Among the secret wonders of Salento lie small, suspended worlds, where stone tells age-old stories and every alley holds a fragment of eternity. These are not simply tourist destinations, but places of the soul: Presicce, Specchia, Otranto, and Maruggio, recognized among the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy,” offer a journey through time, amid Baroque and Byzantine architecture, olive trees whispering in the wind, and living traditions.

International tourists imagine Italy as a place of cultural refinement. Our ancient history, scenic beauty, and artistic treasures are the true wealth of our country. Many of the artistic and cultural sites are found in the smallest and least-known towns: the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy” Association represents the best that Hidden Italy has to offer the world.

Founded in 2002, the Association promotes small towns that have preserved their beauty and authenticity. With over 360 selected and certified villages, the Association promotes sustainable economic development combined with the protection of historical, artistic, and environmental heritage.

The “Quality Charter” defines the criteria for membership and the methods for awarding the label, a guarantee of excellence and authenticity. Certified villages become top-rated tourist destinations, helping to promote a “local tourism” that is aware and respectful of local cultures.

The Association relies on a robust communications network: an annual guide with 50,000 copies distributed, a website with over 1,500,000 unique visitors annually, and social media with more than 2 million followers. The English version of the guide—”The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy”—is designed to promote “roots tourism” and engage an international audience.

Numerous annual events enliven the villages, including the Romantic Night in the Villages of Italy, the National Village Festival, and the Mediterranean Conference. Since 2019, the Association has been ISO 9001 certified for the promotion of national cultural heritage. It also founded the International Federation “Les plus beaux Villages de la Terre” (The Most Beautiful Villages of the Earth) to share and promote the value of these outstanding villages worldwide.

 

Presicce: The City of Olive Oil and Hypogea

Presicce, in the heart of lower Salento, is a refined and surprising town, known as the City of Olive Oil and the City of Hypogea. Here, everything revolves around the “yellow gold”: extra virgin olive oil.

The underground olive oil mills, true underground cathedrals of rural civilization, can be visited in Piazza del Popolo, Vico Sant’Anna, and Via Gramsci. The historic center is an enchanting labyrinth of courtyards and cobbled alleys: don’t miss the “li vecchi curti” in the Corciuli and Padreterno districts, with the ancient courtyard houses in Via E. Arditi, Vico Matteotti (1581), Vico Sant’Anna, and Via Anita Garibaldi.

On the Pozzomauro hill stands the small rural church of the Madonna di Loreto, of Basilian origins, next to which lies a Byzantine crypt converted into an olive oil mill.

The surrounding area is dominated by fortified 16th-century farmhouses (La Casarana, Del Feudo, and Tunna) and 18th-century villas, such as Casina degli Angeli (1778) and Casina Celle. A visit to the Museum of Rural Life (Piazza del Popolo) is a must, housing around 300 tools from Salento’s rural life.

Presicce captivates with its historic center dotted with Baroque palaces, such as Palazzo Alberti, rich in Neapolitan majolica, and the majestic Palazzo Ducale, with its medieval turret. The churches, including the Mother Church of Sant’Andrea Apostolo, the Church of Carmine, and the Church of the Angels and the Dead, reveal a valuable artistic heritage. The Casa Turrita (or Torre di San Vincenzo) is emblematic, one of the oldest fortifications in the village.

 

Specchia: The Noble Sentinel of Capo di Leuca

Specchia, nestled among the rolling hills of Capo di Leuca, is one of the most picturesque villages in lower Salento. Its name derives from the ancient “specchie,” piles of stones used as observation points. Perched on a hill, Specchia dominates the surrounding landscape with a sober and noble beauty.

Specchia’s history is marked by great feudal families, from the Del Balzo to the Gonzaga, and by epic sieges such as that of 1435. Its architecture recounts its past with palaces and castles: above all, Risolo Castle, the Protonobilissimo Risolo Palace, and the Ripa Palace with its frescoed loggia.

The village is a maze of artisan workshops, cobbled alleys, and historic homes: Palazzo Teotini, Palazzo Coluccia, Orlando Pisanelli, and Orlando Pedone are testaments to a glorious past.

Specchia is also a land of artisanal traditions: wrought iron, terracotta, olive wood, and rush are still crafted using ancient techniques.

Nearby, the Terra di Leuca offers natural beauty, sports, and hiking trails. For information, the GAL Capo Santa Maria di Leuca is the right place to organize authentic itineraries.

 

Otranto: The Pearl of the Orient

Otranto is the gateway to the East, the easternmost point of Italy, steeped in history and culture. Its origins date back centuries: inhabited since the Bronze Age, it was an important port for the Messapians, and later a flourishing Roman, Byzantine, and Norman city.

The Old Town is a maze of narrow streets that wind around the Porta Alfonsina, the Aragonese Castle, and the Norman Cathedral, with its famous Tree of Life mosaic and the crypt housing the relics of the 800 martyrs beheaded by the Turks in 1480.

The small Church of San Pietro, with Byzantine frescoes, and the Palazzo Lopez (now the Diocesan Museum) complete an itinerary that alternates mystical inspiration and artistic beauty.

Otranto is also a vibrant town: the Aragonese walls, artisan shops, seaside bars, and summer events (such as the Medieval Days) make the city lively and welcoming. Its center is a place where history and modernity coexist harmoniously.

 

Maruggio: Between the Sea, Baroque, and Knights

Maruggio, on the Ionian coast of the province of Taranto, is a village with a unique history: founded between the 9th and 10th centuries, it was ruled by the Templars and then by the Knights of Malta for over five centuries.

The historic center, known locally as “schiangài,” is an enchanting maze of streets, with whitewashed houses, noble palaces, baroque loggias, and flower-filled balconies. Among its iconic sites are the Palazzo dei Commendatori (or Castle of the Knights), the Chiesa Matrice (15th century), the Torre dell’Orologio (Clock Tower) with its war memorial, and the evocative Chiesa di San Giovanni fuori le mura (Church of St. John Outside the Walls), originally intended to accommodate the sick and pilgrims.

Maruggio is also nature: the Campomarino Dunes, up to 12 meters high, are part of the Regional Nature Reserve and protect one of Salento’s most beautiful coastlines, with white beaches and crystal-clear sea. The surrounding countryside is dotted with ancient farmhouses and the original Maruggio trulli, dry-stone dwellings made of white stone.

The local forests (Pindini, Sferracavalli, and della Maviglia) offer hiking trails immersed in the Mediterranean scrub, amidst the scents of myrtle, mastic, and juniper.

 

A Slow Journey Through Culture and Beauty

Presicce, Specchia, Otranto, and Maruggio represent four distinct souls of Salento, yet all united by a profound and authentic charm. These villages are best explored at a leisurely pace, savoring the sun-warmed stone, the freshness of the olive trees, and the embrace of the sea. They are ideal destinations for those seeking timeless beauty, where Italy is still poetic.