Parco naturale regionale Salina di Punta della Contessa

Salina di Punta della Contessa is a regional park along the coast near Brindisi with shallow water basins and channels that direct rainwater to the sea. The landscape features open water, reed beds, and patches of land that form a unique ecosystem supporting diverse wildlife.

The area became a protected natural reserve in 2002 to preserve local ecosystems and native wildlife. This designation helped safeguard the coastal environment in this region from further development.

The park serves as a home for many bird species and other wildlife that depend on these waters for survival. Visitors walking through the area can observe how the local ecosystem sustains different animals throughout the year.

You can explore the park on marked paths that run between Capo di Torre Cavallo and Punta della Contessa. Wear sturdy shoes as some trails pass through wet areas and terrain can be uneven underfoot.

Within the park lies the Foggia di Rau canal, a specialized habitat for rare European pond turtles. This waterway also attracts numerous migratory bird species that stop here to rest and feed.