- Introducion
- The Sea
- The Adriatic Coast
- The Ionic Coast
- The Grottos
- The Handicrafts
- History
- Farms
- Towers
- Castles

 

INTRODUCTION

Salento is that strip of land that forms the heel of the boot (lo Stivale = Italy). It is located between two wonderful seas: the Ionic (Ovest) and the Adriatic (East). There are more than 250 Km of coast which is at times low and sandy and at times high and indented.

In the oriental part it was a land of conquest with the passing of the Greeks, the Byzantine and the Barberian pirats. The first inhabitants of Salento were the Messaps, famous horse breeders, who arrives from the Illyrian shores.

Salento is a peninsular region belonging to the South-eastern part of Puglia.

Geographically speaking Salento corresponds to the old land of Otranto. It embraces the whole province of Lecce, with 97 villages and 39 small hamlets surrounded by the green of secular olive-yards, tobacco and vineyards. It has white houses, narrow and winding roads where everyone has its own dialect. However in some villages, along the axis linking Ostumi to Taranto, - almost all Brindisi hamlet and Taranto one - Greek is still spoken.

It stretches from the so called "soglia messapica" to the Cape of Santa Maria di Leuca, between the Gulf of Taranto (Ionic) and the Otranto Canal (Adriatic).

Salento is also famous for its nature; there are exactly 1390 different species of flower plants.

Salento is a peace of land full of history and traditions whose strong points are its natural and architectural beauties, its hospitality, its magic atmosphere, its several wonders to discover, its warm sun, its blue sky, its crystal sea and its dreamlike coast.
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THE SEA

Salento, real wonder of the Italian peninsula, is a narrow and long bent between the Adriatic and the Ionio characterised by the coasts that are highly evocative and charming.

They show a variety of situations, so different to be a continuous surprise.

Salento is washed on three sides by the sea: Ionic Sea from Taranto coast line to Leuca, Adriatic Sea from Brindisi coast line to Otranto (Punta Palacia to be precise), beyond this city, towards south, it should be still Ionic Sea but a rather deep rooted habit tends to move the border of Adriatic up to Leuca.

However, this is a wrong habit because, studying nautical maps and international conventions, they indicate the border of Ionic Sea exactly up to Otranto.

To experience Salento it is necessary to go along two itineraries starting from Brindisi coast line: the first along the Adriatic coast, towards Otranto that goes on after the Cape where the Adriatic ends and joins the Ionic up to Leuca; the second along the Ionic coast from Santa Maria di Leuca, towards Gallipoli, Nardo Marine, Porto Selvaggio up to Taranto.
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THE ADRIATIC COAST

From this side of the coast, leaving from Brindisi and continuing to Lecce, the first Marina is Casalabate. It rose few years ago and during the winter it is almost completely uninhabited. Then, through the coast that alternates long sandy shore at intervals with low cliffs one reaches Torre Rinalda, Torre Chianca and Frigole.

Going on through the luxuriant pine forests, one reaches San Cataldo that is traditionally the beach of Lecce inhabitants also because it is only 11 Km far from the city. It has a small touristic harbour, wide and clean beaches. The old harbour, instead, still preserves the old remains of the messapic Lupiae and of the roman harbour of Adriano with its lighthouse. It also guards the few fishermen on the spot.

Going on along the panoramic state road 611 one reaches Vernole and the Cesine Oasis that is protected by a specific International Convention and is called since 1977 "a damp area with an international value". The area is 620 hectares wide and stretches for about 6 Km along the coast line. Once it was full of morasses and bogs and it is now managed by the WWF voluntary assistants under the surveillance of the State Forester Guards. The importance of the Oasis is to offer a chance of admiring real natural habitat, from dunes to saltish pools, from cane-brakes to ilex and pines forests, up to the undergrowth of myrtles, lentisks and brooms that are a shelter for several animal and vegetal species and cross-road for some non permanent birds.

From here one goes on to San Forca that up to forty years ago was a village of few fishermen, whereas today it has become a thickly populated seaside resort with its low shore.

