Castro is a small town of only about 2,500 inhabitants in the province of Lecce, situated in the south-east of Salento, in Apulia, Italy.
The main town is located 100 meters above sea level and is called Castro City to distinguish it from the bottom, called Castro Marina.
Some findings demonstrate the existence of the site already in prehistoric times, even though its foundation was due, according to tradition, the Cretans and Greeks settlers. Today, Castro is above all a major tourist center of Salento.
What to see
Among the most important monuments of the town, there is the Aragonese Castle, which dates back probably to the twelfth or thirteenth century, with a rectangular shape it has four corner towers of various shapes and sizes.
Also part of the military, la Cinta Muraria, the ancient Castrum Minervae, which encompasses the entire town for a total perimeter of 700 meters.
Among the examples of religious architecture, the Cathedral of the Annunciation was built in 1171 and probably built on the ruins of a greek temple.
Finally is worth mentioning, an evidence of reflection of natural beauty of the area is the Cave of Zinzulusa, one of the biggest karst creations in Salento probably originated in ancient Pliocene, the Romanelli Cave, the remains dating back to the Paleolithic, and the Forest of Scarr, recently also called Oak Park, a rare witness of the forest edges of Salento.
Events
- April 24 to 26 - Festival in honor of Maria Santissima Annunziata
- December - Presentation of an Historic edieval Christmas