La Cutura Salentina is a 35-hectare estate near Otranto between the towns of Giuggianello and Palmariggi.
Restructuring the old 18th-century Salento farmhouse, the owner, a collector of plants, especially tropical ones, wanted to cultivate his passion by creating a wonderful botanical garden introducing rare plants from all over the world.
Guided tour of La Cutura botanical garden
The facility can be visited by all, subject to prior booking with a guide who will take us to a corner of unspoilt nature in search of rare plants. We begin our long walk by describing the various environments:
- The Greenhouse
At the entrance, we notice a greenhouse with 2000 tropical plants from all parts of the world. Built of iron and polycarbonate, it is 16 metres high with controlled temperature and humidity. Here the tall cactus plants take us back to the western films of our childhood where their silhouette transported us to the arid Mexican deserts crossed by dusty wagons and angry Indians.
- The Rock Garden
Full of wonder and eager for discovery, we arrive at the rock garden in a typically Salento rural setting, where we can admire several varieties of Agave and as many Opuntias, all surrounded by Cactaceae.
- The Natural Pond
The guide takes us on to the natural Papyrus and Water Lily Pond, which collects rainwater and gives life to Bamboos, Hyacinths and Irises, a little glimpse of ancient Egypt.
- The Salento Mediterranean Garden
This part is characterised by the typical plants of the Mediterranean Scrub and is therefore rich in: Conifers, Broom, Juniper, Olearia, Strawberry Trees, Myrtle and Thyme; then put on display we notice 70 varieties of Medicinal Plants where special tags indicate their curative properties.
- Il giardino dei Semplici
This part is called Dei Semplici because it was once used for grazing livestock. Today it gives space to intensely perfumed plants such as Mint, Kermes, Lavender and Camphor, which are also medicinal, and can be used for mild intestinal ailments.
- The Rose Garden
A part of this show is dedicated to the Roses, with a Rose Garden that has a hundred or so varieties, which during the flowering period manage to intoxicate us with colours and smells.
- The Holm oaks wood
Salento’s holm oaks wood is another corner of this extraordinary garden. Here we can admire centuries-old sentinel oaks that over the centuries have provided shelter for thousands of migratory birds and wealth for mankind. In summer, cultural events such as concerts and plays are organised.
- The secret garden
We are at the end of the path and almost hidden from everything else we find the secret garden, so called because it guards the rarest plants of the Salento botanical garden, such as rare citrus plants, dwarf conifers, gardenias from remote places; inside, two small greenhouses guard flowers of unprecedented beauty, tropical orchids, exotic fruits and rare perfumed essences.
- The animals
To complete the naturalistic circle, the cutura of Giuggianello also offers a large number of known and lesser-known animals such as: pigeons, hens, ducks, swans, peacocks, pheasants, horses and baby goats that graze in the open air, delighting adults and children alike.
Where to eat: La Cutura Giuggianello Restaurant
After the walk you may get hungry, the estate offers a restaurant service of typical Salento cuisine with all the traditional Salento specialities.
Towards the exit there is a small space for the sale of seedlings, with a rich selection, so that with a few pennies we can take home the souvenir of a day spent in the midst of nature and friendship together with a piece of Salento that never ceases to amaze us given its thousand faces.
Attentive travellers will not fail to discover by searching in the nooks and crannies of history and tradition, the history and tradition of the people who, living on the borders of our beautiful Italy with stubbornness and sacrifice, have managed to emerge from anonymity to become a full part of this beautiful nation that the whole world envies us.
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