Ciolo

Ciolo is among the most visited and famous areas of the whole peninsula of Salento, known for the charm of its surrounding nature and its marvellous clear sea.
Rugged rocky Coastline

Ciolo, a charming location situated in Salento, known for the fascination of the surrounding nature and the particularity of the place. This is a wonderful natural bay, belonging to the town of Gagliano del Capo, overlooking the Adriatic coast, between the marina di Novaglie and Santa Maria di Leuca.

The characteristic of this area is that from Gagliano (village situated on a hill from which you can admire the sea) opens a deep ravine, about 500 meters long, which then leads directly into the sea, forming a small cove of pebbles. The path is easily explorable by foot and it appears as an ideal route for lovers of trekking and nature, with the chance to find rare and special plants such as cornflower of Leuca and many species of wild orchids. This location is well known and perfect for rock climbing too. In fact in Salento there are about 160 routes for climbing.

At the end of the path you are immediately in front of the crystal clear sea and at the foot of a bridge that unites the two sides of the canyon (the so called Ciolo Bridge), from which the more adventurous try the thrill of breathtaking dives (about 25m high): a real spectacle for tourists and locals. The scenery of the Ciolo is one of the most evocative of Salento: vastness, peace and tranquility, these are the feelings that you experience while admiring it.

STORIA E CENNI STORICI

Ciolo is a deep canyon carved over the millennia, from the meteorite waters. The name comes from magpies, called Gioli or Cioli in the Salento dialect, who lived in the area until few years ago. The high ridge, is covered with evergreen vegetation of the Mediterranean maquis and with native plants, such as the cornflower of Capo di Leuca and some species of wild orchids.

Among other things along the magnificent canyon you can find many fossils still visible today. The presence of numerous caves in fact, protagonists of not only fossil findings, but also ceramics, infers that the site was inhabited since the Neolithic and Palaeolithic. Among the many caves in the territory, it is worth recalling the Cave of Prazziche, today closed to the public, in which numerous discoveries have been unearthed from pieces of pottery, artefacts of the lithic period and remains of wildlife including rhinos.

FESTE ED EVENTI

COME RAGGIUNGERLA

by car

Arrive to Bari by taking the Adriatic motorway (A14) or the Naples – Bari. Here proceed on the Brindisi – Lecce (highway). Just before Lecce take the ring road and then the exit to Santa Maria di Leuca. Near S. Maria di Leuca go for Gagliano del Capo then you get to the picturesque Ciolo.

by train

Ciolo is reached along the Adriatic (Milan – Bologna – Pescara) or through the Rome – Caserta. Once in Lecce an FSE bus can be used that take you up to Gagliano del Capo from where you could get to Ciolo by foot. Alternatively you can use the local FSE trains to reach Gagliano del Capo. (For more information www.salentointrenoebus.it) 

by plane

Ciolo can be reached by flying to Brindisi here you can choose to wait for the terminal that connects the airport to the center of Lecce or rent a car, if you choose the first option go to Gagliano Del Capo by FSE buses. Alternatively you can use the local FSE trains. (For more information www.salentointrenoebus.it). From Gagliano del Capo you could actually reach Ciolo just walking.