In the Aeneid, Virgil describes how Aeneas, having escaped from Troy, landed here on the Salento coast – at Porto Badisco to be precise, a natural inlet near Otranto. There, the Grotta dei Cervi (Cave of the Deers), an underground cave complex renowned worldwide due to its archaeological interest, contains precious traces of the earliest inhabitants of this area. Other archaeological discoveries have been made in the bay of Torre Uluzzo, and in other caves around Nardò, including the Grotta del Cavallo (Cave of the Horse).
The coast is dotted with countless watchtowers that were built by Charles V to ward off the Saracen invasions; just like the local towns, this coastline echoes with stories and legends from an ancient land, at a time when the sea was considered both a resource and a threat. But it was also a sacred element, to be celebrated through the cult of water in numerous Neolithic temples. The sea takes on a myriad of hues, and lofty cliffs are interspersed with outstanding beauty spots, such as the natural park of Porto Selvaggio, enveloped in the scent of Aleppo pines.
Here, the landscape ranges from steep, jagged rocks plunging into deep cobalt waters, to sandy beaches with turquoise waters reminiscent of some tropical island. The place names are intriguing – such as “Montagna Spaccata” (Split Mountain), which is on the road to Santa Maria Al Bagno, or “La Reggia” (The Palace), where one sweep of the gaze takes in views of Gallipoli with its lighthouse, Santa Caterina with Torre dall’Alto, and Santa Maria al Bagno with its picturesque Torre del Fiume di Galatena, also known as the tower of the four pillars.
Other sixteenth-century towers shape the landscape and give their names to equally renowned beach spots: Sant’Isidoro and Torre Lapillo, hamlet of Porto Cesareo, which boast powdery sand and crystal waters and are set, jewel-like, into the unspoilt, primitive natural landscape. The ideal base for excursions around the Salento coastline is Gallipoli, with its marinas. Of these, Bleu Salento is particularly renowned for the equipment and services it offers its international clientele.
