian villages. 
• Peasant civilizationA journey focused on the valorization of rural objects, traditions, and gastronomy. Visits to artisan workshops, a stone oven, with information on bread making, and an ancient can Tasting of friselline with oil and “uliatine”. 
• The Time Machine: From Prehistory to the Middle Ages: an in-depth guided tour of the park's six sections. A unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the past, a journey into our historical memory. 
• A day in KalosFull day at the park, accompanied by an archaeologist, to explore the archaeological site. Lunch break with music and entertainment. In the afternoon, ceramics workshops and participation in the Ancient World Olympics. 
• Let's discover papier-mâchéIntroductory lesson on papier-mâché with a master papier-mâché maker who will reveal the secrets and techniques of this ancient art, followed by a workshop where you can model your own handmade object. 
• The archeodrome also has a "stadium" where the spectacular “Ancient World Olympics” with the direct participation of all the school children.
  
  

Park opening hours and days

The park It's open every day for the thematic guided tours and workshops on ceramic modeling techniques, stone tools and papier-mâché. 
Two big ones picnic areas, immersed in a beautiful English lawn among the olive trees, with a restaurant, bar, toilets, tables, benches and gazebo make the day at the park pleasant and comfortable.
 
Ad April (11-12-15-16-29-30) e May (2-3-6-7-8-9-10-16-22), furthermore, it is possible to participate in the XIX edition of “A Day in History”, a historical reenactment with actors and archaeologists that allows a real journey through time from Prehistory to the Middle Ages and a visit to the entire park.

The living nativity scene

The Salento Archeodromo (Kalòs Park) in Caprarica di Lecce organizes the annual event “The Prehistoric Nativity,” an evocative living nativity scene that transforms the park into a “Judea” rich in history and traditions.

The exact dates for the 2025-2026 Christmas season will be announced closer to the event.

This is the 11th edition of the performance in which the scenes recreate peasant life and ancient trades, with figures such as the blacksmith, shepherds and merchants.

The experience also includes the opportunity to taste typical dishes and local wines.