Gagliano del Capo: Church Art, Karst Caves and Trails at Ciolo

Gagliano del Capo is suitable for planning a trip that combines local history with paths through a distinctive karst landscape. The main attractions are the Chiesa dell’Immacolata, the historic centre with its network of underground mills, and the landscape around Ciolo.

Church and Local History

The Chiesa dell’Immacolata was built in 1860 on the ruins of the former Sant’Angelo Chapel. Inside, there is a mosaic floor made in 1884 by the brothers Antonio and Ippazio Peluso from Tricase. The former Sant’Angelo Chapel thus represents the historic predecessor of today’s church. The building and its mosaic floor therefore date from the 19th century.

The Menhir dello Spirito Santo stands beside the chapel that gives it its name. Gagliano del Capo’s historic centre also contains a network of underground olive oil mills, many of which are interconnected.

Karst Landscape at Ciolo

The Ponte Ciolo is approximately 30 metres high, 60 metres long and 10 metres wide. The Sentiero del Ciolo begins inland from the town of Gagliano del Capo, can be walked and is approximately 4 kilometres long.

Along the Sentiero del Ciolo, rocky slopes, dry-stone walls and natural cavities alternate in a canyon-like landscape. The path is used for trekking and free climbing.

Caves and Historic Paths

The Grotte Cipolliane comprise three natural cavities hollowed out of karst rock. They contain traces of human activity from prehistoric times, including pebbles with distinctive engravings.

The Sentiero delle Cipolliane is approximately 2.5 kilometres long and connects the Ciolo area with Porto Vecchio near Novaglie. It was formerly used as a route for transporting salt and other goods from the coast inland. At approximately 2.5 kilometres, the Sentiero delle Cipolliane lies between the 736-metre-long Sentiero Canalone del Ciolo and the approximately 4-kilometre-long Sentiero del Ciolo.

Route Planning and Nature Park

The Sentiero Canalone del Ciolo is a 736-metre-long trekking path in Gagliano del Capo. It begins at the Ponte Ciolo and ends at the Sentiero Le Foggie. At approximately 4 kilometres, the Sentiero del Ciolo is longer than the 736-metre-long Sentiero Canalone del Ciolo. The routes also differ in their starting and ending points: the Canalone begins at the Ponte Ciolo and ends at the Sentiero Le Foggie, while the Cipolliane connects the Ciolo area with Porto Vecchio near Novaglie.

Gagliano del Capo is one of the municipalities included in the Costa Otranto–Santa Maria di Leuca–Bosco di Tricase Regional Nature Park.

Other Places

Sternatia, Torre Suda, Alessano, Acquarica Del Capo, Martano, Santa Caterina, Pacci, Squinzano

To the main travel overview: Lecce.