Continuing towards South there is Roca Vecchia with its high and indented shore and its transparent sea. Excavations have brought to light big blocks of stone belonging to the town-walls, a necropolis with several rectangular shaped tombs excavated in the rock and funeral equipment of 1600 BC. Above all there were Apulian vessels with red figures and messapic "trozzelle" (small and bulging amphorae). Roca Nuova has instead its castle on two floors and a small church dedicated to S. Vito. On the promontory and below the column that supports the Virgin Mary statue, there is the Poesia (Poetry) Grotto. It is possible to reach the Grotto from a small stairway, but in the past it could be reached only by the sea. There, to honour the god Thaotor Andirahas (as it was called by the Messaps), entered a lot of sailors who spoke different languages as it is evident by the thousands of votive inscriptions that are on the walls of the Grotto.

Leaving Roca one continues to Torre dell'Orso with its tower sticking out from a spike that embraces the beach. Whereas another spike is a sheer drop from the cliff to the sea. It touches San Cristoforo Grotto that has protohystoric testimony. Further on there are two cliffs called the two sisters that guard the inlet. The last inlet of Medelungo commune is Sant'Andrea that opens between two rocks.

Immediately after there are the lands of Otranto with their high coast, their very evocative small inlets and their sandy shores. Going through a Mediterranean bush and a tick pine-forest one arrives in the area of Alimini Lakes. These are two water mirrors of different origin: Great Alimini that communicates with the sea through a narrow passage closed by a bulkhead, on which the coast road runs; whereas Small Alimini, also called Fontanella, is a deep hollow that originates a spring of fresh water. They run parallel along the coast and are characterised by marshy vegetation and thick cane-brakes that shelter very rare species of vegetables such as carnivorous plants, marshy orchids and heather from Salento. The lakes are an Oasis of faun protection and are the destination of coots and herons.

There are still 10 Km to reach Otranto that was called "the city of martyrs" because of the 800 inhabitants that were beheaded by the Turks on the Minerva hill in 1480. Otranto is the Byzantine heart and the mosaic of the life in the Cathedral. It has a castle that was built in 1578 and is surrounded by a ditch.

Going on towards South it is possible to catch a glimpse of the Serpe (Snake) tower, symbol of the city and metaphorically covered with blood by the bauxite storehouses, and of Masseria delle Orte where the sea draws inlets that can be reached through small paths. From here one reaches Punta Palascia, that is the most oriental point of Italy, at 82 meters above sea level.

Passing near some farms and admiring grottos and towers, one reaches Porto Badisco where it is said that Enea landed. It is composed by a long and narrow inlet among high rocks. It is a fiord in miniature and a prehistoric sanctuary surrounded by oleanders and Indian figs.

Going still onwards there is the sulphureous Santa Cesarea Terme famous for its hydrotherapeutic springs of its four caves and for its thermal tourism.

Now one reaches Castro that dominates from above. It has the old town and the castle to which oppose the harbour and one of the most fascinating inlet of the region, so wonderful that it gained the blue flag of the European Community for the pureness of the sea. Along the rugged coast there are cliffs vertically on the sea and the big Zinzulusa Grotto, that is almost a Km long, it has stalactites and stalagmites and it is a colony for many bats.

The same crystal sea is along Andrano coast, famous for its Verde (Green) Grotto with its flickering stalactites, up to Tricase coast line with its important harbour, parallel to Marina Serra, with a quadrangular tower that links Novaglie through a deep gully called Ponte sul Ciolo. Thinking about these places it is not possible to forget the magnificence of nature.
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THE IONIC COAST

Santa Maria di Leuca is the small town located between the two seas. It is 800 Km from Africa. It has a lighthouse of 47 meters and a sanctuary situated on the highest part of the promontory. It gave hospitality to pilgrims from all over the world. It is known for its villa of the end of the nineteenth century that has an oriental and neo-classic style.

Once Punta Ristola has been doubled the landscape changes considerably: the high and wild coast changes into lower cliffs and sandy extents, red lands and vineyards interrupted by towers of the sixteenth century.

The first small village is Patù with its S. Gregorio tower. It was Vereto harbour, ancient messapic town destroyed during the IX century.

