Travelling through the Salento countryside, to the east where the sun rises, when the vegetation begins to show its closeness to the sea, amidst the wild rosemary, rushes and expanses of feathery fairy flax, we come to a quiet little fishing community, we are in Torre Sant"Andrea in the municipality of Melendugno, 30 kilometres from Lecce and 15 kilometres from Otranto. This locality, which takes its name from an ancient 16th-century coastal tower, in addition to the small town, the presence of a beautiful inlet with a small golden beach and the crystal-clear blue sea, is famous above all for its Faraglioni, these characteristic rock formations that emerge from the sea and seem to have been artfully designed by a famous architect are instead the result of a natural process through centuries of geological evolutions and changes. The Faraglioni di Sant"Andrea rise out of the sea just a few metres from the shore and are a spectacle of nature in a variety of forms; some look like huge columns, others like unusual geometric shapes covered in the green Mediterranean maquis, but the most popular of all, the absolute princess, is the one in the shape of a round arch, looking like the entrance to a Romanesque church, a beauty of nature called the Arco degli Innamorati, and there must be a reason for this. Going for a swim under this marvellous arch in the cool, transparent waters of this corner of paradise is perhaps the highlight of your holiday in Salento. Access to the sea is guaranteed in complete safety by a concrete staircase just a few steps away from this splendid rock, the so-called Scala de lu Bastimentu: legend has it that a shipload of grain ran aground between these inlets and the locals opened a passage through the rocks to recover the precious cargo. Several other accesses to the sea can be found at different points, and the path above the coast, among the fragrant vegetation and unspoilt nature, will allow you to admire this splendid landscape in all its complexity. The Faraglioni di Sant"Andrea are a unique spectacle, experiencing these enchanted places live is like travelling first class in the most luxurious of private jets, a free wonder of nature an enchantment for your holiday and your spirit.
Last update: 08/09/2022, Tonio Viva
