Shells and Salento: From the Sea to the Stone, Between Fossils and Architecture
Salento, a land of crystal clear sea and enchanting beaches, is also a paradise for shell lovers. Its coasts, both Ionian and Adriatic, are rich in these small natural jewels, evidence of the marine biodiversity and geological history of the region. However, shells are not only found along the beaches, but have historically been used in Salento architecture and are often embedded in the local tuff in the form of fossils. Furthermore, the maritime tradition of Salento has made them protagonists of local craftsmanship and culture. In this article, we will explore the most common shells of Salento, the best places to find them, their use in architecture and the connection with the museums dedicated to these natural wonders.
The Shells of Salento: Varieties and Characteristics
The beaches of Salento offer a great variety of shells, each with its own unique characteristics:
Tellines (Donax trunculus) – Small and thin, they are among the most common shells along the sandy coast of the Ionian, particularly in Porto Cesareo and Torre Lapillo.
Sea scallops (Pecten jacobaeus) – With their characteristic fan shape, they are often found among the sand dunes.
Sea olives (Oliva oliva) – With their elongated and smooth shape, they are among the most appreciated by collectors.
Murex (Bolinus brandaris) – One of the most fascinating, with its thorny structure, once used for the production of purple.
Spiral shells (Turritella spp.) – Small and tapered, they are often found along the Adriatic coast, between Otranto and Santa Cesarea Terme.
Where to Find the Most Beautiful Shells
Shells are easily found along the sandy coasts and among the rocks of Salento. Here are some recommended locations:
Punta Prosciutto and Porto Cesareo – Long stretches of very fine sand, ideal for collecting clams and sea scallops.
Baia Verde (Gallipoli) – Rich in small and colorful shells.
Otranto and Torre dell’Orso – The Adriatic beaches offer many spiral shells and murex, thanks to the sea currents.
Santa Maria di Leuca – The meeting point between the Ionian and Adriatic, where you can find rare shells and coral fragments.
Lido Conchiglie – A seaside resort near Gallipoli, whose name derives from the extraordinary quantity of shells that once accumulated along the beach, creating a natural carpet of small colored shells.
Torre Guaceto – Inside the Torre Guaceto nature reserve, located in the province of Brindisi, there is a small cove known as “shell beach”. In this pristine corner, instead of sand, there are fragments and whole shells, offering a unique experience for enthusiasts.
Shells in Salento Architecture
Shell Fossils in Tuff
Salento is known for the use of Lecce tuff in local architecture, a marine limestone that often contains shell fossils. These remains bear witness to the geological history of the region and lend a unique charm to buildings, from the baroque palaces of Lecce to fortified farmhouses.
Decorative Use of Shells
Over the centuries, shells have been used as decorative elements on the facades of churches, palaces and noble villas. They were often set in walls or fountains as symbols of fertility and a connection with the sea.
The Moorish Villas of Santa Cesarea Terme
The Moorish-style villas of Santa Cesarea Terme feature shell decorations in their ornamental motifs, recalling the Arab influence and the maritime tradition of the Adriatic coast.
The Nymphaeum of the Caracciolo Art Gallery in Lecce
An extraordinary example of the link between art, architecture and shells is the Nymphaeum of the Caracciolo Art Gallery in Lecce, an elegant baroque space decorated with marine elements and shells set among stucco, stone and plant motifs. The Nymphaeum, dating back to the mid-eighteenth century, is a rare testimony to the scenographic taste of the time, in which the aquatic element and the marine world become an integral part of the artistic narration. The shells here are not just decorations, but symbolically evoke the fertility, regeneration and mystery of underground waters, restoring a dialogue between nature and architecture.
The Shell and Coral Museums in Salento
The Coral Museum of Santa Maria di Leuca
A must-see for lovers of shells and marine history is the Coral Museum of Santa Maria di Leuca. This small but fascinating museum displays collections of shells, corals and marine fossils, testifying to the importance of the sea for the culture of Salento. The museum also tells the story of the tradition of coral processing, an art that for centuries has made Salento famous in the Mediterranean.
The Shell and Coral Museum of Palmariggi
Another essential stop for shell lovers is the Shell and Coral Museum of Palmariggi. This museum houses a vast collection of shells from all over the world, as well as rare specimens collected along the coasts of Salento. The section dedicated to corals allows you to discover the historical and commercial importance of these organisms in local tradition. The museum is also a center for environmental research and awareness, with initiatives aimed at protecting marine ecosystems.
