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Comune in Apulia, Italy
Photo: Calcagnile Floriano, (User:Florixc), CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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Church of St. Nicholas the Great
Finished in 1672 AD the cathedral church is one of the most richly decorated of the cape of Leuca area, containing four valuable baroque altars built in Lecce stone during the 16th and 17th centuries as well as a white wooden pulpit with gold-leaf motifs and a ceiling of the crossing with elaborate stuccoes and frescoes. But the centerpiece is the pipe organ Olgiati-Mauro acquired in 1628, which is the oldest functional pipe organ in Apulia and one of the oldest in Italy. Unlike the interior, the exterior is quite simple and it has been restored in 1954, with the construction of a small square-based bell tower on top of the preexisting clock tower facing the central square.
An underground oil mill carved into the rock during 1601, at the border of the old town.
Poles tower
Partially collapsed coastal tower built in the 16th century, one of the hundreds built in the Kingdom of Naples during the Spanish rule as a defense against Ottoman raids. The circular plan structure in now completely surrounded by the sea, few meters off the beach, because of the natural erosion of the sandy coast. The second level is collapsed in different steps during the last decades and the tower resembles now a lonely great rock against the low coastline.
Sanctuary of Saint Marina
Small but fine baroque church in the small village of Ruggiano, north of Salve.
Pajara "Trauscello"
The largest pajàra in the municipality. It consists in an ancient countryside house built in dry-stone before the 19th century, one of the thousands of this truncated conical structures similar to the trulli built in this area. It has a circular plan and is built on three levels with three external staircases that runs along every level, you can climb it to reach the roof at anheight of about 10 m (33 ft). This large pajara is located in the suburb of Salve, unfortunately facing some modest 20th century buildings, the access is completely free since it is on public land.
One of the largest pajara in the province, a well preserved example of rural architecture half a mile away from the freeway exit of "Scafazzi", less than 5 min by car from Salve old town. It is made of stone covered with lime mortar and it consists in three truncated cones on top of each other. The building is actually accessible even if it's located on a private land.
Majestic rural building made in dry-stone, with well preserved structure and interiors. It presents five levels with elliptical plan. It is located in the deep countryside 3 min from "Scafazzi" freeway exit at about 4 km (2.5 mi) from Salve old town.
Small but interesting megalithic tomb, discovered in 1968. It is composed of an underground burial chamber 1.8 m (6 ft) tall, covered by three main blocks held up by four monoliths and various stacked rocks. Height above the ground is 1.1 m, length of 2.2 m and width of 1.5 m. This site of uncertain age is unfortunately not signposted and it's protected only by volunteer associations, that sometimes organize guided tours. It is located on the coastal road close to the giant deckchair at the entry of Maldive del Salento resort.
A 4 hour mini-cruise starting at 9:00 or 14:00 to the Ionian and Adriatic sea caves of Leuca, with two stops of ½hr to bathe and aperitif on board. A shorter 2 hour trip starts at 18:30 to discover only the Ionian sea caves with a stop to bathe, but it will end with a rich aperitif on board with raw seafood and live music. You can also choose to rent a boat to hold a private party starting at 20:30 with aperitifs and deejays music on board. Finally you can even sail the Ionian sea for 1½hr on board of a large dinghy to reach the Greek island of Othonì, swimming in the waters of the bay of Kalipso, having lunch in a local restaurant, enjoying an aperitif on board and discovering the island to come back to Torre Pali at 19:00.
One of the most popular beach resorts in the province, by now well known even outside Apulia, offers activities such as parasailing, jet ski rentals, dinghy tours in the frame of one of the best stretch of coast of the area. A free-access floating pier more than 50 metres long (164 ft) has been positioned allowing you to run and dive in the crystal clear Ionian waters. The resort is equipped with parking, bar, newsstand and WiFi and it is easily recognisable from a giant deck chair at the entrance, become a tourist attraction itself.
An "astronomical park" with a 50 seats planetarium where to discover constellations, planets and nebulae, knowing how to use meridian and telescope as well as observing the stars shining in the dark sky of the countryside.