Going up towards North there is Torre Vado (Morciano di Leuca) and Pescoluse, other seaside resorts such as Torre Pali (Salve), Torre Mozza and Torre San Giovanni (Ugento). This coast line was once very marshy. After 5 Km there is Ugento, ancient messapic town, with still some parts of the ancient walls. It is the seat of a Civic Museum that has many objects of the past. The castle is located 100 meters above sea level and the cathedral is of 1700.

Before reaching Gallipoli there is Torre Suda, Marina di Racale, Mancaversa and Torre Pizzo, a long extent of beaches and low rocks.

Now one reaches Gallipoli with its castle surrounded by high walls, the cathedral dedicated to S. Agata with the Baroque façade and other churches scattered around the city, the harbour for its trades and fishing, the Greek and Roman fountain and the courtly Palaces. On the horizon S. Andrea Island with its lighthouse is dimly seen.

Leaving Gallipoli and passing Torre Sabea, there is Rivabella and Lido Conchiglie, an extent of dunes, the wonderful Montagna Spaccata (the splitted mountain).

Immediately after there is Santa Maria al Bagno, already famous for its thermal baths and its roman harbour, a pleasant bathing town and with several dated buildings of the end of the nineteenth century; Santa Caterina, protected by Dell' Alto tower that dominates it from the Ravine of the Damned and from the tower of the XVII century that bears the same name.

In this area the naturalistic Park of Porto Selvaggio is remarkable, with Capelvenere Grotto and Uluzzo Grotto. The waters of Uluzzo bay are inviting and transparent. In Cavallo and Uluzzo Grotto there are the prehistoric archives.

Porto Cesareo, already a basilian centre, today is a remarkable touristic centre with 17 Km of beaches that face towards an archipelago of small islands of which the most known is the Conigli (Rabbits) Island. Also from this side the coast appears at intervals high and rocky and at intervals low and sandy, whereas the inland is composed by thick forests and bare rocks.

In this area there are also towers together with farms, olive-yards and vine-yards. Immediately after there is Torre Chianca that faces the small Malva Island, Torre Lapillo with its beautiful inlet that, after Torre Castiglione and Torre Columena, gives way to all the coast road up to Taranto, the end of the Salento land.
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GROTTOS

Salento caves preserve an extraordinary inventory of fossil remains.

Starting from the Adriatic side, in Roca Vecchia, there is immediately the Poesia (Poetry) Grotto, a natural paradise that preserves some important archaeological witnesses. The legend tells that in this Grotto, from its salutary waters, a wonderful princess loved to bathe and with her beauty she draws many poets from all over the South of Italy.

Going on towards South, the next Grotto is the Neolithic Cervi (Deer) Grotto, in Porto Badisco, one of the most imposing monuments of pictorial and rocky art of Europe. It has more than 3.000 pictographs in ochre and bats guano that represent dancing and hunting scenes, geometric figures and shamans. In Castro there is Romanelli Grotto with graffiti that show a mythology founded on sexual symbolism. Remains of elephants, rhinoceros, deer and penguins were discovered.

Zinzulusa Grotto, so called for the numberless stalactites and stalagmites conformations that recall hanged rags shapes, can be reached from a ravine and from the sea. Azzurra Grotto is not far from Zinzulusa and can be reached only from the sea. The Grotto has a variable luminescence from green to cobalt, thanks to the light refraction phenomenon.

Further south, in Capo di Leuca, there are antelucan caves. Tre Porte Grotto, so called because it has three arches at sight on the sea, preserves remains of the Neanderthal man and of African fauna. Then there are Elefante (Elephant) Grotto and Giganti (Giants) Grotto where bones and teeth of pachyderms were discovered. Diavolo (Devil) Grotto has a mouth of four meters, stands on Punta Ristola and can be reached either from the sea or from the land. Pieces of utensils and Neolithic ceramics were discovered there. Presepe (Creche) Grotto is on the ionic side of Leuca, it is opened with two mouths divided by a wall and it is important for the discovery of a rare species of water sponge in course of extinction.

