Cartapesta Riso

Lecce is famous for its papier-mâché figures, known as cartapesta. It's hard to believe these detailed artworks are made of paper: once the straw skeleton is overlaid with paper, shaped, coloured and burnt with special tools, they look for all the world like carved wood. Claudio is a master: buy handcrafted figurines (perhaps Pope John Paul II?) in his workshop.