Torre Santa Sabina between beaches and coastal history

Between sandy beaches and coastal cliffs

Torre Santa Sabina, an area of the municipality of Carovigno near Brindisi, combines small white-sand beaches with public and managed sandy beaches as well as attractive coastal cliffs. At Spiaggia della Mezzaluna, the strongly curved shape is striking, reminiscent of a crescent moon. Behind the beach, the Mezzaluna stream forms a pond; the area is home to species-rich vegetation and wildlife. When observing the coast at Mezzaluna, the pond behind the beach is as noticeable as the curve.

Sea and nature at Torre Guaceto

Along the coast of the Torre Guaceto protected area, sandy beaches alternate with short stretches of cliffs. In the early 1980s, Torre Guaceto was designated a wetland of international importance. The SAC “Torre Guaceto e Macchia S. Giovanni” contains 20 habitat types under the European Union Habitats Directive, including six priority types. The Torre Guaceto marine reserve can be explored with a mask and snorkel.

The Al Gawsit visitor center of the Riserva di Torre Guaceto features historical-cultural and historical-archaeological exhibitions, interactive stations, videos, and a 3D reconstruction of the Bronze Age village of Torre Guaceto. At the visitor center, the 3D reconstruction complements the exhibitions, interactive stations, and videos with a spatial representation of the Bronze Age village.

Traces from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages

The protohistoric settlement of Torre Santa Sabina dates from the 14th to the 12th century BC. Preserved features include postholes, hut remains, enclosures, palisades eroded by the sea, and two semi-subterranean structures. The protohistoric settlement is older than the Roman mansio and the medieval Ostedale, documented since 1226. The two semi-subterranean structures add another architectural feature to the settlement remains.

The Roman mansio ad Speluncae near Torre Santa Sabina was a posting station on the Via Traiana that provided accommodation for travelers and shelter for horses. The posting station connected the route of the Via Traiana with accommodation and shelter. At the port of S. Sabina, the medieval Ostedale dei Cavalli teutonici has been documented since 1226. A new Torre Santa Sabina was built in the 16th century as part of a fortification program to secure the coast. The coastal watchtowers Torre Santa Sabina, Torre Pozzelle to the north, and Torre Guaceto to the south stood in visual contact with one another. The connection between the three towers thus extended from the town to the north and south.

A distinctive tower on the beach

Torre di Santa Sabina stands above Spiaggia dei Camerini. It is considered one of Apulia’s three octagonal coastal watchtowers; its shape is associated with that of a priest’s hat. The designation “priest’s hat” refers to the octagonal shape of the structure. Spiaggia dei Camerini is a freely accessible beach in the center of Santa Sabina with a shallow, sandy seabed.

More destinations in the area

Selva Di Fasano, Mesagne, Torre Santa Susanna, Lido Specchiolla, Fasano, Torre Canne, Grotta Figazzano, Savelletri

To the overarching travel overview: Brindisi.