Scoglio il Tafaluro
The Adriatic coast of Salento presents many surprises all to be discovered; let us first of all dispel that cliché that the most beautiful beaches are on the Ionian Sea side while on the Adriatic Sea side they are all cliffs, it is a mental competition from which I gladly shy away in making a judgment of merit and taste. The Adriatic coast also offers expanses of soft, golden beaches, but if we broaden the horizon and analyze this particular stretch of coastline we realize how wonderfully beautiful and rich this land is in its complexity of terrain, both from a naturalistic point of view, and for its hidden coves including impervious cliffs. Certainly the most interesting area from the point of view of unspoiled nature, and the deep blue represented by the immensity of the Adriatic Sea is found in the territory of Melendugno, a marina that has been awarded several times by Blue Flags for the clarity of its waters and the quality of sustainable tourism. Off the bay of Sant"Andrea, a small hamlet in the municipality of Melendugno, we find the Tafaluro rock, the so-called Sphinx of Salento; as we stroke closer to this beautiful rock we immediately notice that no master stonemason could actually have sculpted this spectacle of nature, indeed we are amazed and perplexed at how over time this rock formation has been masterfully shaped by the waves of the sea and the various atmospheric events that have contributed to the formation of this beautiful stacks. The rock of Tafaluro stands in a crystal clear blue sea, take advantage of it for a regenerating swim and equipped with fins and masks you will discover a seabed rich in fish, hidden coves, small caves that are crossed by beautiful beams of light, in a play of wonderful effects and colors. The beauty of this land is represented by the fact that it knows how to offer the traveler who decides to visit it different points of interest, and you never stop discovering and marveling at the spectacle of nature with its manifestations and scents that characterize much of Salento. If you pass through these areas, don"t forget to take a refreshing dip for a dutiful salute to the Tafaluro rock...have a good vacation.
Tonio Viva
