POPULAR DESTINATIONS
Purity Beach: Gallipoli's most famous image
Among Gallipoli’s beaches, the most loved by Gallipolians and the one which has been most immortalised in souvenir photos is definitely Purity Beach (Spiaggetta della Purità), in the historic centre, a small crescent-shaped bay embraced by the walls of the old town, where you can bathe sheltered from the winds. The view from here is exceptional, a beautiful spot to admire the sunset going down just behind the island of Sant’Andrea. It’s also a free stretch of beach, which is usually quieter than the beaches along the coast.
The name of this beach (‘Puritate’ for the Salentans) derives from the ancient church of S. Maria della Purità which dominates it from above and is itself worth a visit, as it is a treasure trove of extraordinary art and frescoes.
The bauxite quarry in Otranto, the red paradise
You can’t spend a holiday in Salento without visiting this unique and magical place: the bauxite quarry is a truly evocative landscape with an unusual colour palette. You can find the emerald of the pond, the bright red of the earth and rocks, the green of the lush vegetation all around, the blue of the Adriatic glimpsed on the horizon.
The bauxite quarry is located near Punta Palascia. It was discovered around the 1940s and abandoned in the 1970s. A ‘wild’ state which has allowed nature to regain control, and flora and fauna to flourish. There is also a pine forest nearby where you can stop for a picnic.
Villa sticchi and Moorish architecture, oriental charm
When you look at Villa Sticchi, in Santa Cesarea Terme, you’ll hardly believe that you’re in Salento. It all feels like you’ve been catapulted to an exotic destination in the Orient. Although it looks like a sumptuous Ottoman palace, this villa is actually very Italian, and was built at the end of the 19th century.
Its Moorish style is a tribute to multiculturalism, a bridge between peoples which has had significant Islamic influences. Carvings from local stone decorate the façade and the dome, while the interior is structured around a central vestibule. The mosaic floor with geometric carvings is remarkable. A must-see destination, as are the other aristocratic villas along the coast.
