The 'Terra d'Otranto' can still be considered an island of Greek culture and many monuments and popular traditions from Hellenistic civilisation are still with us, but today the city of Otranto is predominantly medieval in aspect.

Following the coast, the next stop is S.Cesarea Terme famed for its important curative mineral waters, but also the architectural beauty of its eclectic (arabeggiante) buildings or Palazzi.

A little further on is the grotto of “Zinzulusa”. It was so called after the similarity of the stalactites and stalagmites to wripped cloth, called locally 'zinzuli'.

The town of Castro is divided in two. “Castro superiore” is what remains of its ancient splendour, such as the Byzantine cathedral and the four towers of the walls which once protected the interior, while “Castro marina” is notable for its houses collected together in the smallest of areas.

Tricase has a splendid historical center but is also home to the "quercia vallonea", a tree typical of the flora of Salento and which once formed huge forests. Take a close look at one 600 year old specimen known as "la quercia dei 100 cavalieri" or 'oak of the 100 knights'.

Carrying on south you will reach Marina di Novaglie, a resort sitting at the mouth of what can only be described as a fiord. Many small caverns dot the coast as far as Canale del Ciolo, so called for the presence of crows, known locally as "ciole".

Finally, S. Maria di Leuca, the point which marks the border of the Ionic and Adriatic seas. Do visit the Sanctuary dedicated to S. Maria and known as the "de finibus terree" or 'the end of the world'.

There is an affinity with a similar sanctuary in Normandy in France. Popular belief suggests a pilgrimage to both will facilitate a passage into Paradise.