Top 11 Caves メリッサーノでの

beautiful and very suggestive route.

The quantity of lush greenery of the Mediterranean scrub keeps the naturalistic value of this crossed area high, so much so that you are amazed when you descend from the greenhouse on the east side, especially for the people of Tuglia who are used to peering towards the Ionian Sea. San Nicola di Macugno is its emblem, the History and the stories told that involve this place and Nature with the harmoniously integrated cultivated fields give beauty and joyfulness.

Inserted in the Salento Bizantino collection https://www.komoot.com/it-it/collection/1811756/-salento-bizantino - Normally closed, no possibility of peeking inside from some window. No indication about opening times and/or days despite the recent restoration. Contact the new archaeological museum of Ugento to understand how and when to visit it. https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cripta_del_Crocifisso https://www.provincialecce.com/VirtualTour/Ugento-Cripta-del-Crocefisso/Ugento-Cripta-del-Crocefisso.asp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqdZ-VgviWg

Inserted in a naturalistic context of absolute value, it is also worth visiting for the presence of its hypogea that are always accessible. Here is the link passionate and beautiful story of Salogentis https://www.salogentis.it/2014/11/15/labbazia-di-san-nicola-di-macugno-neviano/

On the highest point of the Serra di Casarano, in the Manfio district in the Ruffano area, stands the characteristic Crypt of the Crucifix, or of Santa Costantina, a cavity of natural origin transformed by the Byzantines into a place of worship around the year 1000.

Mystical and mysterious place, surrounded by a series of legends that are lost in the mists of time. Unfortunately this site is difficult to access, it is advisable to leave your bikes at the foot of the hill and then continue on foot along the rocky path.

Not easy to find at all, hand pushed bike

Inserted in a rural context rich in historical testimonies, 100 meters above sea level, in a dominant position on the fertile “Ruga valley”, the abbey complex probably originated in the fourteenth century. Mentioned in several documents, in 1378 and 1412, which sanction its geographical belonging to the territory of Neviano and to the jurisdiction of the Neretine curia, the small village of Macugno performed a mandatory stop function for pilgrims heading to Santa Maria di Leuca, for the traders and shepherds who periodically split the hinterland along the junction of the two ports of Gallipoli and Otranto.