Castrignano del Capo, Italian comune
Castrignano del Capo is a small town in the province of Lecce, located on a promontory at the southern tip of the Salento peninsula. The settlement features narrow cobblestone streets lined with ancient stone buildings arranged around a central core, along with various defensive structures dating from medieval and early modern times.
People inhabited this area as far back as the Paleolithic period, with evidence found in caves along the coast. In the Middle Ages, when the nearby settlement of Vereto was destroyed by Saracen raids, residents built a fortress called Castrum, which eventually became the foundation of today's town.
The name Castrignano comes from the Latin word 'Castrum', meaning fortress, reflecting how defense needs shaped the settlement's origins. Today, the layout of narrow streets and stone buildings still shows how people organized their lives around protection and community.
The best way to explore the village is on foot through its narrow streets, as vehicle access is limited in the historic center. Its proximity to the sea and to the Santa Maria di Leuca sanctuary with its lighthouse makes it a good starting point for day trips along the southern coast.
Caves along the coast contain prehistoric artifacts and inscriptions in Greek and Latin, preserving thousands of years of history. Some of these underground chambers are only accessible from the sea and offer glimpses into the distant human settlement of the region.
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