top of page

territory

LECCE

YOUR ONLINE GUIDE

DESTINATION SALENTO

FASANO

FASANO

The Fasano Zoosafari is one of the largest safari parks in Europe and the largest in Italy. It is home to over 200 species of animals with over 2000 specimens. Visitors can choose from self-drive safari routes, zoo walks, an ornithological hall, a tropical hall with aquarium and reptile house, and a dolphinarium.
SANTA CESAREA TERME

SANTA CESAREA TERME

Santa Cesarea Terme is located on a rocky spur overlooking the sea and is famous for its thermal springs of sulphurous, saline-bromoiodine waters. The area is also home to stunning caves, including the Romanelli Cave and the Zinzulusa Cave, dating back to the Paleolithic. Santa Cesarea Terme is known for its natural beauty and thermal waters.
GALLIPOLI

GALLIPOLI

Gallipoli is a city located in the Salento region, with ancient roots dating back to the Romans, known for its commercial port along the Appian Way and its strategic importance. It has undergone periods of conquest and domination by various peoples, including the Byzantines, Normans, Angevins, Aragonese, Spanish and Bourbons. Today, Gallipoli is a renowned tourist destination, with places of interest such as the Greco-Roman fountain, the ancient village, the Angevin Castle, the Cathedral of Sant'Agata, churches and historic buildings. The city is also famous for the feast of Santa Cristina.
SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA

SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA

Santa Maria di Leuca is a renowned tourist resort in Salento, with a unique position at the tip of Puglia, where the waters of the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea meet. The caves along the coast are particularly popular for their unique colors and shapes. The city boasts baroque architecture, with the famous Basilica of Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae and the Punta Meliso Lighthouse, built in 1866.
PORTO SELVAGGIO

PORTO SELVAGGIO

The Regional Natural Park of Porto Selvaggio and Palude del Capitano is located in the municipality of Nardò and includes a vast coastal area and a marshy area. The park features a variety of natural habitats and includes archaeological sites, such as coastal towers and prehistoric caves. Porto Selvaggio is known for its natural beauty, with a pine forest, cliffs and beaches. The area is rich in fauna and flora, including some rarities. The sea offers excellent opportunities for divers.
OTRANTO

OTRANTO

Otranto, located near Lecce along the Adriatic coast, has an even older history, with evidence of Neolithic settlements. The city has been influenced by several cultures, including the Romans, Byzantines, Lombards, Normans, Aragonese and Spanish. Otranto is known for the tragic siege of 1480 by the Turks, in which the population suffered a massacre. The city is renowned for the Cathedral with the mosaic of the tree of life, the Byzantine Church of San Pietro, the Castle built by Frederick II of Swabia and other places of artistic and historical interest.
CASTRO

CASTRO

Castro is an ancient fishing and seaside center with probable Greek or Cretan origins. The city has a rich history, deriving from the Roman Castra Minervae, with a medieval period in which it was a bishop's seat. During Norman rule, Castro became a county, and in the sixteenth century it became a fortress. The patron saint of Castro is Maria Santissima Annunziata, celebrated on 23 and 24 April each year.
NARDO'

NARDO'

Nardò is an ancient city located in Salento with seven hamlets, including Santa Maria al Bagno, Santa Caterina, Villaggio Boncore and others. The city has ancient roots, with several theories on its foundation, including the hypothesis of the Coni, a people from Epire. Nardò has become important over the centuries, including the Roman and Norman periods. It saw the dominion of several noble families, including the D'Angiò, the Orsini del Balzo, the Ruffo, the Sanseverino and the Personè. The city is known for its artistic heritage, including impressive Baroque and monuments such as the Cathedral and Castle.
LECCE

LECCE

Lecce is an important provincial capital located in southern Italy. The city has a rich history, having been an ancient Roman municipality called Lupiae. During the Roman period, its importance grew under the rule of Marcus Aurelius. However, it was the scene of conflict during the Gothic War of the 6th century and was conquered and sacked twice by Totila's Goths. Subsequently, Lecce came under Byzantine control and became a religious and cultural center. During Norman rule, it became a county and followed the fate of the kingdom. Over the centuries, the city was ruled by different dynasties, including the Anjou, the Brienne and the Orsini-Del Balzo. In the 15th century, Lecce became an important center for trade in the lower Adriatic and was frequented by Florentine, Venetian and Balkan merchants. The city prospered economically, but was also the object of attention from the Turks, who attempted an attack in 1480 but were repelled by the inhabitants. The Spanish subsequently fortified the city. Throughout history, the people of Lecce rebelled against Spanish control during the Thirty Years' War in 1647 and again in 1848, when the liberals established a provisional government. In 1860, the city was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy after the end of Bourbon rule. Lecce is famous for its historical heritage, which includes Roman finds such as a theater and an amphitheatre, as well as a rich collection of objects exhibited in the Provincial Museum. The city is renowned for its Baroque architecture, characterized by the widespread use of "Pietra Leccese", a local limestone, in the decoration of buildings and churches, which makes it one of a kind.
OSTUNI

OSTUNI

Ostuni is a city located on the top of a hill with a name that could derive from the Greek "Astu-neon", indicating a new city built on the remains of a previous one. This strategic position attracted the attention of the Messapians, and the area has an ancient history dating back to prehistoric times. Remains of Roman and medieval settlements have been discovered in the area. Ostuni is famous for its white architecture, which has earned it the nickname "White City".
ROCA VECCHIA

ROCA VECCHIA

Roca Vecchia is a town located on the Adriatic coast in Salento, in the Italian region of Puglia. It is famous for its fascinating archaeological ruins, including ancient megalithic walls, sea caves and the remains of an ancient Messapian city. This area is also known for its crystal clear waters and beautiful beaches, making it a popular destination for tourists seeking history and natural beauty.

SALENTO

CLICK ON THE MAP TO VIEW THE LEGEND

chris-galbraith-7XAM0J3dNQM-unsplash.jpg

Connections

SALENTO IN BUS

Click here to see the itineraries

bottom of page