On the Ionic side, from Punta Ristola to Uluzzo Bay, at the borders of Portoselvaggio Park Cavallo (Horse) Grotto and Uluzzo Grotto open with deposits of Palaeolithic hand made articles and remains of big mammals. The sea uniqueness, its charm and its greatness make even more characteristic these very ancient rocks protrusions.
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HANDICRAFTS

TERRACOTTA
Salento boasts a glorious and most ancient tradition in handicraft: ceramics and terracotta that date back to the third millennium B.C. Just think about all the finds that date back to the prehistoric age and that people the museums in Salento. In particular, pots have a very ancient tradition because of "cucco", a small jug with a single handle used to pour water.

The water was taken by the women who went to the fountains and filled an "orcio", a larger vessel made of terracotta, with two handles, so that it could be lifted and put on the head. Other types of pots, all bigger than cucco, where "fiasca" , a flask covered with wicker with a single handle, "minzani" a vessel used for oil, "capase", a glazed vessel used to preserve foods, "pignate", pans used to cook legumes, "trimmuni" and "limmo" a small vessel that still has a domestic use. The working of terracotta is not restricted to the production of domestic objects, but also to games such as whistles, small bells and "pupi" that still enliven our creches. S. Pietro in Lama, Lecce, Cutrofiano, Ruffano and Lucugnano are well known for their flourishing production of terracotta.

PAPIERMACHE
Papermaché production comes typically from Lecce. Also the origin of this ancient trade dates back to some centuries ago. It is said that it was born in the ‘600, in the back of the shop of some barbers. Other people say that it was invented by more modest people who enjoyed themselves in shaping straw and rags covering them with paper, making in such a way the famous statues and holy figures that are present still today in many churches of Salento.

STONE FROM LECCE
The stone from Salento dates back to the second half of the nineteenth-century. Already at that time it was unanimously ascribed to the Miocene, a time during the tertiary period which lasted from 23 to 17 millions of years ago. Today the working techniques of the past have been replaced by modern machinery that allows making works done with the stone from Lecce in less time. However on the land there are still handicraftsmen that work using the stone-cutter.

Due to its composition, the stone from Lecce obtained the function of suitable material for decorations. It is also due to its presence that today people can admire several Baroque works, such as the church of Santa Croce in Lecce.

REEDS WEAVING
Today besides marshy reeds weaving, common cane-brake weaving or wicker weaving it is possible to find sticks and young suckers. Handmade techniques tend to praise the quality of the final work and to fight against the quality of the industrial production without the fear of losing. The current production is limited to the area of Acquarica del Capo.

Reeds working exist in the province of Lecce from time immemorial. Reeds weaving were born in the production of hampers and baskets to pick up fruit or for ricotta or junket. However there are also weaving works done with sticks and olive branches.

WEAVING AND EMBROIDERY
In almost all communes in the South of Salento there are spinners and weavers that work with the traditional loom of Salento. It is a treadle loom with a very ancient origin.
It has a rectangular shape and it is made of olive wood. Also embroideries and lace are one of the highest prides of the expert tradeswomen of Salento.

This tradition was handed down from mother to daughter. In each village of the province there is at least an embroideress and lace-maker who is able to decorate a highly valuable trousseau. The most known lace is the "chiacchierino", which is done with a spool on the fingers, and also the "tombolo", which is done with the famous art of weaving the treads around other treads that are pinned up on a drawing fixed on a big cylindrical and stuffed pillow.

WROUGHT IRON AND COPPER
Using hammer and forge, very ancient tools, craftsmen, still today, make candlesticks, chandeliers, heads of beds, gratings, balusters, banisters, grilles and railings. Copper is lighter and with its particular read colour, it has always been a highly demanded metal.

The objects made of copper are often wonderful jugs, carafes, amphorae, coffee-pots, cruets and frying-pans. It is also worth noting enamelled copper.
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HISTORY

Salento is the most oriental region of Italy, a border land, like a balcony that faces two seas.

Salento history always met with the Oriental one, starting from the legend that sees in the inhabitant of Creta the founders of Lecce. This is also due to the Mediterranean facing it and where a lot of civilisations meet.

