Discover Apulia: Torre Guaceto

There are many famous places celebrated all around the world, but there are also lesser known beauties that are definitely worth seeing and experiencing, such as the Marine Area and the Natural Reserve of Torre Guaceto.

Torre Guaceto is a WWF-protected area with extraordinary natural resources lying at a few kilometres from Brindisi and Ostuni, in southern Apulia.

The reserve is named after one of the many towers scattered along the coast.

In the sixteenth century, actually, the Aragon family introduced a new system of defence because of the frequent violent Turkish raids. The system they planned and realized consisted of a series of towers placed along the coast they dominated. The towers were used to communicate using smoke during the day and using fire and ringing bells during the night.

Several activities and excursions are offered at Torre Guaceto.

Here is a summary we drew up for you. We recommend that you visit the official website for more detailed information (www.riservaditorreguaceto.it).

TORRE GUACETO

Protected Marine Area and Natural Reserve of the State of Torre Guaceto.

 WHERE: The Reserve of Torre Guaceto lies at about 15 kilometres north of Brindisi. By car, take the SS Bari-Brindisi. Next take the exit at Serranova towards Punta Penna Grossa. Take the same exit to reach the Visitor Centre in Serranova.

By train, the closest stations are Brindisi and Carovigno (about 15 km).

The reserve stretches 600 ha out into the sea and 1200 ha on land.

 ENVIRONMENT: Freshwater wetland. Mediterranean macchia vegetation, dune barrier (7/10 metres high), coastal seafloor.

The Marine Reserve encompasses a 5 sea mile area in between Penna Grossa and the Apani reef. It is delineated by the 50 metres bathymetry about 1 mile from the coast.

Wetland. The streams are fed by fresh water sources that come from inland via drainage system.

Mediterranean macchia vegetation in the northeast part of the Reserve.

The dune barrier, formed a thousand years ago by the joint action of the wind and the sea on the coast, is 10 metres high and about 800 metres long,

 FLORA AND FAUNA: Beds of reeds (phragmites australis) grow in the wetlands. The pioneer plants grow on the beach. In the macchia, there are juniper, lentisk, myrtle, spiny broom, cistus, thyme, spiny rush and ilex. The allium commutatum grow on the reefs. Among the mammals, there are badgers, weasels and foxes; two couples of marsh harrier live in the marsh and there are also kingfishers, the water rails and the bald coots. The sea is populated by a rich fauna and it is visited by dolphins and the turtle Caretta Caretta. Sometimes, groups of rorquals can be seen offshore.

 WHAT TO DO:

Trekking on bicycle

Tuesday - Sunday

 Discover the scenery of the Park while enjoying a bicycle ride. Pedalling at sunset along the macchia paths and the cattle-tracks that cross the age-old olive groves will be like traveling through time. The bicycle ride allows you to appreciate the whole diversity of the park without worrying about unreachable distances and too little time. It takes 3 hours to cover the paths and the bicycles can be rented on the spot.

Excursions

Tuesday- Thursday- Saturday - Sunday

Walking slowly to encounter and discover nature with hands, eyes,  nose and mouth to see, think and remember. The excursions, accessible to children and beginners, last about 2 and half hours and can be taken in the afternoon along paths of medium or low difficulty.

Seawatching

(only in the summer)

Thursday - Saturday

An immersion in the Mediterranean blue is like a short stroll back from the water to collect sensations and emotions.  We highly recommend snorkelling which is skin diving with mask and flippers. This activity is also for beginners. For each dive, there is a preliminary training course in Serranova (you will be driven to the dive site). The whole activity lasts about an hour and a half. The equipment can be rented on the spot.
All activities will take place inside the Protected Marine area and Natural Reserve of Torre Guaceto and are led by the Park’s expert staff. Further details will be given after booking.

VISITS: To book, please refer to the Didactic Secretary of the Park at the Visitor Centre in Serranova (tel. + 39 0831/989885)

ADMINISTRATION: The “Consorzio di Gestione di Torre Guaceto” was founded at the end of 2000 with the purpose of taking care of the Natural Reserve of the State and of the protected Marine Area.

Founded by the Communes of Carovigno, Brindisi and by WWF Italia (http://www.wwf.it), the purpose of the Consortium is to preserve and improve the area in order to ensure the territory’s social and economic development.