Poetry Cave

The natural pool of Salento

We were speechless in front of this stunning sight of nature, but we had to stay focused on it.

Actually it was so difficult, but we strongly wanted to shot some great pics that day.

So, we tried to don’t think about the amazing experience we could get diving and swimming in one of the most beautiful natural swimming pool in the whole world.

Exactly! The Poetry Cave | ita: Grotta della Poesia | is a natural swimming pool located in the Roca Vecchia village on the Adriatic coastline between the cities of Lecce and Otranto.

It is a part of the Marine Areas of Melendugno town and very close to other natural points of interest. Indeed, you spend just a few minutes to reach the Two Sister Beach | ita: Spiaggia delle Due Sorelle | in Torre dell’Orso and The Sea Stacks of Sant’Andrea | ita: I Faraglioni di Sant’Andrea | in the area of Torre Sant’Andrea (LE).

A little tour on the Adriatic coastline from Lecce to Otranto is a must!

Read our Blog article about our Road Trip in Salento

Don’t miss these incredible places, the typical delicious food made in Puglia will give you the power you need to explore them. But, if you’re coming in the summertime, don’t forget your sun lotion, it will save you while visiting the area.

Archaeology and history at Roca

The Poetry Cave | ita: Grotta della Poesia | is placed in a bigger Archaeological Site.

Next to it, there are the ruins of the Castle walls, the sighting tower built during the sixteenth century, and the Sacred Place dedicated to the Madonna of Roca.

But most important is the second and smaller Cave, some km far from the main one. Both of the caves have tunnels to get directly to the sea, by a swim or a little boat.

The Small Cave has more archaeological relevance than the biggest one because of the Messapian (but also Latin and Greek) inscriptions rediscovered on it by archaeologists.

Instead, the most famous Poetry Cave | ita: Grotta della Poesia | is very charming for its elliptic shape and the bigger size that gives you’all the chance to have a great bath after taking a huge dive of 5 meters.

Why is it known as Poetry Cave?

The name descends from a wonderful tale. Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess who loved to swim in the clear water of the Cave, so, many poets came to Roca to dedicate her their poems.

Differently, if we want to be more realistic, there’s also a much more scientific reason why people call it Poetry Cave.

In the Greek language “Posia” is a water source, then probably that gave the name to this site, which obviously has a very long history.

We really advise you a little stop to admire this amazing landscape, but also to enjoy the clear blue-green water of the Poetry Cave.

Some important suggestions: first of all, bring your own swimsuit and the suntan lotion, then essential are also proper shoes to walk on the rock, it’s safer!

Now, start dreaming about your trip to Puglia and swimming in its clear and pristine seawater!

Click on the map below to directly get the direction.

Update > From 2020, the area has a limited number of tourists. You need to get a ticket and probably cannot have a swim into the Cave because now it is recognized as a protect Archaeological Area.