The New Underwater and Coastal Park in Porto Cesareo Has Been Inaugurated

On Friday, July 24, 2026, the new Porto Cesareo Underwater and Coastal Park was officially inaugurated—a project designed to highlight an extraordinary archaeological heritage overlooking the sea and make it accessible to visitors through both land-based and underwater trails. The initiative, carried out as part of the Puglia Region’s “Smart-In Archeology” call for proposals, allows everyone, for the first time, to explore a Bronze Age settlement and a Roman necropolis lying on the seabed off Torre Chianca simply by walking along the shore or snorkeling.

Speakers at the opening ceremony included, among others, the Prefect of Lecce, Natalino Manno; Superintendent Antonio Zunno; the Vice Rector of the University of Salento, Pier Paolo Miglietta; Girolamo Fiorentino, Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage; Pierpaolo Pallotti, Commander of the Gallipoli Harbor Master’s Office; Pasquale Coppola, President of the Marine Protected Area; Francesco Schito, Mayor of Porto Cesareo; and Councilwoman Anna Peluso, as well as the project’s scientific director, Rita Auriemma, project designer Francesco Baratti, the director of the Marine Protected Area Marco Dadamo, and Fabio Pagano, former director of the Campi Flegrei Archaeological Park and the Baia Underwater Park, who outlined the scientific and cultural objectives of the initiative.

Activities open to the public begin on Saturday, July 25, witha full day of free experiences, available by reservation. At 9:30 a.m., the first tour aboard the solar-powered boat will depart from the slipway, while between 9:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., guided tours of the Bronze Age settlement at Scalo di Furno will be organized, featuring archeowalking trails and archeosnorkeling activities from the platform overlooking the submerged area. In the afternoon, from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM, the tours will move to Torre Chianca, where visitors can explore the Roman-era settlement by alternating between walks along the coast and snorkeling excursions to discover the submerged necropolis. Also in the afternoon, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., guided canoe and SUP tours will depart from Scalo di Furno along the coastal archaeological routes.

Throughout the day, an electric bike rental service will also be available at the Park’s Infopoint in Piazzale Aldo Moro, allowing visitors to easily travel between the various archaeological sites included in the initiative. Participation in the guided tours and rentals is free, but reservations are required. Minors may participate in the activities only if accompanied by an adult.

The opening day will conclude at 9:30 p.m. with the Candle Harmony Concert, a musical event that will mark the opening of the new Porto Cesareo Submerged and Coastal Park, destined to become a landmark for the promotion of the archaeological and natural heritage of the Apulian coast.

“The Porto Cesareo Underwater and Coastal Park restores to the community a heritage that has remained hidden for centuries, preserved by the water,” stated Auriemma. “Years of underwater research and study now find a form of presentation open to everyone: not a museum to be viewed, but a cultural landscape to be explored, on foot and by swimming. It is public archaeology in the fullest sense of the term.”

“The ribbon-cutting ceremony and the official opening of the Porto Cesareo Submerged Archaeological Park,” commented Mayor Schito, “represent a very important milestone for Porto Cesareo and its citizens, but also for all the people of Apulia. This is a unique heritage site that preserves precious evidence of our history and our identity. I would like to thank the University of Salento, the Marine Protected Area, the Harbor Master’s Office, and all the departments of the Municipality of Porto Cesareo and our employees who have long been engaged in projects and surveys, and I thank all the professionals involved and the partner institutions, who have funded and believed in this project, transforming a dream into an extraordinary reality. Thanks also go to the administrators who, over the years, have succeeded one another, contributing their commitment and vision to the creation of the Park. Today we are presenting the community and visitors with an asset of inestimable historical, cultural, archaeological, artistic, and tourist value—an asset that will serve as a major driver of growth for the future of tourism in the Porto Cesareo community.”

“The inauguration of the Submerged Archaeological Park,” added Councilwoman Peluso, “marks a milestone in the effort to highlight the natural and historical heritage of Porto Cesareo. This project combines environmental protection, scientific research, and cultural promotion, offering residents and visitors a unique experience that brings our history to life through a landscape and marine setting of extraordinary beauty. As councilor for Parks and Coastal Towers, I am deeply pleased with a project that strengthens the region’s identity and expands the tourism offering through a sustainable, innovative, and environmentally friendly model. The park will serve as a landmark for cultural and archaeological tourism, helping to make Porto Cesareo an increasingly attractive destination year-round.”

The New Underwater and Coastal Park in Porto Cesareo Has Been Inaugurated

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