Porto Cesareo
Bathing resort indicated with three sails in Guida Blu di Legambiente, presents a territory characterized as a small peninsula; extends on about 20 km of coast, washed by the Ionic sea, limpid and crystalline that offers it a tropical charm. The antique fish men village, developed in the modern age around Torre Cesarea (fortification desired by the emperor Carlo V) affirms itself more and more as a bathing resort and cultural centre
The natural ambient still preserved recalls about 90.000 tourists per year, and among these many scuba divers due to the protected marine Area, bathers and lovers of am exotic and charming sea; a paradise characterized by very white dunes, crystalline sea and the warm sun of Puglia.
Historical notes
Certainly all the Astrea coast, till Torre Lapillo, during the roman domination, had to carry out a remarkable harbour role. At the beginning of 1500 the harbour and the emporium have become a reference point for the oil and wheat trade towards the great Maritime Republics of that time, as it was before towards Sicily. Also in that period was initiated the construction, as a defence against the enemies coming from the sea, of the important “Torre Cesarea” and all the other coasty towers of which is still rich the Ionic Salento coastal strip.
With the reclamation of the Arneo, during the fascist period, the demographic growth has developed fast and constantly. The centre, by then called Porto Cesareo, became the aim of the external qualified manpower.
In the same time the first bathing tourism started to manifest, while the habitat, at first concentrated on the trait of coast, was developing also towards the inland. Today Porto Cesareo is a famous bathing resort, thanks to its 17 km of golden beach and very clear water, faced by an archipelago of small islands rich in vegetation and fauna counting very rare species, so that it became one of the 20 protected marine areas in Italy.
Monuments to visit
Santa Cesarea Church
Santa Cesarea Church, also called The Small Church, is located in front of the isle called Lo Scoglio. The church goes up to the XVIIIth century and presents a sober and devoid of decorative and relevant architectural elements. The church is a pilgrimage and religious tourism premise the day of Santa Cesarea (end of August) when the statue, after the normal tour in the sea, is exhibited there.
The Marine Biology Station
Porto Cesareo, thanks to its “natural harbour” overlooking to the Big Isle, also called the Rabbits Island is one of the most beautiful places on the Salento coast. The backgrounds present a characteristic subtropical ambient with associations of very particular animals, typical of the warm seas. The integrity of the backgrounds is witnessed by the recent sight of some young specimens of Caretta Caretta turtles, that by now is a rarity in the peninsular Italy.
In the neighbourhoods
Manduria: a few kilometres away from Porto Cesareo, is a bathing resort marked with one sail in the Guida Blu di Legambiente. Among the monuments to visit there we can list Fonte Pliniano, the Romanesque dome (better known as Mother Church), the medieval ghetto and the marchese palace, residence of the princes of the Imperial family of 1719. Also to visit the archaeological park, the messapic walls, the necropolis and the whole historic centre of the town.
Other communes to visit in the neighbourhood: Avetrana and Nardò.
How to reach Porto Cesareo
By Car:
Motorway till Bari, exit Bari Nord, highway for Lecce. Follow the SS n. 101 Lecce-Gallipoli, with deviation at Nardò. From here proceed for the SS n. 174 towards Porto Cesareo. The coast can also be reached from the inside along the littoral street connecting Taranto with Gallipoli.
by Train:
Railway station of Lecce (30 Km away from Porto Cesareo, line Bologna-Lecce). From the bus station to Porto Cesareo (www.salentoinbus.it - www.stplecce.it)
By Bus:
There are direct connections from Bari, Napoli, Roma, Milano and Torino to Lecce. From Lecce local bus service (www.salentoinbus.it - www.stplecce.it)
By Plain:
"Casale"Airport in Brindisiwww.salentoinbus.it - www.stplecce.it)
"Palese" Airport in Bari (192 Km away from Lecce)Shuttle service from Bari Palese Airport till the railway Station in Bari: connections from 05.35 until 23.15 ( 25 minutes). From Bari station, only railway connections for the city of Lecce.