During the Bronze Age the Salento peninsula was inhabited by Indo-European populations. Testimonies of this period are the ten dolmens and menhir that are in the lower part of Salento.

The first inhabitants of this land, around the V century BC, were the Messaps who were dedicated to agriculture, horse breeding and pottery. This population gave an impulse to the construction of cities with imposing walls.

However, already during the VIII century, Greek settlers founded along the coast cities such as Gallipoli, Otranto, Taranto that would become landmarks of Magna Grecia, small capital cities more prestigious than that of the fatherland.

As regards the Greeks presence in Salento, there is still today a linguistic area named Greece of Salento. This Hellenic area is located in Lecce province, within the heart of Salento, at South-East of the Salento peninsula. It has very ancient origins: some set the origins of the Greek area during the Byzantine period; whereas others anticipate its birth to the period of Magna Grecia. This ethnic and linguistic minority embraces nine communes: Calimera, Castrignano dei Greci, Corigliano d'Otranto, Martano, Martignano, Melpignano, Soleto, Sternatia and Zollino.

Immediately after the war in Taranto, Salento became a roman province.

Romans, conquering Salento, discovered sculpture, painting and the taste for poetry. One of the most important Roman writer and poet was Quinto Ennio who was born in Messapica Rudiae, a city at the gates of Lecce where today there are still archaeological remains. Romans took advantage of their strategic position strengthening the road system coming from the Urbe, making of Brindisi the terminus of the Appian and Traiana Way and building there harbours such as in San Cataldo and Roca.

After the fall of the Roman Empire of Occident, Salento underwent the Byzantine and the Norman rule that, together with Federico II, brought the region to be once again the centre of the world. Under the Swabian started a long period of decadence that went on under the Angevin, the Aragonese and the Spanish vice-regal rule that brought new sacrifices to this land.

The peninsula went through a long period of sacks and destruction. The contacts with the Balkan side were intense till the invasions of the Goths, Longobards and Byzantines. The latter ruled for many centuries. The constant penetration of the Orient Church characterised the religious life: firstly with the incoming of isolated individuals escaping from religious and political persecutions, then with the spreading of monacheism in particular the one inspired to San Basilio. The followers of San Basilio built everywhere coenobia gathering around them the population divided between prayers and field labour.

Another important but at the same time dramatic period for Salento was the Turks invasion that in 1480 attached and sacked Otranto whose resistance was punished by the killing of 800 inhabitants.

This was one of the episodes that started the construction of guard-towers under the Spanish rule, starting from the sixteenth century, during the reign of Carlo V.

Lecce became, during the same period, one of the most beautiful and important city for cultural and artistic activities. Besides attracting nobles and scholars, it also involved the inland with its baroque aspect.
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FARMS

"Masserie" = FARMS represent a close relationship among man life, work and production.

They testimony the type of economic and social organisation of the land and of the rural settings that dates back to the Medieval period. They were built for the farmers who worked the fields even if they belonged to the rich landowners who benefited of a part of the harvest. The other part was of the farmer who, in such a way, also gets the home for his own family.

The production was mainly the growing of wheat, olives, and cereals, besides cattle-breeding, milk and cheese production.

All the farms had a tower that was almost never inhabited by the farmer, but it was inhabited by the owner. The other purpose of the tower was to make sighting easier. The lower part of the farm was used for milk working. Around the tower there was often a spiral staircase that could reach 15 or 16 meters, next to it there were always a well, basins for washing and watering places.

Lecce district has many examples of farms: Rauccio: it is between Surbo and Torre Rinalda. It has ruins of a chapel and a cylindrical dove-cot located not far from the simple line tower that dominates the verdant landscape. In 1755 it belonged to the Convent of Santissima Annunciata of Lecce.

In the neighbourhood of this farm there is another one called Masseria Barrera composed of two flanked towers, both of them supplied with embrasures in line with doors and windows.

Masseria Coccioli is another one of the same importance. Though deserted, it still preserves the memory of a happy season for Salento agricultural economy. It is composed of a tower with a squared basis, an internal staircase, a drawbridge and a chapel.

