Items | Galatina, Castro e Zinzulusa. Full Day of sightseeing and History
Galatina, Castro e Zinzulusa. Full Day of sightseeing and History
(14) Reviews
Lecce
Important Information
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Public transportation options are available nearby
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Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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Wear comfortable shoes
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The remaining hours of the tour will be spent on travel
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The visit to "Zinzulusa Cave" is not recommended for travelers with back problems.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
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Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
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If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
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This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
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Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
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This tour will take you to discover 2 important cities of Salento peninsula such as Galatina, with its fascinating late Romanesque church of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria, built in 1390, full covered with stunning frescoes by workers from Giotto school. Castro, which was an ancient Messapian town about 20 kilometers south of Otranto, where we'll be heading driving along the best coastal route for enjoying the breathtaking cliffs. It is said that it was the place where Aeneas, the ancestor of the founders of Rome, first landed in Italy following his escape from Trojan war. Here you’ll visit the Castle which houses the archeological museum inside with several finds of Greek colonies, and spot o...
Highlights
From 6 hours to 7 hours
Offered in English & Italian
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
From 6 hours to 7 hours
Offered in English & Italian
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
The tour is only for your group with flexible schedule
All Fees and Taxes
Ticket of Zinzulusa Cave
Ticket of Castro Archeological Museum
Air-conditioned vehicle
Independent tour in the cities
Lunch
Meeting Points
Departure
Lecce Stazione
Train station.
Return
Galatina, Castro e Zinzulusa. Full Day of sightseeing and History
(14) Reviews
Lecce
About
This tour will take you to discover 2 important cities of Salento peninsula such as Galatina, with its fascinating late Romanesque church of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria, built in 1390, full covered with stunning frescoes by workers from Giotto school. Castro, which was an ancient Messapian town about 20 kilometers south of Otranto, where we'll be heading driving along the best coastal route for enjoying the breathtaking cliffs. It is said that it was the place where Aeneas, the ancestor of the founders of Rome, first landed in Italy following his escape from Trojan war. Here you’ll visit the Castle which houses the archeological museum inside with several finds of Greek colonies, and spot o...
Highlights
From 6 hours to 7 hours
Offered in English & Italian
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
From 6 hours to 7 hours
Offered in English & Italian
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
The tour is only for your group with flexible schedule
Transfer from Lecce to Galatina 30 minutes.
You'll visit the late Romanesque church of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria built in 1390 by Raimondello Orsini del Balzo, count of Soleto. The interior contains frescoes by artists from "Giotto school", that make the church the second in Italy, after San Francesco d'Assisi Basilica, for its pictorial cycles.
30 minutes
2
Centro storico di Galatina
Walking along the old town you can find out several aristocratic Palace built when Galatina was part of Soleto county with "Giovanni Antonio" the Son of Raimondello and Maria d'Enghien, Queen of Naples Kingdom from 1406 to 1414.
Close the main square there is the Baroque church of San Pietro rebuilt from 1633 on a previous Byzantine (Greek-rite) edifice. Nearby is the small Chapel of San Paolo who houses a well which, according to tradition, was able to heal people bitten by poisonous tarantulas (those bitten were called tarantati or pizzicati in the local dialect, from which starts the famous Italian folk dance).
Galatina is also known for the pastries produced for generations in the local pasticcerie. In the most famous one you can delight yourself by tasting the "Pasticciotto" with inside the delicious cream.
30 minutes
3
Guglia di Raimondello Orsini
Transfer from Galatina to Soleto with a short stop along the way to visit the Raimondello Orsini Spire.
10 minutes
4
Punta Palascia Lighthouse
Transfer from Soleto to Palascia lighthouse 30 min.
The tall white cylindrical lighthouse on the easternmost point of Italy. Walking along the path you can enjoy the splendid view of Otranto cost.
From here we'll transfer driving along the stunning cliff, passing by tipical villages like Porto Badisco e Santa Cesarea Terme, heading to the Zinzulusa Cave (30 minutes about).
20 minutes
5
Grotta Zinzulusa
The Grotto's name comes from the "rags" in local dialect "zinzuli", because the stalactites resemble many hanging rags.
The visit is divided into three parts: "La Conca" which is characterized by stalactites and stalagmites; "The Duomo" with its vault about 25 meters high; "Il Cocito" with very clear waters flow through it in which there are stratifications of fresh water at the top and brackish water at the bottom. It’s a true natural spectacle.
The cave is not suitable for people with limited mobility. There are several steps to get into the grotto, sometimes narrow, wet and slippery so it needs to wear comfortable shoes.
The grotto visit lasts 30 minutes and the waiting to go into depends on the queue.
Here you can also have your independent lunch in the close restaurants with their lovely terraces by the sea.
2 hours
6
Castello Aragonese e Museo Archeologico Castro
Transfer form Zinzulusa cave to Castro historic center 5 min.
The town's name derives from Castrum Minervae (Latin for "Athena's castle"), which was ancient Messapian town with a temple dedicated to the goddess Minerva.
It’s said that it was the place where Aeneas, the ancestor of the founders of Rome, first landed in Italy following his escape from Trojan war (as also published by the Independent in April 2007).
Here you’ll visit the little historic center and the Castle which inside host the archeological museum with several finds of Greek colonies, and spot of the mythic temple with the latest discovery of a female statue dating back to the 4th century BC, presumably depicting the goddess Minerva.
In downstair room a large panel will show you all the stages of Aeneas' journey, recounted by Virgil in the Aeneid, before you will be heading up to the tower for enjoying the amazing view.