Galatina, Castro e Zinzulusa. Full Day of sightseeing and History Discount Tickets

4.9
★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 15 reviews |
location pin icon Lecce, Italy
location pin icon Lecce
4.9 /5
15 reviews
View all Galatina, Castro e Zinzulusa. Full Day of sightseeing and History photos
View all Galatina, Castro e Zinzulusa. Full Day of sightseeing and History photos

Get your discount tickets for the Galatina, Castro e Zinzulusa. Full Day of sightseeing and History, save up to 10% !

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10% OFF Refundable
Tour in Italian language
FROM

$94.41

REG. $105.08

Offer details

Online Translator Available: You'll be accompanied by a guide who speaks Italian and will be able to have conversation in other languages via Translator. Pickup included
10% OFF Refundable
English and Italian languages
FROM

$94.41

REG. $105.08

Offer details

Pickup included

Overview

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 of the mythic temple of the goddess Minerva. Down the amazing cliff of Castro you'll have a stunning experience visiting the "Zinzulusa Cave" where we'll even stop for swimming in the clearest azure sea you've ever seen.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Train station.

Pickup Information

Start time refers to Lecce town departure as meeting point. Please provide your lodging name for direct pick-up. We keep in touch by Phone / whatsApp. You can recognize me by grey car.

Language Offered

English-GUIDE

Italian-GUIDE

Itinerary

1. Basilica di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria
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.
Duration: 30 mins
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.
Duration: 30 mins
3. Guglia di Raimondello Orsini
Transfer from Galatina to Soleto with a short stop along the way to visit the Raimondello Orsini Spire.
Duration: 10 mins
4. Faro di Punta Palascia
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).
Duration: 20 mins
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.
Duration: 120 mins
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.
Duration: 90 mins

Inclusion

The tour is only for your group with flexible schedule

All Fees and Taxes

Ticket of Zinzulusa Cave

Ticket of Castro Archeological Museum

In-vehicle air conditioning

Independent tour in the cities

Exclusion

Lunch

Cancellation Policy

Check mark icon Refundable tickets

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

  • 100% refund if cancelled 1+ days before the start date
  • 0% refund if cancelled less than 1 day(s) before the start date

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Wear comfortable shoes

The remaining hours of the tour will be spent on travel

The visit to "Zinzulusa Cave" is not recommended for travelers with back problems.

Supplied by A casa delle Salentine

Reviews

4.9

★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 15 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

5 stars
14
4 stars
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3 stars
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2 stars
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1 stars
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