Bottega d'Arte Cartapesta — Claudio Riso

Lecce has a centuries-old papier-mâché (cartapesta) tradition that almost nobody outside Salento knows about — saints, angels, theatrical figures hand-shaped from paper pulp and painted with detail you have to see to believe. Claudio Riso is one of the city's most respected practicing artisans; his small studio is open to visitors, you watch him work, and you can take home a piece signed and dated like fine art. Small ones start at €50; serious ones go into the low thousands. The most specific souvenir Lecce sells.

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