Torre Guaceto state nature reserve, State nature reserve in Carovigno, Italy.
Torre Guaceto is a coastal protected area along the Adriatic in Puglia that includes salt marshes, Mediterranean scrubland, and a long stretch of shoreline. The 16th-century tower that gives the reserve its name stands near the water and serves as a landmark for visitors.
The ministry declared the coastal area a wetland of international importance in 1981, preventing the construction of a nuclear power plant. Excavations between 2021 and 2022 uncovered a necropolis with 35 incineration burials, indicating earlier settlements.
The Arabic name Gaw-Sit, meaning place of fresh water, recalls the natural springs that once fed the area. Visitors can still spot traces of this ancient water supply along the beach and wetlands today.
Marked trails lead through salt marshes and Mediterranean scrubland, while consortium information centers provide basic guidance on habitats. The paths along the coast are mostly flat and allow access to the different natural environments within the protected area.
The wetlands attract migratory birds each year that stop here on their route between Africa and Europe. Early morning visitors often spot herons and other wading birds foraging in the shallow waters.
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