Santa Maria di Leuca (The tip of the heel)
Drive to the southernmost tip of the Salento peninsula to visit Santa Maria di Leuca, where you can see the meeting of the Ionian and Adriatic Seas. Climb to the top of the famous lighthouse for panoramic views of the Salento coast. Santa Maria di Leuca was founded in the early 1st century AD by some monks, after Saint Peter’s passage. A cross was built in his honor and it is still there.
According to Luigi Tasselli (17th century) the town takes its name from “Leucasia”, a white beautiful mermaid who conquered sailors and farmers by her charming voice. One day Leucasia saw Melisso the shepherd and fell hopelessly in love with him, but he was already in love with Aristula.
Leucasia spotted the loving young couple walking along the rocky cliffs. In a rage, she summoned a storm that enveloped & drowned Melisso and Aristula. The Goddess Minerva took pity on the young couple and made them eternal by transforming them to rocks- Punta Meliso and Punta Ristola.
As punishment for her actions Minerva turned Leucasia into the town of Leuca.
How many towns have a love triangle origin story?
In a later legend, the Virgin Mary saved some boats from a storm, and her name was added to that of Leuca.
10 great things to do in Santa Maria di Leuca
1. Visit the Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Leuca: This historical church is perched on a hill overlooking the town and offers stunning views of the coastline. Basilica, De Finibus Terrae (“End of the Land”, 1720-1755), built to commemorate the passage of St. Peter during his travel to Italy. It is devoted to Saint Mary (where the town gets the name Santa Maria di Leuca). It lies on the former site of a Greek temple dedicated to Athena. The edifice has a fortified structure that sustained several assaults by Algerian pirates. Take the time to explore the church, staircase and its surrounding gardens.
2. Take a boat tour: Discover the beauty of the coastline and crystal-clear waters of Santa Maria di Leuca by taking a boat tour. Explore Italy’s amazing caves in this part of Puglia – including Grotta Porcinara, the Grotta del Diavolo, the Grotta del Fiume, the Grotta delle Tre Porte, the Caverna dei Giganti, Grotta della Stalla and the majestic Dragon cave. You can also choose from a variety of tour options, including snorkeling trips, and sunset cruises.
3. Explore the Punta Ristola lighthouse: This iconic lighthouse marks the southernmost point of the Salento Peninsula and offers breathtaking views of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Climb to the top of the lighthouse for panoramic views of the southern most tip of Salento.
4. Relax on the beaches and shoreline: Santa Maria di Leuca boasts several beautiful beaches where you can soak up the sun and take a refreshing dip in the sapphire-blue waters. The eastern coast of Salento is known for rocky grottos and inlets, while the western coastline of Capo di Leuca is dotted with beautiful sandy beaches, sand dunes, restaurants ,and Lidos(beach clubs). Some popular beaches to visit include Marina di Novaglie, Marina di Leuca, and Pescoluse. Check out the ancient carved baths or visit a beach club.
5. Attend an authentic Salento festival Two fall festivals are celebrations in honor of Santi Medici in Gagliano del Capo on September 26th and the Festival of St. Michael the Archangel in Patu and Castrignano del Capo on September 29th. These religious festival usually include food, dancing, and fireworks. Don’t worry if you don’t know the steps to the traditional dances. The locals are likely to pull you right in.
6. Hike out to ancient watch towers There used to be 171 watch towers that were actively used to defend the peninsula, and use fire, smoke, bells, horns and cannons to signal and alert all those that defended the area. See Torre Vado and other Ancient Coastal Watchtowers and their beautiful rocky promontories.
7. You have got to try this Mortadella! Bologna may be the birthplace of mortadella, but the celebrated deli meat is transformed into something special in the Capo di Leuca region. Try a sandwich made by the maestro of mortadella, Chef Giuseppe Alessio, dubbed the “King of Mortadella” by actress Helen Mirren who lives in the area. Chef Alessio is at the deli counter at the Punta Risparmio Supermercato ( Il Mio) where he creates his famous sandwiches. You will be transformed!
8. Visit Cascata Monumentale di Leuca- especially at night
The man-made waterfall or cascata monumentale di Leuca was built by Mussolini to commemorate the completion of the longest aqueduct in Europe. The waterfall has a set of stairs on each side with the lighthouse and Basilica. The lighting at night make a beautiful illmination.
Each Friday night at sunset, the water arrives via the aqueduct to the end of the peninsula, is blessed in the Basilica and and then pours into the sea to celebrate the end of the earth and the beginning of the endless sea. This impressive one-hour display of cascading waters in Italian colors is occasionally accompanied by music during special events.
9. More great hiking
You can hike the rocky cliffside trail to Ciolo Bridge and then cool off at a fjord near Gagliano del Capo and swim in the protected, crystal blue water.
You can experience the life of a pilgrim by walking the trail that forms part of the Via Francigena, an ancient trekking route from France to Rome and ports of for the Holy Land in Puglia.
You may also hike the Sentiero Cipolliane, a rocky seaside trail that leads to ancient grottos carved into the stone.
10. Take an E-bike tour. The Via Leucadense is an ancient route from to Leuca to Lecce. It is approximately 10k and perfect for an electric bike adventure