Santa Cesarea Terme
Author: VeronicaSanta Cesarea Terme is the main thermal resort in Puglia, located on a bluff overlooking the Strait of Otranto.
It is at 48 km. at south of Lecce and 56 meters above sea level. Santa Cesarea owes its fame both sulphurous mineral springs flowing in some caves and its coastal location, with stretches of reef frequented for bathing.
Santa Cesarea coast
Therefore Santa Cesarea Terme welcomes vacationers and tourists for two reasons:
first, therapeutic, as the sulphurous waters of its four caves are used to cure skin ailments and of joints;
the second, for summer vacations of those who love, among other things, being able to spear fishing and swimming in clear water, surrounded by the scenario of a location different from the usual beaches, full of rocks and caves.
It should not be neglected a reference to inhabitated centre, a collection of villas and residential buildings used mostly for the holidays.
Higher up, a beautiful scenic road that winds above the coastline bordering an old Saracen tower, entered into a lush pine forest dotted with cottages and ends on a magnificent viewpoint from which you contemplate the coast between Otranto and Capo Santa Maria di Leuca.
The road along this stretch of coast, passes a string of perched villages of fishermen, dominating the difficult and clenched landings between rocks.
The deep and dark sea beats against the rock, the arches and the empty caves with the boats aground on the shelves of the access road. The villages have tall and narrow houses from the Moorish styles, from the thick walls of tuff to keep the cool in summer and warm in winter, the small windows.
The walls of Santa Cesarea are dyed white, a sharp and blinding lime white; the sun burning seems that dies above without reflections.
In the deserted streets when the sun is high, the shadow of the houses is painted with a game of geometry.
Thermal Centre
According to a Christian legend was The virgin Cisaria, who sought refuge in a cave to escape the incestuous wishes of her father, to transmit its purity to water. The phenomenon of hot springs inside the caves of this coastal stretch of Salento coastline was known since the earliest times and used spontaneously by the locals.
The sulphurous waters of Santa Cesarea Terme, received directly with wells located in the first inland, have been scientifically exploiting since the last part of the nineteenth century. Today the baths are in three areas near the sea: the administrative offices; the large Gattulla establishment (the centre for inhalation, treatment of deafness and departments for mud-baths, massages, etc.) built in 1910 in striking position overlooking the cliffs and well recognized by the fanciful Moorish architecture; the elegant Palazzo establishment, connected to the hotel of the same name, and equipped, as well as care units of Gattulla, of Spa Blue Line offering customized programs for psycho-physical equilibrium of the individual, even with the use of Eastern techniques and a line of skin cosmetics.
Gattulla establishment
Therapeutic indications
- Skin diseases
- Locomotive apparatus diseases
- Breathing apparatus diseases
- Urinary apparatus diseases
- Gynecological problems.
Spa treatments
- Aerosols,
- Therapeutic baths
- Nasal showers
- Water messages
- Hot-humid inhalation
- Insufflation
- Nasal irrigation
- Vaginal douches
- Nasal sprays
- Thermal pool
Other treatments
- Physiotherapy
- Counseling
- Health education
- Fitness,
- Breathing exercises
- Massage
- Cosmetic medicine,
- Anti-stress programs
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapies
How to arrive there
By car: follow the road S.S. 16, passing Maglie and Poggiardo, or take the coastal road at south of Otranto.
By train: reach the railway station of Lecce. Then you can take a bus of the local transport services STP Ferrovie del Sud-Est along the line Lecce – Maglie – Gagliano del Capo or Salentointrenoebus, working only during the summer.
By air: the nearest airport is Brindisi from where you can rent a car or use the shuttle service to Lecce, and then continue by bus.
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