The tour follows the coastline starting from the Fiume Idro Valley, crossed by the river that lends its name to both the valley and the city of Otranto (Hidruntum). You continue to Torre del Serpe, the city’s symbol. Nearby, an old bauxite quarry formed a small lake that is now host to many aquatic plants and is also the perfect spot to observe many animal species: a fascinating ecosystem highlighted by the red earth; a fine testimony to how human activities merge with the natural environment. You will then move on to high cliffs overlooking the sea, along trails that wind through the Mediterranean maquis and its wild orchids, and approach the Cape of Otranto, kingdom of hawks, where the Palascia Lighthouse juts upwards toward the skies in Italy’s easternmost point. Finally, you will reach Porto Badisco, where Aeneas disembarked, and which is famous for its Grotta dei Cervi (Deer Cave), where thousands of cave paintings dating back to Neolithic times are found. The tour ends in Andrano’s CEA, located on the ground floor of the Spinola-Caracciolo Castle.
Type
Walking - Bicycle
Type of itinerary
Nature tour
Target of reference
Primary Schools Secondary Schools
Best time to organise your trip
March - April - May - June - September - October
Duration
One day
Accessibility
Not accessible
This tour is not accessible to differently abled visitors. Andrano’s CEA offices are accessible.
Useful informations
We reccomend wearing comfortable clothing, tennis shoes, a cap to protect from harmful sun rays and a pocket rain jacket. Bring bottled water; We recommend bringing a camera.
Sources: Progetto Interregionale di Sviluppo Turistico - Valorizzazione del turismo Scolastico e Giovanile - Iris Soc. Coop. Updated on: 01/06/2011
Project created in collaboration with InnovaPuglia.
Regione Puglia
Regione Puglia