{"id":20772,"date":"2024-10-23T19:36:51","date_gmt":"2024-10-23T19:36:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia\/"},"modified":"2024-10-23T19:36:51","modified_gmt":"2024-10-23T19:36:51","slug":"area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia\/","title":{"rendered":"Area archeologica di Roca Vecchia"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Located on a small peninsula along the Salento coast between Otranto and San Foca, the<\/span><b>archaeological area of \u200b\u200bRoca Vecchia<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is a true jewel that combines the breathtaking beauty of the sea with a rich historical heritage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you set foot here you immediately perceive that you are treading a terrain steeped in legends, mysteries and fascinating discoveries. It is the perfect place for those who love to immerse themselves in history and want an authentic experience away from the most beaten tourist routes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IwXoU8B-OJ8?si=ayKyrd_Rd2UiputY\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Information on the Archaeological Area of \u200b\u200bRoca Vecchia<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Roca Vecchia in Puglia<\/strong> represents<strong>one of the most important<\/strong><\/span><strong>archaeological sites<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>of Salento<\/strong>, a meeting point between the region and the Balkan and Aegean populations. Here, stratifications of settlements dating back to the Bronze Age have been brought to light.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The strategic position on the coast has made this place a focal point for trade and relations between Mediterranean civilizations. The importance of Roca was already known in the second millennium BC, a period in which the construction of two fortified cities can be traced back.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, walking through the excavations of the archaeological area of \u200b\u200bRoca Vecchia, you can see traces of ancient fortifications, homes and streets that tell stories of populations who lived here millennia ago.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-18615\" src=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia-2.jpg\" alt=\"area archeologica di roca vecchia (2)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia-2.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia-2-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>History of Roca Vecchia\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The importance of <\/span><b>Roca Vecchia<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is due to its long and varied history. The first traces of life here date back to the Neolithic period, when the area was establishing itself as an important center for trade.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over the centuries, different cultures have followed one another in Roca, from the Messapians to the Romans, up to the Normans. Each era has left its mark and the vast archaeological area of \u200b\u200bRoca Vecchia<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a mosaic of finds that testify to the evolution of this area over time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Among the most relevant discoveries, the <\/span><b>archaeological excavations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have brought to light an impressive system of defensive fortifications dating back to the Bronze Age. Furthermore, the findings of homes and necropolises make Roca Vecchia a site of great importance for archeology enthusiasts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-18619\" src=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia.jpg\" alt=\"area archeologica di roca vecchia\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Roca Vecchia, what to see<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Visiting the archaeological area of<\/strong> <\/span><b>Roca Vecchia<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is like taking a step back in time. If you want a more complete experience, consider the option of <\/span><b>guided tours<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Local guides will accompany you through the excavations, telling you anecdotes and curiosities that you might otherwise miss, such as the monumental walls dating back to the Middle Bronze period, the Messapian burials, the remains of the castle and the medieval church.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Roca Vecchia it is possible to admire one of the largest masonry works ever seen, namely the large <\/span><b>Monumental Gate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, approximately 10 meters high.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>You can book visits in Italian or English<\/strong> and many of the guides are deeply connected to the area, so they will also give you a genuine love for this place.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-18617\" src=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia-mare.jpg\" alt=\"area archeologica di roca vecchia mare\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia-mare.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia-mare-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia-mare-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia-mare-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Prices and opening times for the archaeological area of \u200b\u200bRoca Vecchia<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Access to the<\/span><b>archaeological area of \u200b\u200bRoca Vecchia<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in summer is subject to a fee, but the prices are very accessible, which makes the visit perfect also for families or groups of friends.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tickets for adults cost around <\/span><b>3 euros<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and include a short guided tour, as well as access to the famous <\/span><b>Grotta della Poesia<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Children and seniors can enjoy special discounts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the summer months the <strong>archaeological area is open every day from 9:00 to 19:00,<\/strong> but it is always a good idea to check the updated opening times.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18613\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18613\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18613\" src=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/prezzi-area-archeologica-roca-vecchia.jpg\" alt=\"prezzi area archeologica roca vecchia\" width=\"800\" height=\"1200\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/prezzi-area-archeologica-roca-vecchia.jpg 800w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/prezzi-area-archeologica-roca-vecchia-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/prezzi-area-archeologica-roca-vecchia-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/prezzi-area-archeologica-roca-vecchia-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18613\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Prices for the Roca Vecchia archaeological area with guided tour<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Where it is and how to get there<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Roca Vecchia is located in the municipality of <\/span><b>Melendugno<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, on the Adriatic coast of <\/span><b>Puglia<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, about 25 kilometers from Lecce. If you are traveling by car, we recommend following the SS16 to Melendugno and then continuing along the SP366 towards the coast. The journey is pleasant, dotted with olive groves and rural landscapes typical of Salento.