On the contrary, Masseria Monacelli is defaced by vandals who deprived it of its four coat-of-arms and its statue. There is also an underground oil-mill. From here it is possible to see the two floors tower with an internal staircase of the next Masseria Gianpaolo that is bound to the names of the most important feudal families of Lecce, among which Federico Tafuri and Gian Domenico Cigala.

Furthermore, on the road to Squinzano there is Masseria Ghietta with its two floors tower and an elegant small church dedicated to S. Maria degli Angeli.

Even in Nardò lands, in times gone by, there were several farm-houses among which Masseria Carignano Grande with the chapel, the dove-cot tower with a circular basis. The elegant ashlar-work in the sixteenth century style frames doorways and windows. The building is shaped more as a typical rustic villa than a fortified farm. It also has a well and a cistern.

After several hundred of meters, at the cross-roads between Gallipoli and Taranto, there is Masseria Brusca with its eighteenth century chapel and the architectural motives that surround the garden walls. At 2 Km distance, on the road that from Nardò leads to Manduria, it is possible to catch a glimpse of Masseria Nucci, a rather modest building complex with a two floors tower slightly leaning at the basis that dates back to the first half of the fifteenth century. In 1699 it was given to the Monastery of S. Chiara di Nardò.

Almost at the border there is another building, Masseria Sciogli with its two towers built during different periods. On one of them lean a brick staircase and a massive drawbridge. The decorative motives are of elegant making.

In the middle of a pine forest it is possible to catch a glimpse of the outline of Masseria Giudice Giorgio, the most spectacular rural building of Salento, with embrasures and angular look-out turrets linked with a covered hall that give the effect of being close to a castle. On the road from Vergole to Porto Cesareo there is Masseria Trappeto with a scenographical staircase leaning on the tower, a room with an oil-mill and a wide wall where runs a pathway from which one reaches a staircase located on the wall adjoining the main entrance.

From Gallipoli to Santa Maria di Leuca there are many other farms. On the land between Torre S. Giovanni Marina, Ugento, Pressicce and Torre Vado, there is another group of farms different for typology and structure such as the stately Torre Mammarie, the cylindrical Torre Vecchia, from Masseria Tunna to Masseria del Feudo up to Masseria Torre Pali.

In the last ten years many farms were restored and became houses, but there are also farm holidays and hotels that preserve untouched the charm of the past, a landscape to discover, scenery that changes continuously but that still remains evocative.
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TOWERS

On the Salento coasts there are about 58 towers, located on promontories or on rocky grounds. Some of them still preserve all their magnificence. During the Saracen incursions they were used as sighting towers.

They are landmarks for sailors, they identify places and they make the Marine atmosphere special.

The majority of them have a squared plan with a slightly leaning basis and a structure provided with loopholes and embrasures; some others are cylindrical.

In Lecce Marine there is Torre Specchiolla with a squared basis and a pyramid-shaped trunk. It has 12 embrasures (an opening done in rock projections and galleries to throw stones and boiling liquid on the enemies but also to favour the downflow of waters) "a filo di scarpa" (an inclined terrace, usually built with ground that gives to the wall a progressively enlarged form at the basis). Torre Rinalda is similar to the previous one even if it has a different size; Torre Veneri whose trunk is still pyramid-shaped but unfortunately the above part has fallen down; Torre Chianca that was built in 1569 and has a circular shape and San Cataldo that exists since 1485.

In the area of Medelungo Marine, instead, there is Torre Specchia Ruggeri that was built in 1568, has a squared basis and has no signs of embrasures. On the contrary, Torre San Foca has 12 embrasures, three on each side. Only in 1577 there was added a falconet (a small piece of artillery). Torre Roca Vecchia, today in decay, is similar to the other towers and was built on a rock close to the shore; Torre dell'Orso where are preserved some names of horse-dealers such as Giovanni Maria Corvino, Gennaro Stefano, Pietro Corsano and Giovanni Battista Cortese.

