Porto Badisco is a seaside resort in the municipality of Otranto, in the province of Lecce, located on the Adriatic Sea and a short distance from other locations such as Otranto, Lecce, Santa Cesarea Terme and Castro. It is known for its splendid natural beauty and for the culinary tradition linked to sea urchins.
A legend attributes Porto Badisco as the first landing of Aeneas in Italy, as described in Virgil’s Aeneid. However, the details of the narrative suggest that the real landing could be the Roman port of Castro, where the cult of the goddess Minerva is documented. In 2015, a major archaeological discovery in Castro led to the discovery of a mutilated statue that could represent Minerva or Artemis, strengthening the historical ties of the area.
Porto Badisco is also famous for the Grotta dei Cervi, which houses ancient Neolithic drawings and has coves of rare beauty. Nearby is the Grotta delle Striare, known for its characteristic entrance.
Since 2006, part of the Otranto territory has been included in the Otranto-Santa Maria di Leuca Coast and Tricase Forest Park, established to protect the eastern coast of Salento and its biodiversity, rich in architectural heritage and valuable plant and animal species.
Leave a comment