The Shell Museum of Nardò
Located in the heart of the city of Nardò, the Shell Museum is a small jewel that houses an extraordinary collection of shells from seas around the world. Among the specimens on display, there are marine fossils, rare shells and corals of great scientific and naturalistic value. The museum is a point of reference for scholars and enthusiasts, offering a unique opportunity to deepen their knowledge of marine biodiversity and the geological history of Salento.
The Horse Cave and Shell Jewels
Another important link between Salento and shells is found in the Horse Cave, located in the Bay of Uluzzo, in the territory of Nardò. This archaeological site is known for being one of the oldest places where remains of Neanderthal man and Homo sapiens have been found. Among the numerous finds that emerged from the excavations, jewelry made with perforated shells were found, evidence of the importance of these natural elements in the daily and symbolic life of ancient prehistoric populations. Some of these ornaments date back over 40,000 years ago and are considered among the first examples of ornamental objects in human history.
Conclusion
Salento is a true paradise for those who love shells, not only for the richness of its beaches, but also for their connection with history, architecture and local culture. Walking along its coasts in search of these small treasures is a relaxing and fascinating activity, capable of connecting anyone to the magic of the sea and the land. If you are passionate about the sea, art and traditions, don't miss the opportunity to visit the shell museums and discover how these natural treasures have shaped the face of Salento over the centuries!
The Stones Tell: The Dry Stone Walls of Salento, History and Resilience in the Landscape
Dry stone walls, characteristic of the Salento landscape, represent a tradition that has its roots in ancient times. These structures, built without the use of mortar, are an extraordinary example of rural architecture, a symbol of a past rich in history and culture. In this article we will explore the origins, evolution and current use of dry stone walls in Salento.
The first evidence of dry stone walls in Salento dates back to pre-Roman times, and the walls of this period have a structure of square blocks placed horizontally.
The local populations, the Messapians, began to use them to protect their crops from grazing, to mark the border between one property and another, as a small enclosure for animals (ncurtaturi), or they built them along the coast to protect crops from atmospheric agents.
The construction techniques were handed down from generation to generation, improving and adapting over time, and a real "craft" was born, handed down from father to son, the so-called "paritaru" ("parite" in Salento dialect means wall).
Currently the most significant evidence of these ancient walls is found in northern Salento, in the "Archaeological Park of the Messapian Walls", which extends for 150,000 m² to the north-east of the municipality of Manduria. Inside, large sections of the triple circle of walls that surrounded the city in the Messapian era are preserved.
During the Roman period, the practice of building dry stone walls became more widespread. Following the example of the civilizations that preceded them, the Romans adopted more than one dry stone construction technique (opus, in Latin), but the most widespread in Salento is the polygonal work (opus siliceum). The construction technique involves the composition of a rock bank arranged in two parallel rows of large stones, then two more rows of smaller stones converging upwards are added and the empty spaces are filled with other thinner material. The rows are then tied together with other larger stone slabs, this time inserted edgewise. In this case too, the spaces are filled with material. To finish everything off, the remaining cracks in the facades are closed by inserting stone chips. The Romans, expert engineers, recognized the effectiveness of these structures in containing the land and in delimiting agricultural areas.
In the Middle Ages, dry stone walls continued to be used mainly for the creation of terraces on hilly terrain, to prevent soil erosion and facilitate cultivation, and also to build rainwater channeling systems, improving the irrigation of fields. These structures were also very useful in animal breeding, and the projecting walls, in addition to enclosing their courtyards, were insurmountable by wolves, foxes and cattle herders, as well as ensuring the possibility of saving on labor for the care of animals, raising them in a semi-wild state.
During the Renaissance, a period of great expansion and innovation in many sectors, agriculture also underwent significant changes. This era, characterized by the rediscovery of antiquity and a growing interest in science and technology, profoundly influenced the way in which agricultural landscapes were managed and structured. In Salento, dry stone walls became even more widespread and vital to the agricultural economy, responding to new production and environmental needs. With the expansion of agriculture and the increase in production needs, these structures proved essential not only for the delimitation of land and the control of soil erosion, but also for harmonious integration into the rural landscape.
The twentieth century saw a partial abandonment of dry stone walls, due to the mechanization of agriculture and increasing urbanization. With the introduction of modern agricultural machinery, the way in which the land was cultivated changed radically, as heavy machinery required large and obstacle-free spaces to function effectively, and therefore many dry stone walls were knocked down or destroyed. This change also led to a loss of traditional cultivation techniques and the knowledge associated with the construction and maintenance of dry stone walls.