In Otranto there are the following towers: Torre S. Andrea that was rearranged and is now used as the Harbour-Office; Torre Fiumicelli that has always a pyramid-shaped trunk, is by the Alimini beach and its above floor has almost entirely collapsed; Torre del Serpe has a cylindrical shape, even it is slightly in decay, it was the old city lighthouse and is the symbol of Otranto; Torre dell'Orte has been transformed in a farm. Finally, Torre Sant'Emiliano that dominates the bay bearing the same name and has a part that collapsed.

Between Santa Cesarea and Castro there are other towers, for example Torre Minervino with its typical low and round shape and its walls of large thickness, shape that was used for castles has two towers and three embrasures "a filo di scarpa", on the top there are small fire mouths. Torre di Castro with a squared basis dominates a great area and has big loopholes (a narrow opening, done directly in the tower walls, that became wide towards the inside so that the defender could use arms remaining sheltered) able to fire on the beneath coast. Torre Lupo is located on a hill, it has a cylindric shape and a "torus marcapiano" (horizontal line, sometimes of bricks, on the façade of a house that mark the division between a floor and the other) The nearby Torre di Andriano has almost entirely collapsed.

Towards Leuca there are the following towers: Torre del Sasso is built on a height far from the coast, Torre Palane has two "tore marcapiano" that divide the lower floor from the upper one, and it has an embrasure, four fire mouths and small brackets.

Torre di Naspre was built in 1565, is on a cliff vertically on the sea, has a circular shape and is half destroyed. Torre di Specchia Grande has a circular shape, was built in 1550 but is now deeply rearranged. Torre di Novaglie was built during the reign of Pedro di Toledo and today is a ruin. Torre dell'Ominimorti is a wide and mighty casematte (a construction with openings towards the outside to be able to fire for defence) with a low and round shape. It was built in 1569; a "torus marcapiano" divides it in two parts: on the lower floor there are four big loopholes and on the upper floor there are the Barbetta batteries (platform located on the higher part of the tower to allow stones hurling).

From Leuca to Ugento there are Torre di Marchiello, with a cylindric shape, that is now a ruin; Torre Vado that on the upper floor has many small brackets interrupted by four embrasures that support a wonderful battlement. Torre Pali is located exactly in the middle of the sea; Torre Mozza has a cylindric shape and at the top still has brackets that hold the above floor. Torre S. Giovanni was built in 1565 and was attached by the Turks who tried to destroy it. There are signs of that battle still today.

Along the coast road from Gallipoli to Nardò there are the following towers: Torre Suda has a cylindric shape, a staircase that leads to the upper floor, ornamental brackets, a "torus marcapiano", an embrasure and a quadrangular construction added during a following period. Torre del Pizzo or del Cotriero is divided in two parts.

Torre S. Giovanni della pedata (kick) has three embrasures on each side and has a cylindric shape. Torre Sabea has a spatule outline mounted on the upper floor of the cylindrical building. Torre dell'Alto Lido has a pyramid shaped trunk and a wonderful staircase that leads to the upper floor. Torre del Fiume called Four Columns, is built where several spring of fresh-water flow. It is a small block-house with towers that are 16 meters high and their plan is pentagonal. They are divided in three floors and by two "tore marcapiano". Torre S. Caterina has a beautiful staircase and three embrasures on each side. Torre dell'Alto dominates the coast. Torre dell'Uluzzo has partly fallen down. Torre dell'Inserraglio has embrasures and fire mouths.

From Porto Cesareo to San Pietro in Bevagna rise: Torre Sant'Isidoro, Torre Squillace, Torre Porto Cesareo that is now the Customs Office, Torre Chianca, Torre Lapillo, Torre Castiglione, Torre Colimena, Torre Saline where on the first floor there were warehouses to keep salt. It has barrel vaults and hog-backed floor (ideal to drain salt humidity). Torre Baracco is based on a big reef, Torre dei Molini; Torre di San Pietro in Bevagna has a big size and its characteristic four point star shape.
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CASTLES

Salento peninsula was considered for centuries the 'door of Italy', a border land, where the historical events influenced the settling down order also because of its geographical position.

