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Hidden villages and off-the-beaten-path spots in Apulia, far from the crowds

Beyond the best-known spots, Apulia hides corners that are still quiet and authentic. Among the hidden villages of the interior, the ravines of the south, the lesser-visited white towns, the trullo-dotted countryside and secluded coves on the Adriatic and Ionian seas, here you travel slowly. Discover an Apulia far from mass tourism, made of stone, sea and tradition.

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Grotta della Poesia: the Messapian sanctuary Puglia shared too widely (Grotta della Poesia, Roca Vecchia, Puglia, Italy) Grotta della Poesia, Roca Vecchia, Puglia, Italy
Archaeological sites

Grotta della Poesia: the Messapian sanctuary Puglia shared too widely

On the Adriatic coast of Salento, a limestone pool at Roca Vecchia preserves hundreds of Messapian, Greek and Latin votive inscriptions carved between the 9th century BCE and the 3rd century CE: an ancient water sanctuary rediscovered as a photogenic swimming hole. Since National Geographic Traveler ranked it among the world's most beautiful natural pools, summer crowds have put the carvings at risk. Bathing inside the cave is now banned. Here is why, and how to visit with respect.

Jul 19, 2026
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