{"id":20932,"date":"2025-01-13T15:31:59","date_gmt":"2025-01-13T15:31:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/punta-meliso\/"},"modified":"2025-01-13T15:31:59","modified_gmt":"2025-01-13T15:31:59","slug":"punta-meliso","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/punta-meliso\/","title":{"rendered":"Punta Meliso"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Punta Meliso<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the extreme tip of Italy&#8217;s heel, is a place that is not easily forgotten. Here, where the sea of \u200b\u200bSanta Maria di Leuca meets the sky in an infinite embrace, you will feel like you are touching the roof of the world with a finger.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Crossroads of nature, history and legend, capable of fascinating travelers of all ages, <\/span><b>Punta Meliso<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is located in <\/span><b>Santa Maria di Leuca<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a location that for centuries was considered the end of the world, due to its position extreme.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is, in fact, the point where the <\/span><b>Ionian Sea<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><b>Adriatic Sea<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> meet in a play of currents that colors the water with infinite shades of blue and green, while the iconic white dominates the landscape with its 48 meters high, offering a total view of the open sea.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are looking for an unusual place to see in Salento, <\/span><b>Punta Meliso in Leuca<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is an excellent idea!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xUI8CkNw5r0?si=FXc7H470qzCaq-rs\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><strong>The legend of Punta Meliso\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><b>The history of Punta Meliso<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is shrouded in an aura of mystery and legend. Considered by the Romans the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">de finibus Terrae<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it represented the symbolic border between the known world and the unknown. Tradition has it that the apostle Peter landed there during his journey from Palestine to Rome, starting the Christianization of southern Italy. <\/span><b>The Basilica of Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, built on the ruins of an ancient pagan temple, is today a destination for numerous pilgrims.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like any magical place, Punta Meliso is linked to an ancient legend. It is said that its waters were inhabited by bewitching mermaids, including the beautiful Leucasia<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In love without being reciprocated by <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Melisso<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, betrothed to <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aristula<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Leucasia unleashed a terrible storm that overwhelmed them both. However, the goddess Minerva, moved by their fate, transformed the two young people into stone, creating the current Punta Ristola and Punta Meliso. 400;&#8221;>, which seem to stretch towards each other across the sea.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-19327\" src=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/punta-meliso-leuca.jpg\" alt=\"punta meliso leuca\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/punta-meliso-leuca.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/punta-meliso-leuca-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/punta-meliso-leuca-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/punta-meliso-leuca-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>The lighthouse of Santa Maria di Leuca<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Built in 1866 based on a design by Eng. <\/span><b>Achille Rossi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the lighthouse of Santa Maria di Leuca stands on a promontory about <\/span><b>102 meters above sea level<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, offering an extraordinary panoramic view. Its white tower, 48 meters high, is visible from kilometers away, a point of reference for all sailors for over a century.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The lantern has a diameter of 3 meters and rests on a 2-storey building which houses four accommodations, three for light operators and one for operational spaces. The <\/span><b>spiral staircase of 254 steps<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> allows you to reach the circular terrace, a panoramic point from which to admire the disarming beauty that surrounds Punta Meliso.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A few steps away, you can admire elegant nineteenth-century villas nestled along the coast. These residences, with their refined details and manicured gardens, evoke the charm of the Belle \u00c9poque, when <\/span><b>Santa Maria di Leuca<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was a luxury destination for the aristocracy. Walking along the seafront is an experience not to be missed, among romantic atmospheres and glimpses of rare beauty.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-19331\" src=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/punta-meliso.jpg\" alt=\"punta meliso\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/punta-meliso.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/punta-meliso-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/punta-meliso-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/punta-meliso-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Prices and opening times<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visiting <\/span><b>Punta Meliso<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is an accessible experience for all travellers. The visit has no costs and can be carried out in any season, an ideal location for a panoramic walk or for taking photographs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the tourist season, you can visit the Santa Maria di Leuca lighthouse, the second tallest in Europe and an iconic symbol of the area, by joining one of the <\/span><b>guided tours organized by the <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.leuca.info\/il-faro-di-santa-maria-di-leuca-il-secondo-piu-alto-deuropa\/#e8217_possibile_visitare_il_faro_di_leuca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Proloco Leuca<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Reservation is mandatory but open days are periodically organized to visit the lighthouse.