Nardò
Discovering Nardò: A Treasure of Salento
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk about Nardò, a beautiful city in the province of Lecce, in Puglia. With a population of 30,761 inhabitants, Nardò has been recognized as a city since 1952. Located on a flat position southwest of Lecce, Nardò offers a fantastic stretch of coast on the Ionian Sea in Salento.
Physical Geography
The territory of Nardò covers an area of 190.48 km² and is located in the northwestern part of the province of Lecce. The city is located at 45 m above sea level and the highest altitude reached in the municipal area is 99 m above sea level. The northern part of the municipal territory is included in the Terra d'Arneo, while the coastal strip, which extends for 22 km, includes the seaside resorts of Santa Maria al Bagno, Santa Caterina and Sant'Isidoro and hosts the Porto Selvaggio and Palude del Capitano Regional Nature Park. The rocky and rugged coastline is characterized by pine forests, Mediterranean vegetation, and wetlands.
Climate
The climate of Nardò is Mediterranean with continental influences. Winters are mild and humid, while summers are hot, muggy and dry. Precipitation is concentrated mainly in the winter and autumn period and amounts to around 522 mm of annual rainfall.
Origin of the Name
The name "Nardò" probably derives from the term "nar", which means jet of water. Indeed, the civic coat of arms represents a jet of water. From the term "nar" came the Greek word "Nerìton" and, subsequently, the Latin "Neritum" or "Neretum".
History
Like the entire province of Lecce, Nardò has ancient origins linked to prehistory. In the caves of the Uluzzo Bay, engravings and other archaeological elements have been discovered so important as to make us think that they are the first manifestations of figurative art in Europe, cataloged in the Middle and Upper Paleolithic.
For centuries, Nardò was an important Byzantine center and from 1497 it passed under the dominion of the Acquaviva Ducal family. The historic center is rich in Baroque architecture of Lecce, with many buildings and churches to visit.
Things to Do in Nardò
If you decide to visit Nardò, you cannot miss a walk in the historic center to admire Lecce's Baroque architecture. The most important churches include the Church of Santa Maria della Purità and the Church of San Domenico. Worth a visit is also the Palazzo del Principe, home to the Ethnographic Museum of Salento.
If you love the sea, you cannot miss the coast of Nardò with its white sandy beaches and cliffs overlooking the crystal-clear sea. Among the most famous seaside resorts are Santa Maria al Bagno, Santa Caterina, and Sant'Isidoro.
What to Eat in Nardò
There is no visit to Salento that can be considered complete without having tasted the typical dishes of Puglia's cuisine. In Nardò, you will find many restaurants and trattorias where you can taste local specialties such as orecchiette with turnip tops, stuffed peppers, eggplant Parmigiana, and fresh fish.
Don't miss the opportunity to taste a delicious artisanal ice cream in the numerous ice cream parlors in the city.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are looking for a place to spend a vacation dedicated to relaxation, culture and good food, Nardò is definitely a destination not to be missed. Come and discover the beauties of Salento and let yourself be enchanted by the beauty of this fantastic city.
