Melendugno
Welcome to Melendugno: an overview of the city
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about Melendugno, a municipality of 10,034 inhabitants located in the province of Lecce in Puglia, in the center-east of Salento. The city is located between Lecce and Otranto and is an important agricultural center. But what attracts many visitors to Melendugno are its beautiful seaside resorts along the coast of the Salento Adriatic Sea: Torre Specchia Ruggeri, San Foca, Roca Vecchia, Torre dell'Orso, Torre Saracena, and Sant'Andrea. The city is surrounded by incredible nature and a unique cultural heritage, making it a perfect destination for an unforgettable vacation.
Let's discover the territory of Melendugno
Melendugno is located inland southeast of Lecce and is 6.5 km away from the Adriatic Sea. The municipal territory extends over an area of 91.03 km² and borders to the north with the municipality of Vernole, to the east with the Adriatic Sea, to the south with the municipality of Otranto, and to the west with the municipalities of Carpignano Salentino and Calimera. The city includes the populous fraction of Borgagne.
The city overlooks the sea with a coastline of over 15 km, characterized by small beaches, coves, dunes, bays, and the presence of flat islets and sea stacks. Here, the pleasantness and beauty of the landscape blend together, creating an unforgettable atmosphere, and from the coasts of Melendugno, you can see with the naked eye the island of Saseno and the mountainous reliefs of Albania. Along the Melendugno coast, you can admire the typical Mediterranean vegetation, beautiful natural landscapes, and the sunset over the sea.
Not to be missed are the sea resorts of Melendugno, which have obtained the Blue Flag every year from 2010 to 2018: San Foca, Torre Specchia Ruggeri, Roca, and Sant'Andrea. These places are characterized by perfect weather and crystal-clear water.
Origins and meaning of the name
According to legend, Malennio founded Syrbar, where Roca Vecchia now stands, which means City of the Sun, as well as Lyppiae (now Lecce) and Rudiae. Over time, the toponym of Melendugno became Malandugno (bearer of misfortune) and then, finally, Melendugno (bearer of sweetness). Another theory concerns the name of the bee and the production of honey in the Melendugno territory; honey is, in fact, called "mele" in the local dialect.
A brief history of Melendugno
The first inhabited traces in the Melendugno territory date back to the Bronze Age. Two dolmens, Placa and Gurgulante, can be found in the immediate countryside of the municipality towards Calimera. The first real city was formed in Roca Vecchia, frequented since prehistory. It arose as a fortified city already in the 15th century BC-11th century BC Rebuilt by the Messapian populations in the 4th century BC-3rd century BC, whose name seems to have been "Thuria Sallentina", was abandoned in Roman times and inhabited again in the high Middle Ages by hermits living in some caves carved into the limestone.
Conclusions
Melendugno is a lovely tourist destination, perfect for an unforgettable vacation. Here, you can enjoy the hospitality and beauty that only Salento can offer: from the coast with the beauty of nature and the sunset over the sea to the sea resorts of San Foca, Torre dell'Orso, Torre Specchia Ruggeri, Roca Vecchia, and Sant'Andrea. In short, Melendugno is waiting for you to spend a pleasant and peaceful vacation.
