Santa Maria di Leuca
The southernmost point of Italy's heel, where the Sanctuary of Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae and a towering lighthouse watch over the meeting of the Ionian and Adriatic Seas.
Santa Maria di Leuca lies at the southern tip of the Salento peninsula, once known to the ancients as 'the end of the earth' (de finibus terrae). On the headland stand the Sanctuary of Santa Maria and a lighthouse built in 1866, about 47 metres tall, which is one of Italy's most important lighthouses. Next to it is the monumental cascade of the Apulian Aqueduct, which is only opened on certain days. Down by the seafront are 19th-century Art Nouveau villas and a harbour. In summer you can take a boat tour past dozens of sea caves along both coasts and feel the meeting of the two seas. It is about 70 km from Lecce, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes by car.
Opening hours
Open all day; sanctuary about 7:00 am–12:00 pm and 3:00–7:00 pm
Nearby sights
- Ponte Ciolo
- Pescoluse
- Castro
- Grotta Zinzulusa
- Punta Palascia Lighthouse
- Bauxite Quarry Lake
- Aragonese Castle of Otranto
- Otranto Cathedral