Torre Colimena, Coastal settlement in Manduria, Italy
Torre Colimena is a coastal settlement along the Salento shoreline with sandy beaches and shallow reef formations facing the Ionian Sea. The area spreads across low, open terrain with salt flats that shape the landscape and extend toward the water.
The watchtower was built in 1568 by order of Spanish King Carlo V to defend the coast against Turkish raids. This structure marks the origin of the settlement, which grew around this defensive outpost.
The name Torre Colimena refers to the watchtower that defines the settlement and its local character. The chapel at the center serves as a gathering place where people celebrate religious occasions and maintain traditions together.
The settlement is easiest to reach through the nearby town of Manduria, located just a few kilometers away. Visitors should note that the area is relatively flat and open, offering little shade in sunny weather.
Pink flamingos, ducks, and falcons nest in the salt flats surrounding the settlement, having adapted to this rare mix of water and land. These bird species have used this flat terrain as shelter and feeding ground for generations.
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