The sand and cement inlay tiles

In 1985 amid the dust of an ancient palace in Novoli destined for demolition a young architecture student makes a discovery that will change his life. Gianluca Vetrugno encounters the lost beauty of sand‑and‑cement inlaid tiles historical artifacts that tell the story of the elegance and craftsmanship of late‑nineteenth‑century Salento. From that moment reviving this tradition becomes a mission that transcends restoration and turns into a cultural and entrepreneurial adventure. The book leads readers into the heart of a forgotten craft through the stories of the Prinari brothers guardians of secrets passed down for generations. With passionate narration and archival images it reveals the stages of creating cementine and offers a glimpse into industrial and social history - a testament to the rise and decline of a timeless art. For editorial contacts: elcroquis@libero.it