Things to do in Marittima Italy – what to see attractions and activities

The Lupo Tower is located about 105 meters above sea level, and was built at the end of the fifteenth century for reasons of defence against the Saracen attacks. The tower has a cylindrical shape, and is 7 meters high. Until 1986 the structure was in total abandonment, later it became private property. However, it is currently in a very bad state of preservation.

The Spinola Castle dates back to the 13th century and over the years it was modified, according to the needs of the period. It is the typical example of military architecture, as it was fortified several times, but inside you can see many Baroque elements of the '700. Today it is owned by the Municipality of Andrano and headquarters of “Costa Otranto”, the Regional Natural Park.

The tower is of sixteenth-century origins and is located near the coastal area. In fact, we are talking only about what has remained from the original construction: a truncated conical structure, which at the time connected the north side with the south side.

The Torre del Sasso, also known as the “Tower of the Myth”, was built in the 16th century. This is a typical example of military architecture, built for defensive reasons. At the time, he had a system of cannons to warn the inhabitants of the surrounding areas in the event of danger. Currently, only the ruins are left, positioned more than 100 m above sea level.

The Costa Otranto - Santa Maria di Leuca and Bosco di Tricase Regional Nature Park was established in 2006. On 29 July 2008, the Consortium for the Management of the Park was established. The park covers the territory of the municipalities of Alessano, Andrano, Castrignano del Capo, Castro, Corsano, Diso, Gagliano del Capo, Ortelle, Otranto, Santa Cesarea Terme, Tiggiano and Tricase. This also includes the area where the lighthouse of Punta Palascìa stands, the easternmost point in Italy.

The Masseria, located between Tricase and Andrano, was established in the plant of the Abbey of Santa Maria del Mito, which dates back to the 8th century. She took this function only in the '600, because of the problems she had, which forced her, later, to be desecrated. The building was badly damaged by the Turks, and as a result, today only the remaining ruins of the original plant can be admired.

The Zinzulusa is a coastal natural cave that is located along the Salento coast between Castro and Santa Cesarea Terme. The waters in front are equipped for bathing, and highly appreciated for their cleanliness and clarity.

The Quercia Vallonea di Tricase is located in the beautiful area of Salento. He is 600 years old and is among the oldest specimens in Europe. Various stories and legends were born around the oak tree. It is one of the places of particular interest for tourists visiting this area.

The Castle of Tutino was built in 1580, by Don Luigi Trane. Originally, the castle had nine towers, of which today only five are left. Currently, the best preserved part is the back, the one facing east. The structure passed into the hands of several owners, the last were the Caputo, who allocated space for tobacco processing until the sixties of the last century.

The Palane Tower, 15 meters high, is part of the system of the watchtowers of the Salento peninsula. The structure was built in the 16th century, and has a plan with a pyramidal trunk, built with sandstone blocks.

The most striking cave of Gargano is definitely the Cave of the Serpent, so named because, immediately after the entry you can see a sort of image that looks like a cobra carved in the onyx wall. It is located in Porto Badisco

The church of Santa Chiara is located in the historic center of Lecce, in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II. Its first foundation, commissioned by Bishop Thomas Ammirato, dates back to 1429; between 1687 and 1691 it was thoroughly restored.

The castle was built between the 15th and 16th century and is located in the oldest part of the country. The building underwent several transformations, it was first purchased by the Romasi barons, then, at a later time by the Vocationist Fathers. It is currently used as a nursing home for the elderly.

Giuliano Castle is a building from the sixteenth century. The latter is a splendid example of a feudal castle of Salento. Even today it maintains some characteristic elements, such as the moat, a masonry bridge and the wall all around. Fortunately, it is still in good condition, damaged only in small parts and is open to the public.

The Chapel of the SS Crucifix was built in 1593 by Don Ferrante Delli Falconi. This is characterized by its sober architectural lines, typical of rural religious buildings. Currently, the chapel is completely bare inside.

