SANTA CESAREA TERME, Lecce, Apulia, South Italy

Towards the farthest point of Italy's heel, beyond Cap of Otranto where the Adriatic waters blend with the Ionian Sea, Santa Cesarea Terme rises vertically on the reefs facing a crystal-clear and blue sea.

Sheltered from cold winds by a barrier of small hills and heights in the Serra of Cerfignano, Santa Cesarea regularly enjoys for all the year long a temperate climate, almost springy-like in winter and fresh in summer, which grows mild thanks to a sea-breeze.

The air is sweet-smelling, rich in iodine and ozone coming from the sea which becomes rough owing to the winds.

For this reason Santa Cesarea is peopled also in winter by Italians and foreigners who need to restore their energies.

The Baths of Santa Cesarea, very well equipped for bathing and mud-bath treatments, inhalations and vaporizations, are rich in sulphur, sodium and chlorine containing waters as also in iodide and lithium-base waters with a temperature of about 30°.

The bath-muds which are produced on the bed of the thermal sources are mineral, sulphuric and radioactive ones. Baths and muds are recommended for different chronic, articular and rheumatic diseases and for any traumatic consequences of injuries or labour accidents.

The thermal unit is divided into three establishments: the "Terme Gattulla", the Terme della Grotta di Santa Cesarea and those of the Palace Hotel (Hotel Palazzo).

Between the Grotta Gattulla and that of Santa Cesarea a large swimming-pool was dug in the rock; it covers an area of about 1,000 square meters with a considerable depth, which draws the sea water from three moths.

This imposing work is completed with an amphitheatre consisting of porches and small columns between which the small rooms are situated. In the pool the sea water blends with that coming from the thermo-mineral sources.

The other bath called of the "Arches" is situated at the end of the promenade where the typical monoliths called "tagliate" appear from the waves with large streams of tufa which were changed by artificial cuts into a picturesque incomparable scenery.

The wonderful pine-wood which from the top of the tableland slopes down almost close to the built-up area contributes to make air healthier and the stay more pleasant.

A large balcony-belvedere was built on the woody top and an enchanting view can be enjoyed of the Promontory of Salento as far as the Cape of Santa Maria di Leuca.

Between Diso and Santa Cesarea Terme the most important Grottos of the Salento Coast can be found: many legends arose all around them.

The "Palombara", a shelter of undreds of woodpigeons; the "Zinzulusa", with the extraordinary stalagmite and stalactite formations and the indented laces of the entrance.

The name of the Grotto originates from a dialect word: "zinzuli" which means "fringes". In effect. the calcareous concretions lowering down from the vaults are like fringes.

The most renowned of all the grottos. is "Grotta Romanelli" where a few traces were found of the human presence since the Palaeolithic and up to the metal age.

The first peculiar graffiti were discovered in this grotto.

There, many remains of extraordinary disappeared animals from a warm fauna were found.

This included the elephant, the rhinoceros and the hippopotamus together with some species of the cold fauna which included: the steinbock and the featherless auk, also called boreal penguin, an almost featherless bird incapable of flying.

From Santa Cesarea, going through the most beautiful itinerary of the Salento Coast, these places can be visited: San Foca, the area of the Lakes Alimini, Porto Badisco, Castro, Tricase, Marina and Serra, Novaglie, Otranto, Leuca