The Salento is a marvellous land, kilometres of coastline from west to east all with their own specific characteristics, ranging from golden beaches with high dunes covered in Mediterranean maquis to steep cliffs falling sheer to the sea, from the crystal-clear water that characterises much of this area to the beautiful inlets, bays or tiny gulfs that enclose the beauty of an enchanting landscape. The last described features include Castro Marina, a pretty town on the south-eastern side of the Salento, overlooking the imposing Adriatic Sea. This stretch of coastline seems like a graceful embroidery executed by Mother Nature. The blue of the waters is reflected in the ravines and sea caves that characterise this place, and one of them, the Grotta Palombara, a typical example of a sea cave, deserves our full attention. Grotta Palombara can be reached by swimming or by the various boats that organise excursions during the summer season. This cave is very wide and deep, as is the sea that surrounds it, and was formed over the centuries following the collapse of the walls above. The typical green of the Mediterranean maquis outlines the upper parts, while the entrance looks almost like that of a theatre with curtains tied up to delimit the entrance (in fact, it is not for nothing that it is also called Cave with Curtains). The name Grotta Palombara is said to derive from the fact that pigeons (palombi in the local dialect) would have found the right environment for nesting in the past, thanks mainly to the presence of freshwater springs dripping from the walls. Today, this cave is one of the many tourist destinations in the beautiful Castro Marina; for snorkelling enthusiasts, the seabed is ideal for exploring the various inlets or admiring the beautiful play of light reflected between the cracks of this characteristic reef. Positive sensations, the freshness of a beautiful sea, the sun that burns and warms our emotions in summer - what more could you ask from a holiday... the Grotta Palombara is in Castro Marina... enjoy your stay.
Last update: 12/12/2022, Tonio Viva
