Otranto
A unique province
Have you ever heard of the province of Lecce? It is one of the most fascinating in Italy, and today I want to tell you a bit more about it! Located in Puglia, this province includes Salento and is the most eastern in Italy, bordered by the Adriatic Sea to the northeast and the Ionian Sea to the southwest. And do you know what's interesting? It is the only Puglian province that faces both seas! With a population of almost 770,000 inhabitants, it is the second most populated province in the region, after the metropolitan city of Bari.
The territory
The province of Lecce covers 2,759 square kilometers, making it the third largest in the region of Italy after the provinces of Foggia and the metropolitan city of Bari. The province is predominantly flat and part of Salento. To the north, we find the Salento plain, which is a vast and uniform lowland with powerful layers of red soil and no external watercourse due to the typical karst terrain that characterizes the region. This type of terrain has multiple sinkholes, called "vore" or "capoventi," which serve as collection points for rainfall that then feeds underground rivers. To the south are the modest hilly ridges of the Salentine Mountains, whose highest elevation reaches 196 meters above sea level in the Serra dei Cianci, located in the territory of Alessano.
The coastline of the province of Lecce is 222 kilometers long and is characterized by fine sand beaches and narrow coves interspersed with cliffs overlooking the sea. Along the southern Adriatic coast, there are numerous natural caves such as the famous Grotta Zinzulusa. Among other attractions, there are also the coastal basins of the Alimini Lakes (Alimini Grande and Alimini Piccolo), north of Otranto, and the marshy area of the Cesine. The area is fed by small streams such as Idume, Giammatteo, Brunese, and Idro (torrent) that are fed by freatic springs. Numerous reclamation basins extend into the hinterland of both coasts.
Orography
Although the province of Lecce does not have any real mountains, being predominantly flat, there are small hills that do not exceed 200 meters above sea level. The most important are the Salentine Mountains or Salento Murge, which represent the southern continuities of the Murge.
Among the most important reliefs are the Serra dei Cianci, with its 201 meters above sea level, Monte Sant'Eleuterio with its 198 meters, Serra di Montesardo with its 182 meters, Madonna della Serra with its 169 meters, La Serra with its 165 meters, Serra dei Peccatori with its 159 meters and Serra di Vereto with its 154 meters. Other important reliefs are Serra Magnone with its 151 meters, Monte Rotondo with its 148 meters, Serra Falitte with its 145 meters, Specchia Silva with its 145 meters, Serra Mucorone with its 139 meters, Monte Fiusco with its 135 meters, and Serra di Pozzo Mauro with its 132 meters.
The sea
The coastline of the province of Lecce is covered with lush Mediterranean vegetation and dense pine forests, making the landscape unique and spectacular. The fine sand beaches, coves, and cliffs overlooking the sea offer wonderful natural scenery. Don't miss the Grotta Zinzulusa, one of the most beautiful natural attractions in the area.
Conclusion
The province of Lecce is a jewel in Italy. With its unique location, the hills of the Salentine Mountains, beaches, and natural caves, it offers a wide range of natural landscapes and historical and cultural attractions. Spending time in the province of Lecce is an unforgettable experience. I hope that one day you can visit this wonderful place and discover it with your own eyes!