The increasing urban development and the expansion of residential and industrial areas also significantly affected the landscape of Salento, because with urban expansion rural areas were often converted into urban or residential areas, leading to the demolition of dry stone walls to make room for new buildings. Furthermore, many dry stone walls remained abandoned and in a state of decay, as rural communities moved to cities and peri-urban areas.
In the last decades of the twentieth century there was a change of trend, and there was a growing recognition of the cultural and landscape importance of dry stone walls. Historians, archaeologists and environmentalists began to highlight their historical and cultural value as an integral part of the rural heritage of Salento. Furthermore, people began to understand how much dry stone walls contribute to the beauty and uniqueness of the Salento landscape, offering a distinctive element that enriches the view and understanding of the territory.
All this has led, nowadays, to a renewed interest in their conservation, with significant consequences. Today, in fact, the dry stone walls of Salento are recognized as a cultural heritage of great value. In 2018, the art of dry stone walls was inscribed on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage, a recognition that has given new life to conservation and restoration efforts. Traditional techniques are now taught to new generations, ensuring the continuity of this ancient art.
Furthermore, dry stone walls are increasingly appreciated for their positive environmental impact. In addition to preventing soil erosion, they promote biodiversity, offering refuge to numerous species of flora and fauna, a true "ecological corridor" that allows the transmission of a microfauna rich in insects, reptiles and amphibians that operate spontaneously, in synergy with human agriculture, to maintain a healthy and parasite-free environment. The interstices become their home and hiding place. The dry stone walls, with the spontaneous vegetation that grows between the stones or close to the walls themselves, constitute an important ecosystem. In their correspondence a particular microclimate is created, favorable to Mediterranean plants that can thus, thanks to the greater availability of water, overcome the summer crisis.
In particular, with regard to this last aspect, the project “L’Orto dei Tu’rat" – Storia di un’acqua spremuta dalla pietra” is worthy of note, part of the cultural/agricultural/ecological park in Ugento (Lecce). “L’Orto dei Tu’rat currently extends over an area of 16,000 m2, and is a type of barrier/drainage of very ancient origins, dating back to about 9,000 years ago and adopted in the Middle East. Since 2008, an apparently banal construction, modeled with dry stone in the shape of a crescent and arranged in such a way as to capture the humid south-west winds in its concave part, has caused the water contained in them to condense on its sloping surface. For the agricultural populations of the Mediterranean areas characterized by desert climates, with significant temperature variations from day to night, it was an effective irrigation system for the vegetation grown immediately at its feet. It is an excellent example of bioclimatic architecture, which exploits passive phenomena, avoiding the waste of non-renewable energy.
Even in the tourism sector, dry stone walls play a crucial role in preserving the authenticity and charm of the Salento landscape, acting as a magnet for visitors looking for a genuine experience. These ancient structures, which dot the territory with their rustic elegance, offer a glimpse of local tradition and culture, attracting tourists eager to explore and appreciate the pristine beauty and rich history of the region. Dry stone walls not only visually enrich the landscape, but also evoke a sense of continuity and connection with the historical roots of Salento, making each visit a journey through time and an immersion in the authentic culture of the territory.
The dry stone walls in Salento are much more than simple stone structures; they represent an authentic symbol of resilience, ingenuity and creativity of local communities. These structures, born from the expert hands of artisans who worked
with stones collected from the fields, are witnesses to a thousand-year-old tradition that has been able to adapt and thrive through centuries of historical and social transformations. From their ancient origins, when they served to delimit the land and manage natural resources, to the present day, dry stone walls have been able to maintain their function and their charm intact. Each stone, laid with care and precision, tells a story of adaptation and harmony with the environment, reflecting the ability of local populations to respond to the challenges of time without compromising their essence.
"Ogni petra azza parite" (every stone contributes to building a wall), or "Every stone has its own story", is a Salento expression that encompasses the essence and profound meaning of stone structures. This dialect phrase, steeped in popular wisdom, does not limit itself to describing a material aspect, but evokes a deeper connection between the stones and the stories they tell.
Today, as in the past, these walls continue to be much more than simple elements of the landscape: they are custodians of the historical memory and culture of Salento, uniting the past with the present and contributing significantly to the preservation of the identity and beauty of a unique territory. Their silent but powerful presence enriches the landscape, transforming it into a stage where history, culture and nature intertwine in a fascinating tale of resilience and continuity