| At the southern border of the Salento peninsula, Santa Maria di Leuca preserves one of the most important lighthouses in Italy (102 meter high), built in 1864. Legend tells us that Saint Peter stopped here on his way to Rome, so that the temple previously dedicated to goddess Minerva was turned into a Christian church: the Sanctuary of the Madonna de Finibus Terrae, later upgraded to a Basilica in 1990. The coastline stretching from Punta Meliso to Punta della Ristola is dotted with inlets and grottoes rich with ancient Greek and Latin inscriptions, like the Porcinara Grotto, and of Neolithic findings as we find in the Devil’s Grotto. Leuca maintains the rhythm of times gone-by. Several villas of different styles and epochs embellish its seashore promenade: true masterpieces designed by late 19th century architects experimenting with the most varied styles, drawing inspiration from the Far East, the Arab world, the Pompeian and Gothic taste. | | | | |
|
