What to see in Salento
Castles, churches and crypts, museums, beaches and nature: photos, description, how to get there and the events on nearby.
804 places
Churches and cryptsSan Mauro AbbeyThe small church of San Mauro is the precious testament of a basilian
monastery and stands on the highest point of the greenhouse of Sannicola,
overlooking the sea. Sannicola
Churches and cryptsSanta Maria di Cerrate AbbeyThe splendid medieval abbey is the first public good in Puglia protected by
the Funds for Italian Environment. Lecce
Museums and theatresAquario del SalentoA 250-square-meter indoor and 800-square-meter outdoor exhibition space
with 23 seawater tanks all to be discovered. Nardò
Sea and cavesAliminiAlimini beach, in Otranto, with its really fine sand, the dunes, the
shallow water and the transparent sea surrounded by the pine forest, is the
background for children’s games and for surfers’ performances. Otranto
ArchaeologyEgnazia amphitheatreThe amphitheatre, a spectacular historic evidence overlooking the sea, is
in the heart of the archaeological park of Egnazia, among the most
beautiful ones in Puglia. Fasano
ArchaeologyAmphitheatreLocated at the heart of modern Lecce, the Augustan amphitheatre is a window
into the rich past of ancient Lupiae. Lecce
Churches and cryptsAntica Chiesa MadreMassafra's ancient Mother Church stands a few steps from the castle in the
heart of the old town, revealing Baroque altars and a medieval crypt. Massafra
Sea and cavesApprodo di CasalabateThe small harbor of Casalabate, near Lecce, features a small dock with an east-facing entrance. The private slipway is operated by the… Lecce
Sea and cavesApprodo di Torre PaliThe landing stage in Torre Pali features a three-arm flood mooring, a low-water mooring and a beaching ramp. Salve
Sea and cavesThe Landing of Torre VadoOf recent construction, there is not much room for yachts because most of
the space is occupied by local shipping vessels Morciano di Leuca
Museums and theatresState Archives of LecceEstablished in 1812 under the name of Provincial Archive of Terra
d'Otranto, it started operating only after about twenty years Lecce
ArchaeologyArchaeological Site San Pietro degli SchiavoniUnder the new Verdi theatre there is the archaeological site of San Pietro
degli Schiavoni, which represents a real neighbourhood of Brindisi during
Roman period. Brindisi
ArchaeologyArchaeological site of ValesioThe ancient city walls surround the important messapic centre of Valesio,
in Torchiarolo, among the most important ones in the province. Torchiarolo
Sea and cavesProtected Marine Area of Porto CesareoWith its crystalline, turquoise waters stretching from Punta Prosciutto to
Torre Inserraglio, Porto Cesareo boasts Italy's third largest protected
marine area. Porto Cesareo
Sea and cavesTorre Guaceto Protected Marine AreaOverlooked by centuries-old coastal watchtowers, the cliffs and sandy
beaches of the Protected Marine Area of Torre Guaceto extend along the
Adriatic coast from Punta Penna Grossa to the cliffs of Apani. Carovigno
Sea and cavesBaia dei TurchiIn the bay where the Saracens landed in 1480, to conquer Otranto, nowadays
there is white sand, lapped by a dreamy sea and embellished with the
scented pine forest and the Mediterranean scrub. Otranto
Sea and cavesBaia VerdeBaia Verde, not far away from Gallipoli, the “pearl of the Ionian Sea”,
stretches along three kilometres with its white and fine sand, surrounded
by dunes and emerald green sea. Gallipoli
Churches and cryptsBasilica del RosarioThe last church signed by the master stonecutter Giuseppe Zimbalo, the
Basilica of the Rosary is an elegant Baroque building in the heart of
ancient Lecce. Lecce
Churches and cryptsBasilica della Madonna della NeveThe Basilica of Madonna della Neve is the mother church of Copertino; it
was built in 1088 by the Norman count Goffredo di Conversano and was
originally named after the Virgin Assunta. Copertino
Churches and cryptsBasilica di San Domenico SavioBuilt in the early 70’s, the Basilica was largely made of reinforced
concrete facing both outside and inside. Lecce
Churches and cryptsBasilica of San MartinoThe Basilica of San Martino is a magnificent example of Rococo in the town
of Martina Franca, a masterpiece created by Puglia's most distinguished
18th-century artists. Martina Franca
Churches and cryptsBasilica of San PietroA jewel of Byzantine art, the Church of San Pietro is one of the most
important medieval buildings in southern Italy. Otranto
Churches and cryptsBasilica of Santa Caterina d'AlessandriaThe Basilica of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria in Galatina is a striking
jewel of Gothic architecture with valuable frescoes comparable to those of
the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi. Galatina
Churches and cryptsBasilica of Santa CroceThe most prominent example of Lecce's Baroque architecture, the basilica of
Santa Croce is one of the city's most fascinating landmarks Lecce
Places and photos: Regione Puglia · viaggiareinpuglia.it (CC BY 4.0)