Traveling through the Salento countryside, to the east where the sun rises, when the vegetation begins to show us its proximity to the sea, among the wild rosemary, rushes and expanses of feathery fairy flax here we come to a quiet, small fishing community, we are in Torre Sant"Andrea in the municipality of Melendugno, 30 kilometers from Lecce and 15 kilometers 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 most famous 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 evolution and change. The Faraglioni of Sant"Andrea rise from the sea just a few meters from the shore and are a spectacle of nature in different shapes; some look like huge columns, others like unusual geometric shapes covered in the green Mediterranean scrub, but the most popular of all, the absolute princess is the one in the shape of a round arch, it looks like the entrance to a Romanesque-style church, a beauty of nature called the Lovers" Arch, and there will be a reason for it. Taking a swim under this marvelous arch in the cool, transparent waters of this corner of paradise perhaps represents the high point of your vacation in Salento; access to the sea is safely guaranteed by a concrete ladder that is just a few steps away from this beautiful rock, the so-called Scala de lu Bastimentu: a legend says that a shipload of grain ran aground between these inlets and the locals opened a gap between the rocks to recover the precious cargo. Several other accesses to the sea can still be found at different points, moreover the path above the coast, among the fragrant vegetation and unspoiled nature will allow you to admire this splendid landscape in all its complexity. The Faraglioni of St. Andrew are a unique spectacle, experiencing these enchanted places live is like traveling first class in the most luxurious of private jets, a free wonder of nature an enchantment for your vacation and your spirit.
Last Updated: 08/09/2022, Tonio Viva
