Porto Cesareo
Discovering Porto Cesàreo
Hello friends! This time I want to take you on a journey to discover Porto Cesàreo, a beautiful tourist destination in Salento located on the Ionian Sea of the Salento peninsula. You may often hear about this town of 6194 inhabitants in the province of Lecce in Puglia, but why not get to know its natural wonders better?
Physical geography
Territory
The municipal territory covers an area of 34.66 km² and borders to the north with the towns of Manduria and Avetrana in Taranto, to the east and south with the town of Nardò, and to the west with the Ionian Sea. The long coastline, mostly sandy, preserves coastal dunes, wetlands, cliffs, and islets that host different species of flora and fauna. There are some particularly suggestive islands, such as the Isola Grande (or Conigli Island) covered with Aleppo pines and acacias, and the Isola della Malva. The sea of Porto Cesàreo is particularly renowned for its rich seabed vegetation and marine fauna. In 1997, the Porto Cesareo Protected Marine Area was established to protect this natural heritage.
Climate
The climate of Porto Cesàreo is Mediterranean, with hot, humid, and dry summers and mild and windy winters. Precipitation mainly occurs in autumn and winter.
History
Porto Cesàreo has a very ancient history that dates back to the Roman Empire when it was called "Portus Sasinae." Over the centuries, it underwent various transformations and fell into decay due to pirate raids and the marshy area until the arrival, around the year one thousand, of some Basilian monks who built an abbey there which they used until the fifteenth century. During the domination of the Orsini del Balzo, princes of Taranto, and the Acquaviva, dukes of Nardò, the town grew as a port for trading oil and wheat with Sicily and later also with the maritime republics. During that period, the Cesarea Tower, a watchtower used to defend against attacks by enemies coming from the sea, was built.
Places of interest
Porto Cesareo Protected Marine Area
The Porto Cesareo Protected Marine Area offers the visitor an authentic experience of immersion in the beauty of nature. You can enjoy spectacular views among islands, dunes, lagoons, and cliffs. The biodiversity of the territory, with the submerged meadow of Posidonia Oceanica, the colorful coral, and the marine fauna, will leave you speechless.
Palude del Conte and Duna Costiera - Porto Cesareo Regional Nature Reserve
Nature lovers cannot miss the Palude del Conte and Duna Costiera - Porto Cesareo Regional Nature Reserve. This wetland area composed of lagoons, canals, dunes, and Mediterranean vegetation offers a great diversity of flora and fauna, including different species of birds.
Cesarea Tower
The Cesarea Tower is a watchtower built in the fifteenth century. It was used for defense against pirate raids. It is located on the coast between Porto Cesàreo and Torre Lapillo and can be visited.
Historic center
The historic center of Porto Cesàreo is very suggestive with its cobbled streets and historic buildings. Inside its walls, you can discover the traditions and customs of the place.
What to eat
Porto Cesàreo offers the opportunity to taste the delicacies of Salento cuisine such as orecchiette with fish, fresh seafood, local legumes, and vegetables. Don't miss out on trying the "impanate," a kind of calzone filled with meat, potatoes, onions, and spices.
I am sure that you will be enchanted by the natural landscapes and history of Porto Cesàreo. I can't wait to hear what you think!
