The picturesque town of Santa Maria di Leuca is situated on the promontory region of Apulia which separates the Adriatic from the Tyrrhennian Sea. It is actually a frazioni of Castrignano del Capo.
Begin your day in the town centre at the stunning Basilica of Santa Maria de Finibus Terae and gradually weave your way through the pretty flower adorned streets of Santa Maria di Leuca.
A visible landmark of the town is the white 157ft tall lighthouse which overlooks the glittering sea. Set sail from the port here on a guided tour of some of the popular sea caves, carved out by the forces of the sea over many centuries.
The most popular of these includes the Grotto dei Giganti, Grotta del Drago and Grotto del Diavolo. The last one was named so because of an eerie legend describing it as the home of demons that made the chilling noise that rumbled from it! The noise in fact came from when the tide came into the cave and rapidly pushed air through the eroded holes in the rock.
Begin your day in the town centre at the stunning Basilica of Santa Maria de Finibus Terae and gradually weave your way through the pretty flower adorned streets of Santa Maria di Leuca.
A visible landmark of the town is the white 157ft tall lighthouse which overlooks the glittering sea. Set sail from the port here on a guided tour of some of the popular sea caves, carved out by the forces of the sea over many centuries.
The most popular of these includes the Grotto dei Giganti, Grotta del Drago and Grotto del Diavolo. The last one was named so because of an eerie legend describing it as the home of demons that made the chilling noise that rumbled from it! The noise in fact came from when the tide came into the cave and rapidly pushed air through the eroded holes in the rock.
Another called Grotta del Presepe owes its name to the stalactite formations that look similar to a nativity scene. Nature lovers will feel like they’re in paradise here because for several years now, Santa Maria di Leuca has been part of the Otranto Coastal Park and Tricase Forest Reserve.
There is an abundance of protected plant and animal life here which interested tourists can discover. Scuba diving enthusiasts would love to book a sailing out to a submarine wreak, 80 metres below the surface just off the Punta Ristola.
This was an Italian submarine which was sunk during World War II and today its shell serves as the home of a colourful array of sea life!
Choose from a wide range of holiday rentals in Apulia and spend a memorable day exploring the treasures of Santa Maria di Leuca!
This was an Italian submarine which was sunk during World War II and today its shell serves as the home of a colourful array of sea life!
Choose from a wide range of holiday rentals in Apulia and spend a memorable day exploring the treasures of Santa Maria di Leuca!
Photo credits
picture 1: LPLT / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Pufui_Pc_Pifpef_I / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Mentnafunangann / CC BY-SA 4.0
picture 1: LPLT / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Pufui_Pc_Pifpef_I / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Mentnafunangann / CC BY-SA 4.0
