PUNTA RISTOLA AND PUNTA MELISO
Punta Ristola and Punta Meliso are the two promontories that enclose the bay of Santa Maria di Leuca. They are two rocky peninsulas jutting out into the sea as if to protect the landing place that has welcomed sailors on the Mediterranean routes for millennia.
INDICE
WHAT IS THE ACTUAL POINT WHERE THE TWO SEAS, THE ADRIATIC AND THE IONIAN, DIVIDE?
The official border between the Ionian Sea and the Adriatic Sea is actually geographically represented by the Otranto Channel, but the spectacle of the embrace between the two seas is visible near Santa Maria di Leuca.
In the vicinity of Santa Maria di Leuca, near the promontory of Punta Meliso, the boundary between the Ionian and the Adriatic Sea is, on some days, clearly visible. It is all thanks to the different salinity of the water that brings a difference in colour that is perceptible even to the naked eye.
When weather conditions permit, the most beautiful natural border ever can be admired and photographed from here. Locals and tourists who have witnessed the encounter have confirmed that it is a marvellous sight.
THE CAVES OF PUNTA RISTOLA
Punta Ristola is also known as the access point for the so-called Devil’s Cave, a space that stretches 40 metres in length and 17 metres in width, leading directly to the sea. Important artefacts have been found inside the cave that suggest the presence of man in this place since the Neolithic period. The cave is located below ground level, is full of ravines, has poor lighting, and above all lends itself to rumbling noises; all of which suggested the current toponym to the common imagination.
Also at Punta Ristola is the Porcinara Cave, unlike the others, this one has been excavated by man and in antiquity was a place of worship, an ancient pagan temple, in fact, important inscriptions to pagan deities from the Messapian and Greek periods, but also Christian crosses, have been found inside.
From Punta Ristola, following the footpaths to the west, we find the other caves that are visible from above but can only be visited by boat:
La Grotta del fiume
Grotta delle Tre porte
La Grotta dei Giganti
La Grotta del Presepe
Grotta della Stalla
La Grotta del Drago
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SUNSET IN ITALY
The view from Punta Ristola is one of the most spectacular views of Marina di Leuca.
One of the most beautiful sunsets in Italy can be seen in Santa Maria di Leuca, exactly at Punta Ristola, one of the two promontories (jutting out to the west) that enclose the bay of the beautiful town, which is also famous for its countless archaeological discoveries in the recent past.
You can also choose to enjoy the sunset directly from the sea, thanks to a late afternoon boat trip with an aperitif on board.
Experience the sunset over the sea in the beautiful Salento on a 3-hour boat trip.
A local skipper will take you to discover the coast of Santa Maria di Leuca and its extraordinary natural caves on the Ionian and Adriatic sides. You can admire the suggestive Grotta Cazzafri, Grotta Terradico and Grotta del Diavolo and enjoy a dip and a swim in crystal-clear waters.
The tour also includes an aperitif on the boat with prosecco, soft drinks and taralli.
THE LEUCASIA LEGEND
Legend has it that in the waters off the promontory of Santa Maria di Leuca, lived the beautiful mermaid Leucร sia with her long blonde hair, snow-white skin and bewitching voice.
It seems that one day the Siren, upon seeing the comely shepherd boy Melissus, tried to seduce him with her song and beauty. Melissus, hopelessly in love with the aristocratic Arรฌstula, would not give in to her flattery and rejected her.
The Siren, enraged by the refusal, did not miss the opportunity to take revenge for the offence she had received and, some time later, when she saw the two lovers engaged in tender effusions on the cliff, she swirled her tails and unleashed a terrible storm. The two young people, swallowed by the waves, drowned and their bodies ended up on opposite sides of the bay.
THE MERCY OF THE GODDESS MINERVA
The Goddess Minerva, from above, pitying the sad story, decided to petrify the bodies of the two young men, who were transformed into what today are respectively Punta Meliso and Punta Ristola, which still today, without touching, embrace each other from opposite sides of the bay.
Even the Siren, destroyed by remorse, was petrified and turned into the city of Leuca.
Today, in memory of the legend, a sculptural monument depicting the Siren serves as the silent guardian of Leuca’s harbour.
