The historical centre of San Donato of Lecce is famous for its typical case a corte and its noble palaces as the imposing Baronial Palace, that was built in the XVIII century on a pre-existing fortress. It was first  used as a system of defence, but later it became a real well decorate palace.  The other most interesting palaces are Conte Palace  and Costantini Palace, both dating back to the XIX century. The Mother Church is dedicated to St. Donato, and it was built in the XVIII century, on a pre-existing  religious monument. There are a beautiful richly decorated front door and two niches, containing the statues of the Madonna  and of the Saint. In the upper part you can see a big window and other decorations. Inside you can admire some elegant altars and  paintings representing  holy images. Since 1991, the organization called "Amici del Presepe" have been preparing a  very  suggestive living manger at Christmas. The patron of this small town  is St. Donato, that is celebrated solemnly on 14th and  28th August.

The nickname of the inhabitants of St. Donato di Lecce is "cucummeri" that  literally means cucumbers. This nickname is used to mean naïve and foolish people and it is closely connected to a popular anecdote according to which, once, during the feast of the patron  the population were waiting for the arrival of important ecclesiastical authorities.  Unfortunately something  happened: the clapper of the bell broke down. Some men  began to beat against the bell with some cucumbers trying to reproduce the same sound of the original one but without any success.