Castro is an Italian town of 2,488 inhabitants in the province of Lecce. Located along the east coast of the Salento peninsula, the town is formed by the town of medieval origin, situated on a promontory of 98m above sea level, and from the lower part of Castro Marina, built around the harbor. Bathing and fishing center, it boasts ancient origins as the heir of the Roman Castrum Minervae. It was one of the first cities in Salento to be elevated to the rank of county; it was also an Episcopal seat until 1818. The territory covers 4.44 square kilometers and is the third-common area of the entire region. It is characterized by small mountains sloping sharply towards the sea, and reaches the highest point with Monte Mattia, at 123m above sea level.