Southern Via Francigena

From Lecce to Leuca

Via Francigena del Sud

A beautiful journey through southern Puglia, between the sacred and the profane, from Lecce to Capo di Leuca, the Finis Terrae, to discover important Christian monuments and even more ancient pagan places of worship. Through ancient roads, quiet villages, and sleepy countryside, you'll discover the history and culture of this corner of the world.

DAY 1: Lecce, the capital of Baroque.

The Cathedral and Sant'Oronzo, the majestic Roman amphitheater, and the magnificent rose window of Santa Croce will be your landmarks. The city also bears witness to the passage of pilgrims, such as the Church of the Trinity, the last vestige of a great hospital, and the medieval Church of Saints Nicholas and Cataldo, the burial place of the last Norman king, Tancred of Lecce. Overnight stay in Lecce.

DAY 2: On the road to Vernole.

Saving Sant'Oronzo and the mighty Roman column that once marked the end of the Appian Way, you'll begin your journey along the Via Francigena in the south toward Santa Maria di Leuca.

You'll soon find yourself immersed in the intense scents and colors of the Mediterranean scrub. You'll reach the village of Acaya, one of the few Renaissance fortified citadels remaining intact in the whole of southern Italy. Just outside the citadel walls is the Chapel of San Paolo, which dates back to the mid-18th century and is the oldest pilgrimage site, along with Galatina, for victims of the "tarantula bite."

Spotting the primitive dry-stone constructions typical of the countryside, the pajare, you'll reach the small village of Vernole, where you'll spend the night.

DAY 3: On the road to Carpignano

After breakfast, you'll continue your journey south.

Passing through the countryside, you'll walk through the Martano area, in the heart of the Grecìa Salentina region. You'll find the Cistercian Monastery: here, they follow the Benedictine rule of "ora et labora," cultivating fruit, citrus, and olive groves, and harvesting Salento medicinal herbs.

You'll continue towards Carpignano Salentino, following the remains of the cart track that formed part of the ancient Trajan-Constantinian road. Carpignano Salentino will amaze you with its significant religious heritage: the Hypogeum Sanctuary of Santa Cristina stands out, famous for the oldest Byzantine frescoes in Puglia.

Overnight stay in Carpignano.

DAY 4: On the way to Otranto

You'll reach the village of Cannole, walking through pine forests, ancient olive groves, and stone walls.

Following the Via Francigena in the south, today you'll encounter two important landmarks for medieval pilgrims: the Anfiano and Torcito farms.

You'll then climb the hill to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Montevergine, still a pilgrimage site: the modern temple hides a crypt frescoed with a Madonna in typical Byzantine style.

The journey continues along the "Giardino Megalitico" of Italy. This enchanting itinerary will take you back in time, along a path among menhirs and dolmens, rich in history and mystery: magical places such as the "Masso della Vecchia," linked to Hercules and the witch who once lived there, the "Dolmen Stabile", or the "Menhir San Paolo", which houses a fresco linking St. Paul to the phenomenon of "tarantism."

The final steps will finally bring you to Otranto, and from the port you can imagine the ancient galleys departing eastward, gazing out over the sea from the splendid bay.

Overnight stay in Otranto.

DAY 5: On the road to Vignacastrisi

Before leaving Otranto, you'll climb the gentle hill of Colle della Minerva, whose name recalls the existence of a temple dedicated to the goddess.

At the top of the steps is the sanctuary of Santa Maria dei Martiri, where a chapel was erected in memory of the massacre of the 800 martyrs in 1480.

Resuming your journey along the pristine coast, the landscape becomes almost lunar-like as you approach Lago Rosso; on the way to Uggiano, you'll glimpse the ruins of the ancient Abbazia di San Nicola di Casole, linked to the history of the Crusades.

You'll reach the village of Uggiano La Chiesa, with its beautiful main square and the Mother Church dedicated to Mary Magdalene. After passing the two villages of Cocumola and Vitigliano, and after a few meters on a busy road, you'll return to quieter roads to reach the center of Vignacastrisi, where you'll spend the night.

DAY 6: On the Road to Tricase

Today's itinerary along the Via Francigena in Puglia takes place partly in the Otranto-Leuca Natural Park.

After passing the Chapel of the Madonna di Costantipoli, you'll continue toward the center of Marittima, with its castle-like baronial palace, adjacent to the majestic Torre Baldassarre. From the heights, you'll enjoy magnificent, breathtaking views protected by the legendary Saracen towers. There will be plenty of opportunities to reach the sea, carefully choosing your downhill path.

For the final stretch, the ancient pilgrimage route winds through eucalyptus, pine, and oak trees typical of this area before reaching Tricase, with its scenic village.

To end the day, enjoy a refreshing iced coffee with almond milk at the café in Piazza Pisanelli, overlooked by the castle of the Gallone Princes.

Overnight stay in Tricase.

DAY 7: On the road to Capo di Leuca

Today you'll travel the final southern stretch of the Via Francigena in the South.

Leaving Tricase behind, you'll reach the center of Tiggiano with its splendid baronial palace. In this area, the towns are very close to each other and follow one another almost without interruption, so after a while you'll reach Corsano, where the churches of San Biagio and Santa Sofia are worth visiting. Continuing through open countryside, flanked by classic dry stone walls, you'll reach Gagliano del Capo, with the Church of San Rocco and the Convent of San Francesco di Paola. The final stretch is on roads where the view stretches across the countryside, occasionally catching glimpses of the sea, and will lead you to the Sanctuary of Finibus Terrae in Santa Maria di Leuca.

Two angels with open arms welcome and protect the pilgrims entering the sanctuary square, their wings stretched toward the sky, a reminder that the journey—the road to Jerusalem—lies beyond the sea.

DAY 8: Goodbye from Leuca

After breakfast, end of services.

Before leaving Leuca, if you haven't already, treat yourself to a boat tour to discover the splendid sea caves.

For cycling enthusiasts, there's the Via Francigena tour, available for mountain biking or gravel biking, to go with a group or with whoever you choose!

For more information SLOW ACTIVE TOUR