CENTRO STORICO

Stroll through the pedestrian streets of Santa Maria, and head back down to the lungomare. There are still some vestiges of the past, such as the Torre Pagliarola, built in the 15th century to defend the coastline against pirate and Turkish incursions. Behind it, the Palazzo Belmonte is now a hotel. Walk along the bay to the "delle Gatte" port, a two-storey arcaded structure dating back to the 12th century, where goods traded by sea were stored. Admire the fishermen's boats and the Madonna degli Abissi in the port.