A natural pool in the Messapian site of Roca Vecchia
On the Adriatic coast of the Salento, near Melendugno, the Grotta della Poesia has been listed by international media among the most beautiful natural swimming pools in the world. It is a large sinkhole in the rocky coast, formed by the collapse of the roof of a karst cave, filled with crystal-clear turquoise sea water that enters through an underground tunnel. Swimmers and divers jump into it from the rocks, a few metres high.
The name, "Cave of Poetry", comes from a legend: a beautiful princess used to bathe here, and poets from all over came to admire her and were inspired to write verses. Others think the name comes from the Greek "posia", fresh water. The cave lies in the archaeological area of Roca Vecchia, one of the most important sites in Apulia, a fortified settlement inhabited from the Bronze Age, in contact with the Mycenaean world, and later a Messapian city, with massive walls. In a second, smaller cave nearby, the Grotta Piccola della Poesia, have been found thousands of inscriptions in Messapian, Greek and Latin, left by sailors and pilgrims who venerated a deity here. Ruins of a medieval castle complete the site.
Tip: in summer the cave is very crowded and access may be regulated; jumping is at your own risk, check the depth and the sea conditions.
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