Santa Cesarea Terme, Thermal spa town on Adriatic coast, Apulia, Italy
Santa Cesarea Terme is a coastal settlement along the Adriatic that stretches across limestone cliffs and houses four natural thermal caves with sulfurous waters reaching 30 degrees Celsius. These caves rise from the sea and form the foundation of the town's character, with modern wellness centers now combining traditional healing methods with contemporary facilities.
These waters were seen as healing in Roman times, with early people drawing on their power since antiquity. The settlement took its current form in the 1800s when inhabitants began living there permanently and constructing buildings.
Local restaurants showcase traditional Salento cuisine with dishes like orecchiette with turnip greens, served in old stone buildings that anchor the community. The way people here eat and cook blends seafood with vegetables grown in the region, connecting meals to generations of local life.
The thermal facilities remain accessible from spring through autumn, offering treatments with mineral-rich waters under medical supervision. Visitors should know that weather and sea conditions affect the experience, so the warmer months are most pleasant for a visit.
Four distinct caves—Gattulla, Sulfurea, Fetida, and Solfatara—naturally release thermal waters containing sulfur, bromine, and iodine directly into the sea. These minerals mix with seawater, creating a rare experience where visitors can benefit from both thermal and marine waters at the same time.
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