The Peschiera of Federico II dates back to the 13th century and is located in the south-west area of Minervino di Lecce. Unique in its kind in Salento, this archaeological testimony is made up of a complex of tanks carved into the limestone rock, which accompany the visitor on a fascinating journey through history and medieval hydraulic engineering. The work is among the many achievements wanted by Emperor Federico Ruggero di Hohenstaufen, better known as Federico II di Svevia, remembered with the famous epithets of Stupor Mundi ("wonder of the world") and Puer Apuliae ("boy of Apulia"). Access is through a stone portal, surmounted by a crest depicting a lamb with a convex shell. From here, a long canal for collecting water is flanked, leading to the large central tank, similar to a pool. The tanks had multiple functions:
- fish farming
- hemp macerator
- tannery for leather processing