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From the top of the lighthouse you can enjoy a spectacular view, where the two seas meet in a kaleidoscope of colours. Don&#8217;t miss this opportunity to completely immerse yourself in the beauty of <\/span><b>Punta Meliso in Santa Maria di Leuca<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-19329\" src=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/punta-meliso-santa-maria-di-leuca.jpg\" alt=\"punta meliso santa maria di leuca\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/punta-meliso-santa-maria-di-leuca.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/punta-meliso-santa-maria-di-leuca-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/punta-meliso-santa-maria-di-leuca-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/punta-meliso-santa-maria-di-leuca-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Punta Meliso, how to get there?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><b>Punta Meliso<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is located in the southernmost part of Puglia and reaching it is simple.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By car, follow the SS275 which ends right in Leuca. If you prefer public transport, buses connect the town with Lecce and other main cities in the region. In the summer period you can use the service <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.provincia.le.it\/salentoinbus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Salento by bus<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you arrive by plane, the closest airport is <\/span><b>Brindisi, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here it is best to rent a car.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-19333\" src=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/santa-maria-di-leuca.jpg\" alt=\"santa maria di leuca\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/santa-maria-di-leuca.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/santa-maria-di-leuca-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/santa-maria-di-leuca-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/santa-maria-di-leuca-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Activities to do in the area<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The things to do around <\/span><b>Punta Meliso in Santa Maria di Leuca<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are many and all unmissable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start with a visit to the lighthouse of <\/span><b>Santa Maria di Leuca<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, climb to the top to admire the point where the two seas meet. Next head to the Basilica of Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae, a place steeped in history, spirituality and art.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have chosen to visit the area because you love the sea, a boat trip is a must, as is <\/span><b>exploring the sea caves of Leuca<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Among the most famous are the <\/span><b>Devil&#8217;s Cave<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><b>Grotta del Soffio<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><b>Cave of the Three Doors<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, each with a unique charm and fascinating legends. And of course, don&#8217;t miss the opportunity to take a dip in the clear waters of the <\/span><b>sea of \u200b\u200bSanta Maria di Leuca<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where nature offers unforgettable scenery.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to take a break, the <\/span><b>belvedere<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the perfect place to spend the afternoon. Stroll along the coast, let yourself be lulled by the sea breeze and stop in one of the many welcoming local cafes or restaurants.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The gastronomic experience should not be underestimated and it becomes almost a duty to savor <\/span><b>typical dishes of the Apulian tradition<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, such as fresh homemade pasta with a fresh tomato sauce or freshly caught fish, prepared according to local recipes. Every bite tells of the deep connection with the culture of this region.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you happen to be in the right period, you could take part in one of the many festivals that celebrate the authentic flavors and traditions of the place, including music, dance and community. An authentic experience that will make you feel part of this corner of Puglia.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-19325\" src=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/faro-di-santa-maria-di-leuca.jpg\" alt=\"faro di santa maria di leuca\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/faro-di-santa-maria-di-leuca.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/faro-di-santa-maria-di-leuca-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/faro-di-santa-maria-di-leuca-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/faro-di-santa-maria-di-leuca-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Punta Meliso, the extreme tip of Italy&#8217;s heel, is a place that is not easily forgotten. Here, where the sea of \u200b\u200bSanta Maria di Leuca meets the sky in an infinite embrace, you will feel like you are touching the roof of the world with a finger.\u00a0 Crossroads of nature, history and legend, capable of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":19328,"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-20932","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\/20932","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=20932"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20932\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19328"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20932"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20932"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20932"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}