Marine di Melendugno

The coastal site of Roca Vecchia lies along the Salento coastline, between the Bay of Torre dell’Orso and San Foca. Today it attracts thousands of visitors thanks to its crystal‑clear waters and the beauty of its cliffs, rich in both magic and history.
Since ancient times, Roca’s strategic position along the navigation routes between the Aegean and the central Mediterranean and its proximity to the Illyrian coast (about 70 km away) across the Strait of Otranto made it an important crossroads for exchanges between East and West.
Thanks to its closeness to Greece, Roca became a gateway through which Greek culture entered the region in all its forms. One of its most enduring legacies is the Griko language, still spoken today in nine towns of the Grecìa Salentina.
Roca is also the site of major archaeological excavations showing that it was inhabited as early as the Bronze Age (15th–11th century BC). Evidence suggests continuous occupation through the Iron Age and later by the Messapians (4th–3rd century BC), who left behind substantial remains: defensive walls, a funerary monument, tombs, and kilns. The Messapian city is believed to have been called Thuria Sallentina.
The site appears to have been abandoned afterward, as no traces from the Roman period have been found.
During the Early Middle Ages, Basilian monks from the Eastern Roman Empire—forced to flee due to religious persecution by the Byzantine Empire settled in the natural coastal caves.
Roca was fortified in the 14th century by Gualtieri VI of Brienne, Count of Lecce.

In 1459, thirteen Jewish families lived here, but they were forced to flee to nearby towns in 1480 following the Turkish invasion. It is believed that during this period the inhabitants of Roca founded the nearby settlements of Melendugno, Calimera, Borgagne, and Vernole.
In 1544, Roca was destroyed by the Spanish governor Ferrante Loffredo under orders from Charles V. As a result, Roca Nuova was built just 3–4 km inland.
By 1805, Roca Nuova had grown to about 150 families living in the surrounding farmsteads.

During the early decades of the 19th century, however, the village gradually depopulated until it was completely abandoned in 1925.

Torre dell’Orso is one of the most beautiful and captivating places on the Adriatic coast of Salento, renowned for its crystal‑clear waters and its stunning beach.
Its name comes from the coastal watchtower that has stood here since the 1500s, a symbol of this enchanting destination in the province of Lecce.
The origin of the name “Orso” (“bear”) is uncertain. Some say it refers to the monk seal that once inhabited these waters; others link it to the surname *Orso*, the name of an ancient landowner; and some associate it with Saint Ursula, considering that nearby towns are named after saints San Foca and Sant’ Andrea.
What is certain is that Torre dell’Orso is a truly magical place. Its sea has earned both the Blue Flag and the Five Sails award from the Touring Club for water quality and environmental excellence.
The beach is a crescent‑shaped bay of fine white sand stretching for about 800 meters, framed by high cliffs and a lush pine forest. In summer, it comes alive with thousands of visitors from all over the world. There are beach clubs and fully equipped lidos, as well as areas of free beach.
The bay of Torre dell’Orso is naturally sheltered from the winds, making swimming possible even when the sea is slightly rough. The best winds for enjoying its spectacular waters are the Scirocco and Libeccio, which turn the sea into a mirror of colors ranging from pale blue to deep turquoise and navy.

Offshore, visitors can admire the iconic “Due Sorelle” (“Two Sisters”), two majestic sea stacks rising from the water and creating a breathtaking panorama. A local legend tells of two sisters who dove into the sea to cool off on a hot summer day. The waves suddenly grew stronger and pulled them under. Moved by their tragic fate, the gods transformed them into stone so they could remain together forever.

Carved into the northern cliff of the bay are the Basilian caves, while on the southern side lies the Grotta di San Cristoforo, carved into the rock just before Punta Matarico. This pagan cave dates back to the second half of the 4th century BC and features a rectangular chamber with a terrace overlooking the sea.
Studies suggest it was used as a Christian place of worship from the 5th to the 12th century AD. Over the centuries, its walls were covered with inscriptions many unfortunately damaged in 1888 when De Simone ordered their removal. Later excavations in 1981 and 1983 recovered fragments that confirm the cave’s religious significance for the people of nearby Roca and for travelers who arrived or departed from the bay to pray and give thanks to Saint Christopher, protector of travelers.