This allows the creation of highly complex defence systems and the testimony is given by the fortified castles built to defend the land. They were surrounded by big blocks of stones. It is still possible to see some remains in Vaste and Muro Leccese. These complex systems of defence were used especially after the fall of the Roman rule.

In Otranto, Aragonese Castle was built between 1485 and 1498 and is surrounded by a deep ditch with three cylindrical towers and a bastion shaped as a sharp lance. Under the Spanish occupation a big part of the castles were rebuilt and reinforced.

It is also worth noting Acaya Castle, a small village that is 11 Km far from Lecce. It was built by Alfonso of Acaya between 1496 and 1506, then enlarged and fortified by Gian Giacomo during 1521.

The plan of Medelungo Castle is star-shaped and its nucleus dates back to the XVII century. The fort, enlarged by Ameli Barons, is now inhabited by the Sisters Stigmatiche.

Andrano Castle was built by Spinola family during the XIII century; its plan is squared and has a circular tower. Depressa Castle, after its reconstruction in 1548, was changed into a farm with its squared towers, its open gallery and its stair. Tricase Castle was supplied with a defence system during the XIII century, when the feud belonged to Pignatelli family. The inhabited part was surrounded by a large ditch and had two doors that faced the sea and the countryside.

As it always happened, the Turks destroyed almost entirely this defence system that was then rebuilt by the Gallones during the following century. Along the walls it is still possible to see two vertical fissures along which ran the drawbridge chains.

Tutino Castle (Tricase hamlet) has a modest size and was built in 1580 by the feudatory Luigi Trane. Till some years ago it still preserved the internal furniture formed by the gallery and the Prince throne.

Caprarica Castle is particularly significant for the peculiar structure of the walls parameter and the yellow colour of the walls that are made of carparo. It has a squared plan, four cylindrical towers located at the corners and has also a machicolation with three mouths that defends the central door.

Lucugnano Castle has a severe and embattled quadrangular tower. It was built during the XVI century by Castrista Scandeberg family and then was passed on to Capace family. Alessano Castle with its sixteenth century façade that was built by Gonzaga family and the adjoining San Giovanni Palace overlook the surrounding land. Morciano Castle was built by Guglielmo VI of Brienne around the first half of the XIV century. It has a squared plan and at the corners there are cylindrical towers. Only one of them maintained its original size, since one was demolished to leave its place to a chapel and the other two became part of a fortification of a following period. It has embrasures, loopholes and gunners for small artillery. The castle was defended by a row of tower houses.

Ugendo Castle has an irregular trapezoidal plan with angular towers of which two are no longer present. Supersano Castle was erected following the order of two Generals of Carlo V after the battle that took place in 1528 at the slope of the hill by the present cemetery. Here there was a small church, called Vittoria Crurch, that was then destroyed and whose altar was brought in the basilian crypt. At the present time it belongs to d'Amore family. Ruffano Castle rises in the wonderful square of the village and on the site of a previous fortification that dates back to the Medieval period.

Casarano Castle is considered the biggest chatelaine residence in Salento and its façade is 120 meters. It is made of carparo. Parabita Castle belonged to Castrista family. On the façade there is the coat-of-arms of Ferrari family who lived there during the XVIII century.

Gallipoli Castle was rebuilt during the XVI century incorporating the previous Angevin foundation that was raised on a Byzantine fortification. Nardò Castle has mandorla towers and is at the present time the town-hall. Corigliano d'Otranto Castle has a squared plan, four angular towers and is surrounded by a ditch. It is stretched on a surface of about 730 square meters. Several Baroque decorations were added later on between 1500 and 1600. Copertino Castle was built between 1530 and 1540 by Evangelista Menga on the remains of a Medieval dwelling and has a Renaissance doorway conceived as a triumphal arch.

Let us also mention Castro Castle that rises on the remains of a stone and represents a significant example of Medieval architecture. In Santa Maria al Bagno, the castle is also called 'the four columns' even if there is still little of its angular towers of a quadrangular base of the sixteenth century. Last but not least, Lecce Castle that was built following an order of Carlo V. It has a trapezoidal shape; it is separated by a middle yard with four struts of different size at its sides. It has a remarkable architectonic interest.
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