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Regions in Italy go Puglia go Province Lecce go Gallipoli
Province of Lecce

Gallipoli, Region Puglia (Apulia), Italy

Situated on the Ionian Sea, along the western coast of the Salento Peninsula, and is divided into two parts: the Borgo, which is the more recent town, and the Historical Center, located on an island connected to the mainland by a long bridge on arches, where also the harbor is situated.

Info

Altitude: 12 m a.s.l -- Population: ca. 20,000 inhabitants -- Zip/postal code: 73014 -- Phone Area Code: 0833 -- Patron Saint: San Sebastiano, Santa Cristina, Sant'Agata celebrated on 20 January - 24 July, 5 February, respectively

spazio

spazio

Accommodation in Gallipoli

History

gallipoli coatofarms The name of the place comes from the Greek kalé pólis, meaning beautiful town. The Romans conquered it in 265 BC, and connected it to Rome by the Via Traiana, turning it into a strategic port for trade with the Balkans. In the centuries that followed the fall of the Roman EMpire and throughout the Middle Ages Gallipoli was repeatedly sieged and passed under various occupations: the Normans from the 11th century AD, the Anjou from 1269, then the Aragonese, then for a short time in 1848 was also occupied by the Venetians, finally by the Spaniards in the 16th century, and at the time was included in the Kingdom of Naples. It was always however a thriving commercial center, especially renowned for the trade of lamp oil.

What to see

  • The Cathedral, a splendid Baroque construction, with fine paintings inside
  • The Castle, originally a Byzantine fortress, was modified under the Angevin rule and rebuilt during the 16th century

Events

  • July: Festival of Santa Cristina, with a fair and boat competition.
  • July and August, the Gallipoli Mediterranea, a music and theater festival to entertain the many tourists.

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