Far from the beaches, the hinterland of Salento is also a world to discover. A few kilometers from Gallipoli (about 12 km) we find Tuglie, a village nestled on the northern offshoots of the Serre Salentine. Here nature changes its appearance. Traces of man are scattered throughout the countryside, from the expanses of olive trees and vineyards to the highest and most undulating stretches of the hills.
The historic center of Tuglie
Wandering around Salento in winter means discovering a welcoming land that, however, shows a different face than when it is summer. At certain times of the day, in the early afternoon or in the evening, the atmosphere is intimate and silent but still suggestive.
The history of Tuglie has very ancient origins and the menhirs visible in the surrounding countryside testify to it, as often happens in the villages of Salento. The charm of the past is also preserved in the traces of the ancient settlement of the Tulli, a population who colonized the area also taking advantage of the presence of numerous natural caves called "Grotte Passaturi" or "old houses" because they were used as houses. The heart of the historic center of Tuglie is in the central Piazza Garibaldi, where the main church dedicated to Santa Maria Annunziata stands, recognizable by the large and elegant façade, preceded by a balustrade with the Lecce stone colonnade. And if the scent of sweets and coffee tickles the nose, also in Piazza Garibaldi, there is the historic Caffè Provenzano, a meeting point active since 1920 that welcomes visitors in a well-kept retro-style atmosphere. Continuing to walk, it is inevitable to enter the alleys of the old Tuglie where there is a continuous succession of courtyards, old wells, "focaliri" (old fireplaces), piles and large arches typical of the historic center of Tugli, which form large arcades between a house and the other, especially in the picturesque Rione Santa Lucia.
Sanctuary of Monte Grappa
The Sanctuary of Monte Grappa, about 1.5 km from Piazza Garibaldi, is one of a kind. Almost like a guardian of the village of Tuglie, the sanctuary is located on a hill overlooking a beautiful landscape. The building, built in 1940 on the model of the Sanctuary on Monte Grappa in Veneto, commemorates the fallen of the war of 1915-18. From the square there are wide streets lined with pines and eucalyptus trees and the whole area is a destination for visitors and tourists who like to spend their holidays in nature. It takes very little time to visit the sanctuary but it is possible to take advantage of it for a walk in the park of the pines and to enjoy the panoramic view up to glimpse the coast of Gallipoli. & Nbsp;
