Salve
Welcome to Salve!
Hello everyone! Today I will tell you about Salve, a small town in the province of Lecce in Puglia, with approximately 4,500 inhabitants. The name of the town comes from the Salento dialect and means "safe", probably indicating the safe place where sailors could take refuge from storms.
Physical geography
Territory
Salve is located on the Ionian coast of Lower Salento and boasts a coastline that has been awarded the Blue Flag since 2009 for the quality of its waters and services. The municipality's territory covers around 32.8 sq km and includes the hamlet of Ruggiano and the marinas of Marina di Pescoluse, Torre Pali, Posto Vecchio and Lido Marini. The town is located on the modest hills of the Salento mountains, at 130 m above sea level, while the municipal territory extends from 0 up to 165 m above sea level.
The hinterland of Salve is characterized by gentle undulations, including a wide canal called Canale dei Fani, where olive groves and Mediterranean vegetation grow. The coastal strip, once marshy, was reclaimed in the 1930s through the creation of canals and artificial basins. The Salve coast is characterized by a stretch of white, fine sand, surrounded by dunes covered with various plant species and the characteristic sea lilies.
Climate
Salve has a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and hot and humid summers. Based on reference averages, the average temperature of the coldest month, January, is around +17°C, while that of the hottest month, August, is around +28.3°C. The average annual rainfall is around 321 mm and presents a minimum in spring-summer and a peak in autumn-winter.
History
Salve has a long history that begins in the Messapic era and continues with the passage of the Romans and Byzantines. In the Middle Ages, it was a fief of the Counts of Lecce and underwent numerous vicissitudes from the late 15th century, with the Aragonese domination, until the unification of Italy.
The town shows us many testimonies of the past, such as the Aragonese castle, the main church dedicated to the Madonna del Rosario, and the chapel of the Madonna di Vereto.
Culture and Traditions
Salve is a municipality that is very active from a cultural point of view. Every year, events range from music to gastronomy, from theater to dance. One of the most anticipated events is certainly the "sagra della Puccia", a typical Salento bread stuffed with various ingredients.
Traditions are still very much felt in the town and can be discovered during religious festivals or more virtuous events.
What to do in Salve
In Salve, many outdoor activities can be done, such as walks among the vineyards and olive groves, or bike excursions. For lovers of the sea, there are numerous beaches where you can relax and enjoy the crystal-clear water.
For those who prefer culture, Salve offers numerous attractions such as the castle and the main church.
Conclusion
Salve is a municipality that is definitely worth visiting, both for its history and for the beauty of its landscapes. If you have the opportunity to pass by these parts, don't miss a stop in Salve, I assure you that you won't regret it!
