PORTO CESAREO

It is located on the Ionian coast of the Salento peninsula, an important tourist resort in Salento. At the time of the Romans, it was called Portus Sasinae, when it was an important port for trade in the agricultural products of the rich inland areas.

Along the coast there are four watch towers built in the sixteenth century to protect the Salento peninsula from enemy invasions: Torre Cesarea, Torre Lapillo, Torre Chianca and Torre Castiglione; only some ruins remain of the latter as it was demolished during the Second World War.

GALLIPOLI

It turns out to be one of the cities in Puglia that most benefits from the large flow of tourists during the summer months. Gallipoli is in fact an international destination for summer tourism, given the large number of visitors coming from different countries of Europe and the rest of the world.

It overlooks the Ionian Sea, along the west coast of Salento. In addition to the marvelous territory in which it is immersed, the architectural structure itself of the city of Gallipoli is very suggestive and attractive, thanks to a rare particularity: it is in fact divided into two parts, the village and the historic center.

LECCE

It is the provincial capital and the major cultural center of the Salento peninsula and it is home to the homonymous archdiocese and the University of Salento.

Lecce is located in the central-northern part of the Salento plain, the territory of Lecce overlooks the Adriatic Sea for about 20 km. The low-lying coastal areas have long sandy stretches, along which there are centuries-old dunes covered with Mediterranean vegetation. Along the coast there are some fortifications, built in the sixteenth century to cope with Saracen incursions. Along the coast there are four watch towers built in the sixteenth century to protect the Salento peninsula from enemy invasions: Torre Cesarea, Torre Lapillo, Torre Chianca and Torre Castiglione; only some ruins remain of the latter as it was demolished during the Second World War.

MARTINA FRANCA

Known for the Valle d’Itria music festival, it stands on the southern slopes of the Murgia, on the border of the provinces of Taranto, Brindisi and Bari.

Until the Unification of Italy, the historic center of Martina Franca was closed by a wall, 12 square towers, 12 round towers and four entrance doors.

Currently the doors have lost their function of exclusive access into the city becoming sober and elegant arches. Of the ancient gates, only the upper stone rings that were used to hold the hinges of the massive doors are still preserved today.

OSTUNI

Also known as the White City, because fo its characteristic historic center that was once entirely painted with white lime, today only partially. Together with Taranto and Santa Maria di Leuca, it is one of the ideal summits of the Salento peninsula.

Renowned tourist center, in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 received the Blue Flag and the five sails of Legambiente for cleaning the waters of its coast and for the quality of services offered. Moreover, in 2005, the Puglia Region recognized the city as a “tourist resort”.