Pietro Micca, sunk during World War II with its crew of 58 men. Legend Prehistoric remains have been found in some the about 66 caves of the coast of Leuca, like Grotta Porcinara and Grotta del Diavolo. According to Luigi Tasselli (17th century) the town takes its name from "Leucasia", a white beautiful mermaid ( from ancient Greek λευκός = white, bright) who conquered sailors and farmers by her charming voice. In the year 1992 the Salento writer and poet Carlo Stasi created a story (mistakenly believed a legend) on the siren Leucasia imagining that he had fallen in love with a handsome messapian, the shepherd Melìsso, who rejected her because he was in love with the beautiful Arìstula. The siren took revenge by overwhelming the two lovers with the waves unleashed by her two tails and their bodies were petrified by the goddess Minerva in the two points that today are called Punta Rìstola, from the name of Aristula, and Punta Mèliso, from Melisso. Lost her voice, Leucasia committed suicide and her petrified bones would be the white cliffs of Leuca. Santa Maria di Leuca was founded in fact in the early 1st century AD by some monks, after Saint Peter's passage. A cross was built in his honor and after some restructurings, still be there. According to a later legend, Virgin Mary once saved some boats from a storm, and her name was added to that of Leuca. See also Salento Castrignano del Capo Capo Santa Maria di Leuca Lighthouse Gallery References Bibliography Luigi Tasselli, Antichità di Leuca (Lecce 1693, 1859). Antonio Romano, Guida alle grotte e caverne di Leuca (Congedo ed. Galatina 1996) Antonio Caloro, Guida di Leuca (l'estremo Salento tra storia arte e natura), a c. di Mario Cazzato (Congedo editore, Galatina 1996) Michele Rosafio, Leuca Guerra e Navi (Ed. dell'Iride, Tricase 2000) Carlo Stasi, Leucasia (racconti, leggende e poesie di terra, di mare e d'amore...) (AGL, Presicce 1993, 1996, 2001). Carlo Stasi, Leucàsia e Le Due Sorelle (Storie e leggende del Salento), Mancarella Ed., Cavallino, 2008, 2012). External links Photo Gallery Frazioni of the Province of Lecce Localities of Salento Cities and towns in Apulia