But it is not only about nature! Besides the Aragonese tower, whose iconic profile rises above the coastline, the reserve also contains archaeological remains showing that the area hosted human settlements for at least 2,500 years. The earliest traces date back, in fact, to the Bronze Age, continuing into the Roman period, when Torre Guaceto became an important trading centre connected to the Via Appia Traiana. In the Middle Ages, the port was frequented by the Saracens and known for its fresh water, mentioned even by the Arab geographer Edrisi in 1164.
The activities
The Torre Guaceto Management Consortium is tireless in its mission of environmental protection. One of its most important activities is the recovery and rehabilitation programme for Caretta caretta sea turtles, a species that is, sadly, endangered. Every year, in fact, dozens of injured or struggling turtles are rescued, treated and, where possible, released back into the sea once they have recovered.
The “Luigi Cantoro” Recovery Centre, which can be visited thanks to the presence of volunteers, allows visitors to see first-hand the importance of the work done by the reserve to protect these splendid animals, and also raises public awareness of crucial issues such as the impact of plastic on marine biodiversity.
In addition to caring for turtles and other wild animals such as birds and mammals, the organisation runs numerous educational and recreational activities. These include guided tours, educational workshops for schools, and sustainability workshops, which aim to spread environmental awareness and to teach new generations the importance of preserving marine and terrestrial ecosystems for the future of our planet.
The recent extension of the marine protected area
Fortunately, the efforts that the Torre Guaceto Marine Protected Area has made over the years to protect a territory rich in biodiversity have not only been recognised, but also rewarded with an important extension of the protected area and the creation of two new zones, of 600 and 90 hectares, where fishing is completely prohibited.
The news, welcomed by the local community, is a beacon of light both for the areas affected by the expansion, which will be able to count on new resources and opportunities, and for our waters, too often exploited to an unbelievable extent.
The theme of sustainable fishing, which also appears in Goal 14 of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda, is in fact strongly pursued by the reserve’s policies, which promote low-impact fishing practices, combining environmental protection with local economic development.
Ultimately, this recent expansion has been a crucial turning point in guaranteeing even more effective protection of marine and coastal ecosystems, including critical habitats, strengthening the existing protection network, and increasing the resilience of the local ecosystem against the threats of climate change and human activities.
An inclusive protected area and one of the best internationally
Further confirmation of the remarkable work Torre Guaceto has done over the years comes from the prestigious awards it has received, not only nationally. One of these is the “Inclusive Park” 2024 award, which celebrates protected areas that stand out for accessibility and inclusiveness. Torre Guaceto was thus rewarded for its efforts to make the area usable by people of all ages and abilities, ensuring that everyone can also take part in the activities organised.
For its excellence in managerial expertise and sustainable management, Torre Guaceto then won the “MPA Awards”, a European award dedicated to the best marine protected areas, presented in the European Parliament during the European Ocean Days 2024.
Torre Guaceto, together with France’s Côte Agathoise, was one of the two protected areas rewarded this year, representing an example of excellence for Italy and Europe and a positive model of governance for European coastal communities. In an age when sustainability has become a global priority, the Puglian reserve therefore reminds us that a future in which humans and nature can coexist in harmony is possible.
Ultimately, if you love nature, sustainability and a sea rich in biodiversity, and if you are also intrigued by history and culture which, as so often happens in our country, permeate even the most unusual places, Torre Guaceto is the perfect destination!
For more information on Torre Guaceto, the activities it organises and the awards it has received: https://www.riservaditorreguaceto.it/index.php/it/
