Santa Maria di Leuca
On the extreme tip of the Apulian heel, stands Santa Maria di Leuca. The center overlooks what is generally referred to as the meeting point between the Ionian Sea and the Adriatic Sea, and preserves a large repertoire of testimonies from the past that lead us back to all the peoples who have walked this land.
The presence of the latter dates back to the prehistoric age and is testified by the discovery of the remains of a center from the Bronze Age, and by Messapian inscriptions present inside some caves scattered along the beautiful coast. probably, homo sapiens populated the famous Devil’s Cave. Another fascinating feature of Leuca is the presence of wonderful villas. From the end of the nineteenth century onwards, a process of construction of beautiful and imposing villas began, which contributed to making Leuca a top-level tourist destination.
Among the most beautiful and impressive wemention Villa Daniele built in 1880, Villa Ruggeri also called Villa Meridiana which was built in 1874, Villa Episcopo with its unusual Chinese pagoda shape, Villa Sangiovanni, in Egyptian style, and Villa Mellacqua, in neo-Gothic style . Another marvel present in the pretty center is the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Leuca, which has always been a destination for devoted pilgrims. It was built at the behest of Pope Julius I, in 343 AD, on the remains of the pagan temple dedicated to the Goddess Minerva. Legend has it that when St. Peter came from the east to Leuca, he placed the cross on the ground and the temple mysteriously crumbled within a very short time.
The first pilgrims already visited it in the Middle Ages and, throughout history, even Kings and Dukes turned to the Virgin. The Sanctuary was declared a Minor Basilica in 1990 by Pope John Paul II. The Parish Church of Santa Maria di Leuca, on the other hand, is dedicated to Christ the King, and since 1943 it has been managed by the Franciscan Friars. It was built around the end of the 19th century, and the facade, together with the three portals, is in a neo-Gothic style.
