"Le Cesine 2025" Open Day

LE CESINE 2025 - OPEN DAY SEPTEMBER 26TH 2025

Join us on Friday, September 26th for the ArcheoSubUniSalento "Le Cesine 2025" Open Day to discover the results of the new underwater and coastal archaeological research conducted by the Department of Cultural Heritage of the University of Salento, under the scientific direction of Professor Rita Auriemma, in the area of ​​the Statal Natural Reserve and WWF Oasis "Le Cesine" in the Municipality of Vernole (excavation concession granted by the Ministry of Culture through SABAP Brindisi Lecce, DDG-ABAP no. 1201 of 24/07/2025).
The archaeologists of the ArcheoSubUniSalento team will welcome visitors in Posto San Giovanni, at the Riforma Agraria water pumping station in San Cataldo di Vernole (Lecce), to lead them on archaeowalking and snorkeling tours to discover the remains, mostly from the Roman era, found in the sea and along the coast between San Cataldo and Le Cesine. These are the evidences of a major port complex and include the massive foundations of a submerged pier (already excavated in previous campaigns), the so-called "Submerged Church," the remains of walls, and the new structures uncovered this year.
The tours will be organized in groups of up to 15 people each, with scheduled departures at 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM, and 2:30 PM.

Reservations are required by emailing archeosubunisalento@gmail.com and minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All participants must bring their own personal equipment (mask, snorkel, fins, water shoes, and possibly a wetsuit). After a general introduction to the site, visits to the various points of interest will begin, along the coast and in the water.
For adverse weather or other unfavorable conditions, the event will be postponed.
In the evening, the ArcheoSubUniSalento team will be at the Convento degli Olivetani with various outreach activities open to all as part of the European Researchers' Night, organized within the European ERN-ApuliaMED project.
All information and updates will be available on the Facebook and Instagram pages @ArcheoSubUniSalento.

This year's research campaign has the usual collaboration of Politecnico di Torino and the support of  Municipality of Vernole, Port Authority and Coast Guard (Otranto District Maritime Office and San Cataldo Local Maritime Office),  San Benedetto del Tronto First Diving Unit,  Le Cesine State Natural Reserve and WWF Oasis, Library and Museum Hub of Lecce and Salento Navigando. Thanks also go to ARIF Puglia,  Consorzio di Bonifica Centro Sud-Puglia, Masseria Fossa, Nautica Mangè, Porto Turistico di San Foca.
Both the excavation and the Open Day are organized as part of the MArEA (Mediterranean, Archaeology, Ethnography, Environment) project, funded as part of the "CHANGES - Cultural Heritage Active Innovation for Sustainable Society" project – Spoke 1 "Historical Landscapes, Traditions and Cultural Identities" (Project Code PE00000020, CUP H53C22000860006) through European funding from NextGenerationEU (PNRR Mission 4, Component 2, Investment 1.3 NextGenerationEU).
The MArEA project aims to reinterpret the history of Puglia from the sea, combining archaeology, environment and ethnography to study and enhance Puglia's coastal and underwater landscapes.