Gallipoli
Our guide, in Gallipoli, will lead us to the discovery of the “bastions area”, along some of the patrician buildings and some confraternities headquarters, including “Santa Maria delle Purità”, and then, go into the old town to visit the Sant’Agata Cathedral, best example of Baroque architecture. Through courts and alleys, the walk continues before reaching the Angevin Castle, that is considered one of the rare castles to be wet from the sea.
The tour ends at the Hellenistic Fountain and the small church of Santa Cristina.
Otranto
Otranto is the city of the 800 martyrs, beheaded during the Turk siege in 1480. Their remains are preserved in the ancient Norman cathedral. The mosaic floor inside dating back to 1165 represents the tree of life, dominated by mythological and biblical scenes.
The Aragonese Castle introduces to the old town, with small course full of small shops, and the ramparts overlooking the sea. In the heart of the old town, on the highest point, there is the Byzantine church of S. Pietro with some of the oldest frescoes in the province.
There will be free time for shopping in the heart of the old town or to visit the Aragonese Castle.
Lecce
Lecce is Salento’s muse, Lecce is the supreme ideal of Salento’s art, the highest expression of the baroque artistic beauty, not coincidentally is called the ” the South’s Firenze “. Walking in the old town you can admire and discover the palaces, the Duomo, Santa Chiara, the Roman Theatre and San Matteo.
One can’t miss to see the symbol of the city: the famous S.Oronzo where we can see the ruins of the Roman amphitheater, the Seat and the Roman Column on which stands the patron’s statue.
Finally we visit the church of S. Croce and the Celestine Convent.
A historical-architectural tour but, also, with food and wine features, with handicraft and with pure leisure and relaxation, because, in your moments of rest you will have the chance to taste the delicious “pasticciotto Leccese”, to discover one of the many “papier mache” laboratories and go shopping in the historic center shops.
Santa Maria di Leuca
Departure towards Punta Meliso, the easternmost promontory of “Finibus Terrae”, where is the Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Leuca. A staircase leads to the port and to the eclettic villas that lining the sea to the opposite promontory: Punta Ristola, where is Porcinara Cave, ancient coastal sanctuary, place of exchanges between Greeks and Messapi.
Presicce – Acquarica
The journey begins between the Middle Ages and the old farmhouses, such as the Celsorizzo tower that oversees the area near the” Madonna dei Panetti” church, and reach the ancient ”Public street”, around which have developed the underground mills of Presicce and the historic homes of their owners. Special attention deserve the ”marsh bulrush” museum in Acquarica, and the “hanging gardens” of the ducal palace of Presicce.