Also on:
http://www.thinktacco.it/Thinktacco/Opinions/Opinions.htmlThe village of Torre Colimena (or Columena) belongs to the municipality of Manduria, in the province of Taranto, region of Apulia. It is about 16 km far from Manduria.Formerly known as Gulimena, it rises on the Ionian coast not far from Punta Prosciutto, territorial boundary between the provinces of Lecce and Taranto. In fact there is the atmosphere of the “border”. This is perhaps a place among the most excluded ones by the tourist tours, but it's worth including in your itinerary!
The area includes the small hills (serre) around Taranto, among which the Monte della Marina, just 100 mt high, but the coast is absolutely characteristic. This is characterized by beautiful beaches and rocky outcrops.
http://www.panoramio.com/map/#lt=40.2998779&ln=17.7431447&z=4&k=2Behind a beautiful strip of sand dunes (a bit eroded but in the process of recovery) there are ancient basins, used for fish-breeding and draining of marshes, and the magnificent "Salina Vecchia". An old abandoned salt-pan that has a rich bird life and unusual vegetation.
There are archaeological and naturalistic tours. It’s an excellent place for hiking and cycling.
http://www.mtb-forum.it/community/forum/showthread.php?t=108658The tower is just one of many you can find along our coasts, built during the reign of Charles V in order to protect the Land of Otranto by the raids of pirates and Saracens in search of booty and slaves to be sold in the East markets.Torre Colimena was built around 1568 by master Camillo Chiarello, a builder from Lecce who also took by contract, in the same period, the construction of Torre Inserraglio. Unfortunately, serious health conditions of the manufacturer and his death in 1570, caused very long delay in delivery of the work; however, it was completed by his brother Donato in two-year as established.Originally the tower was about 14 meters high, ideally divided in half by the characteristic bead string course (cordolo marcapiano). The summit is still decorated with curtain walls resting on corbels. Each window is protected by an embrasure and in the wall, where the only door still remains, there are even three of it.The main entrance, reached by a beautiful stone staircase, was once connected to it by a drawbridge, whose existence is evidenced by a cavity in the wall. Particularly interesting are the arquebusiers, which show as our towers were beginning to adapt to new weapons.Among the weapons supplied to the horsemen of the tower, there were two falconets, two small-caliber cannons: the falconet was, in fact, especially popular in the reign of Charles V and was able to shoot bullets of 5 to 7 cm in diameter. It was light and easy.But something makes this tower completely different from the others visible along the coasts of Terra d'Otranto: structures built on top of the tower increase its height by an additional 6 meters, reaching about 20. Probably one of the tallest towers in Salento! These structures are designed to make the building suitable for other purposes, no longer military.Today it is a charming home. The visitor can overcome the scruples of discretion, ring the bell and visit some rooms of the tower. Envying the lucky people, do not forget to also consider their distress in keeping open such a structure to the public.