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For those who prefer public transport, there are seasonal buses from the company<a href=\"https:\/\/www.provincia.le.it\/salentoinbus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Salento by Bus<\/a>, which connect Lecce to the main towns on the coast, including Roca Vecchia, especially in the summer months.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you arrive, you will be greeted by the sight of the crystal clear sea and ancient ruins set against the blue sky.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>If you travel by car, you can take advantage of the parking (for a fee in the summer months) right in front of the archaeological area.<\/p>\n<h3>Grotta della Poesia archaeological site<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When we talk about Roca Vecchia we cannot fail to mention the <\/span><b>archaeological site Grotta della Poesia<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is just a few steps away and absolutely worth a visit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This natural swimming pool is one of the most famous in Italy and has an elliptical shape. Formed by ancient karst caves, <strong>it is considered one of the most beautiful in the world<\/strong>. The name is said to derive from a legend that a princess came here to bathe and, inspired by her beauty, local poets composed verses for her.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, the Grotta della Poesia is a magical place to visit after a visit to discover the<\/span><b>archaeological area of \u200b\u200bRoca Vecchia<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is not possible to bathe in the Cave of Poetry and, in order not to accelerate the corrosion process and limit visits, an access ticket has been introduced in summer, combined with a visit to the archaeological area.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18621\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18621\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18621\" src=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia-grotta-della-poesia.jpg\" alt=\"area archeologica di roca vecchia grotta della poesia\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia-grotta-della-poesia.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia-grotta-della-poesia-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia-grotta-della-poesia-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia-grotta-della-poesia-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18621\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Archaeological area of \u200b\u200bRoca Vecchia Grotta della Poesia &#8211; Photo by Ilaria Rizzo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>What to do around Roca Vecchia<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After having explored the excavations and admired the splendid Grotta della Poesia, we recommend you take advantage of the privileged position of <\/span><b>Roca Vecchia<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to discover the wonders of the Salento coast. A few minutes&#8217; drive away you will find some of the most beautiful beaches in Puglia, such as <\/span><b>Torre dell&#8217;Orso and San Foca<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Here you can relax on the golden sand or take a dip in the crystal clear waters.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are a snorkelling lover, the waters around Roca Vecchia offer seabeds rich in marine life, with colorful fish and rock formations that make every dive an adventure. For the more active, there are also several possibilities to go cycling along the coast or <strong>participate in boat, kayak and canoe trips<\/strong> to discover the caves in the area.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, few know of the presence of a <strong>second cave in the area<\/strong>, a few meters from the best-known one, not easily accessible. If you want to visit it, trust those who organize <strong>guided kayak excursions<\/strong> and dive into the history and curiosities of this wonder.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18623\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18623\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18623\" src=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/grotta-della-poesia-area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia.jpg\" alt=\"grotta della poesia area archeologica di roca vecchia\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/grotta-della-poesia-area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/grotta-della-poesia-area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/grotta-della-poesia-area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/grotta-della-poesia-area-archeologica-di-roca-vecchia-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18623\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Archaeological area of \u200b\u200bRoca Vecchia Grotta della Poesia &#8211; Photo by Ilaria Rizzo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Roca Vecchia beach<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After a morning wandering around the excavations of Roca Vecchia, you will surely want to spend a few hours relaxing on the beach. Fortunately, the location offers some small sandy, rocky bays and hidden coves where you can spread out your towel and enjoy the Apulian sun. The best-known beaches of Roca Vecchia are: Pascariello Beach, Zolfara Inlet, Punta Sapone Beach, Portulignu Beach, &#8216;Nfocaciucci Beach.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Located on a small peninsula along the Salento coast between Otranto and San Foca, thearchaeological area of \u200b\u200bRoca Vecchiais a true jewel that combines the breathtaking beauty of the sea with a rich historical heritage.\u00a0 When you set foot here you immediately perceive that you are treading a terrain steeped in legends, mysteries and fascinating [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":18616,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_glsr_average":0,"_glsr_ranking":0,"_glsr_reviews":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20772","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-attractions"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20772","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20772"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20772\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18616"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20772"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20772"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20772"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}