Vacations in Santa Maria di Leuca, at the center of the Mediterranean
Leuca, also known as Santa Maria di Leuca because of the beautiful shrine that watches over it from above, is a tourist resort in the province of Lecce, a seaside hamlet very close to two municipalities, Gagliano del Capo and the town of Castrignano del Capo, to which it belongs.
In winter there are less than a thousand Leucans, while in summer there are about 30,000 visitors, thanks in part to the marina that is among the largest and safest in Apulia, with 760 berths, for boats up to 40 meters long.
Leuca, whose name comes from the Greek word leukòs (white), is the most southeastern point in Italy, among the most popular destinations in Salento in which to spend vacations in Apulia; if you plan to stop in the lower Salento, it is therefore a good idea to book accommodation in Santa Maria di Leuca, as the ideal point to be in contact with the sea, nature and tradition.
Leuca stretches along the Ionian coast, although ideally it is the point where the two seas, the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea, meet (in truth, these meet in the Otranto Channel at Punta Palascia). Leuca unrolls between two points: Punta Meliso on which the lighthouse stands, and Punta Ristola, where one of Italy's largest flags flies.
Vacations in Santa Maria di Leuca, what to see
The first stop on your trip to Leuca must surely be the Sanctuary of Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae, which is the symbol of the locality, where pilgrims arriving along the Via Francigena arrived for centuries.
Behind the shrine stands the imposing 1866 Leuca Lighthouse , designed by Achille Rossi, which cannot be visited because it is a military zone. From the shrine's forecourt, the stone cross marks the beginning of the 284-step staircase next to the monumental waterfall of the Apulian Aqueduct, which descends toward the marina and ends with a Corinthian column from 1694. The waterfall is open only during events.
Once down in lower Leuca, one walks along the Cristoforo Colombo waterfront that reaches the 1555 Dead Man's Tower. Along the promenade you can admire the eclectic 19th-century villas, some now converted into hotels in Santa Maria di Leuca. Among the most famous are Villa La Meridiana, Villa Episcopo and Villa Mellacqua.
On the shoreline adjacent to the waterfront, which alternates between the beautiful beaches of Santa Maria di Leuca and low cliffs, two "bagnarole" can still be seen. The bagnarole were small colorful houses, in the style of the villas to which they belonged, where ladies could bathe without sunbathing. In fact, in other times, tanned skin was a characteristic of the poorest, forced to work in the fields.
The caves of Leuca
Finally, among the things to see in Leuca are the beautiful caves thatopen directly onto the sea. To the left of the lighthouse the cliff is high and sheer, and there are numerous narrow and high caves, which can be visited with a boat trip, a very active service in Leuca. On the shoreline to the right of the lighthouse, on the other hand, the coast becomes lower and gentler, and the caves are wide and welcoming. Some can also be reached on foot from the coast.
Among the sea caves to visit, very characteristic are Santa Maria di Leuca's Grotta del Diavolo, Grotta dei Giganti, and Grotta degli Innamorati. This and much more, you can discover during your stay.
It is worth exploring the caves of Santa Maria di Leuca accompanied by a local guide to discover the features that make all caves unique, and that can tell stories and legends that inhabit them. The Terrarico C ave is just 46 miles from the Greek shore. The Grotta del Soffio (Breath Cave) opens at the surface of the water like a mouth blowing on the sea causing a small whirlpool.
The most famous of Leuca's caves is the Porcinara, where the Messapians worshipped the god of the sea. The Devil's Cave, in other times, was even believed to be the Gates of Hell where, according to legend, Telemachus also passed in search of his father Ulysses.
The history of Leuca
Leuca stands at the foot of a small rise where, in very ancient times, there was a temple dedicated to the goddess Minerva. According to legend, the apostle Peter landed right here starting his work of evangelization in the West and for this he transformed the ancient pagan temple by dedicating it to Our Lady.
To cope with Saracen attacks, the church was fortified in the 18th century. Inside the minor pontifical basilica, today, the altar to Minerva is preserved, testifying to the ancient cult to the goddess much loved by the people of Salento, in when she protected the olive trees. Another important historical testimony in the church, is the bronze plaque dedicated to the French crew Leon Gambetta, which sank in 1915, in which 700 people lost their lives.
The surroundings of Santa Maria di Leuca
Staying based in houses in Leuca during the summer vacations also allows you to get away from it all around the surroundings of the Capo di Leuca in the Lower Salento region. Just 4 km from Santa Maria di Leuca is Castrignano del Capo, a small town where you can visit the mother church, rebuilt in 1743 following a terrible earthquake that shook the Terra d'Otranto, and Borgo Terra, a kind of fortified farmhouse located in the center. If you are looking for a different place than usual for your stay, if you want to know and discover the most archaic and unusual traditions of Salento, choose your vacation home in Castrignano del Capo.
Among the most beautiful beaches and off the usual tourist routes, we recommend you see the beautiful sandy beach of Felloniche. The ideal place for those who want to indulge in a pleasant and relaxing bath surrounded by a quiet and welcoming scenery. Find your vacation home in Felloniche among our proposals.
If in Santa Maria di Leuca you are also staying on vacation from a spiritual point of view, then don't miss a visit to the sanctuary of Leuca Piccola, a miniature in scale of the sanctuary of Finibus Terrae located in Barbarano del Capo, a hamlet of Morciano di Leuca, a kind of service area where pilgrims on the Via Francigena found refreshment before arriving at their longed-for destination.
Today, thanks to Barbarhouse and its catalog of rental solutions, you can experience a journey marked by a taste for beauty, good living and the serenity that only an unspoiled land can give you. What are you waiting for, leave now!