Well furnished bar and bakery with indoor and open space area with a vast variety of take-out coffees, cakes, pastries and even delicatessen specialties of Salento cuisine, including the pasticciotto leccese. Enjoy a great breakfast or aperitif in the very centre of Salve.
Small bar and ice-cream parlor focused on take away service. Here you will find also cakes and semifreddo desserts.
Excellent ice-creams as well as various desserts, calzoni and rustici, all of them tasted with a stunning view over the sea.
All-year open restaurant focused on seafood and pizza cooked to firewood, also with takeaway service.
Cosy atmosphere for a restaurant in the heart of Salve historic centre, where you can taste the typical Mediterranean cuisine of this area, from land to seafood recipes.
One of the most renowned restaurants in the area, famous for the abundance of the dishes, that comprise raw and cooked seafood.
Trattoria and wine bar to taste the most famous dishes of Salento cuisine prepared in traditional way. Most of recipes are mainly focused on land ingredients instead of seafood, such as different varieties of pasta, meat and vegetables.
Probably the most renowned restaurant of the town in an enchanting farmhouse surrounded by olive trees. You can enjoy local dishes typical of the Mediterranean diet with zero kilometer ingredients, seeing the animals or playing a game of chess with giant pieces in the courtyard. Mid-high range.
Open air tables where you can enjoy excellent drinks in front of the tourist port of Torre Pali.
A lively bar with many outdoor seating few steps from the old town of Salve, very frequented after dinnertime. Here you can taste coffees, aperitifs, drinks and various snacks in a beautiful square.
A small stand beside the beach of Posto Vecchio where you can enjoy ice-creams, snow cones, coffees and brioches between a bathe and the other. It is also the location of two large parties during the nights of the shooting star and Ferragosto eve (10 and 15 August), with live music from about 19:00 to 05:00.
Informal bar close to the sea of Pescoluse where to enjoy aperitifs, cold coffees and snacks. It also provides umbrella and sunbed rental service.
Renowned B&B inside Palazzo Ceuli, a baroque building in the heart of the old town, with free WiFi and a large terrace where you can enjoy a rich breakfast. This is the ideal place if you prefer to visit monuments, walking down the narrow streets and discovering the inland rather than the crowded beaches.
Modern 3-star hotel few steps away from the beach of Pescoluse. It has 18 rooms, some of them with view of the sea while others with small gardens and a restaurant on the roof.
Modern hotel close to the public beach of Pescoluse, with free WiFi, rooms with balconies and an excellent restaurant.
Restored 16th century farmhouse in the quiet countryside but well connected to the beaches of Pescoluse, just 3 mins away by car. Choose between an Only Bed or a B&B formula in a rustic-style estate surrounded by prickly pear cactuses and fig trees, whose fruits you can freely enjoy. Partner beach service and a renowned restaurant are also included.
Medium-sized supermarket, it is the main one in the municipality.
A few steps away from the old town, it's a medium-small supermarket but quite rich of products and cheap. It's mainly focused on grocery and it comprises bread, meat, cheese and ready meals counters.
Small but well furnished supermarket at the service of the marina of Torre Pali, very cheap.
Small market at the service of the marina of Pescoluse.
Well furnished souvenir and gift shop mainly focused on clothing, with also sport fishing and sea items.
Store where you can buy locally made food products including taralli, frise, fresh pasta, olive oil and a large choice of preserves, sauces, pates and in oil products such as chicories, capers, turnips, eggplants and many others. You will find also liqueurs in various flavours, homemade beers and wines, including Negramaro and Primitivo di Manduria. Prices are more than fair and procuts can also be ordered online from Italy and Europe.
By car
By train
The municipality is served by the Salve-Ruggiano railway station, which is located in the small village of Ruggiano, 1km north of the town of Salve.40.
On foot
Most of the streets in Salve have little traffic and the small size of the centre allows you to walk relaxed between the baroque architectures and the white houses in Mediterranean style, probably…
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