Leuca Piccola is a historical monument that belongs to the period between 1685 and 1709. It was used by pilgrims to celebrate the Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Leuca. In 1988 the building was restored by the Municipal Administration whose main purpose was to protect many details such as the frescoes that decorate the entire monument.

The Mother Church of St. Nicholas the Great dates back to the 6th century; restored and expanded for the first time between 1577 and 1593, it assumed its present appearance in 1672. It was most likely built on the ruins of a temple dedicated to the god Janus, the ancient church, dedicated to SS. Salvatore, corresponds to the portion of the span that currently precedes the high altar.

The farm of Fano stands at the top of the eastern side of the Canal, a short distance from the archaeological site of the “Chiusa”. It dominates the entire area and offers panoramic views across the surrounding area.

The Church of Saint Anthony of Padua was built in the second half of the twentieth century, expanding the ancient chapel of Santa Maria. The facade, in Lecce stone, has a round arch entrance surmounted by a central rose window and a large cross. The interior houses two frescoes from the second half of the sixteenth century representing the Annunciation and the Last Judgment.

The ProtoApennine Village of Spigolizzi was created In the 15th century to defend itself against the attacks of the Turks. The Salvesi built a small but well-equipped Fortilizio, thanks to which they valiantly resisted the assaults of the Barbarian privateers.

The chapel of Sant'Anna, built in the late 18th century by the Alemanno family, is located on the road that connects the town to the marina of Pescoluse. It is characterized by the simple architectural lines typical of rural buildings. Inside you can admire an interesting fresco depicting Sant'Anna.

The Church of San Biagio, locally known by the name of Santu Lasi, has a sober facade, with central portal and window, on which the coat of arms of the municipality of Salve is carved. The interior houses a stone statue of San Biagio and frescoes from various eras.

The castle has medieval origins, but the current appearance is the result of a series of restorations carried out over the years. It is a large pentagonal plant with a defensive character. Today, it is in an excellent state of preservation. The majesty of the castle inspired the writer Horace Walpole in the creation of the first Gothic novel in the history of literature.

The Civic Museum of Paleontology is home to outstanding collections of prehistoric. It was founded in 1960 by the Speleological Group Salentino and is entitled to Decio de Laurentiis, who directed him until his death. The exhibition starts with the earliest evidence of life in Salento about Cretaceous era to reach up to the beginning of the Iron Age.

Made in the period of Norman rule, between 1080 and 1088, the Cathedral of the Annunciation with its 54 meters long and 25 meters wide, is the largest church in Puglia. In Romanesque style, the cathedral collects in its structure Norman, Arabic and Greek elements.

Church of Byzantine origin which is located in the historic center of Otranto. It is one of the most representative buildings of the Byzantine mold of the South.

Porta Alfonsina was built during the fifteenth century as part of the city walls. It was commissioned by Alfonso of Aragon, from whom it also took its name. His is a polygonal structure, and it was built to defend the city from possible enemy attacks. Today, the building is in a good state of preservation.

The construction of the castle of Morciano di Leuca was wanted by Gualtieri VI of Brienne. Its realization dates back to the first half of the fourteenth century. It is a sturdy structure, equipped with high walls and four towers arranged at the corners with a quadrangular shape. In the large courtyard, inside the castle, you can glimpse the premises of the various floors.

The Tower of Salignano is located in the municipality of Castrignano del Capo, in Puglia. The building was built in 1550, for reasons of defense against pirate attacks. It has a circular structure, fifteen meters high and twenty meters wide. Recently, it has been refurbished and is used for various cultural activities.

The Porcinara Grotto is a non-natural cave in which a wall structure has been found. It is divided into three large rooms and on the walls there are Greek or Latin epigraphic testimonies that address Jupiter or the goddess of Fortune. The Porcinara cave can be accessed on land through a path or by sea through steps carved in the rock.