Il Salento, you know, it is one of the most popular destinations for Italians. In the last few days there have been the arrivals of many VIPs on the Salento coast, known for its crystal clear sea. Just to name a few, these days Gianni Morandi, the singer, is on vacation in Salento Elisa, the Negramaro who are Salento doc. But in recent days, among others, other guests like Nek, Massimo Boldi, Chiara Ferragni and Fedez have tasted the wonders of the province of Lecce. But it is not only for the splendid sea that you visit Salento. In recent years, a tourism increasingly fascinated by history of the "Terra d'Otranto. " This is how this strip of land was called in antiquity and here there are many arts, cultures, architectures that fit together and embrace each other in the alleys of even small villages in the Lecce province. Among these towns, wonderful for the sea but also for the culture, Gallipoli to the West stands out.
Gallipoli, the queen of the Ionian
Starting from the scenic beauties, the Gallipoli coast stands out, alternating short rocky areas with low rocks with long beaches on the Green Bay. The crystal clear sea and the opportunity to have fun with the many beaches available, makes it one of the most popular destinations even by young Italians and Europeans. And for the little ones? Fun on the beach with music and at sea with a mask. The rocks, in fact, deserve to be seen with many different varieties of fish also visible near the shore. Below is a photo of a small part of the Gallipoli beach.
Among the most famous beaches of Gallipoli, in addition to Baia Verde, there is the purity beach, a free beach set between the seventeenth-century walls of the wonderful historic center. A few minutes from the center of Gallipoli, here is another very beautiful beach: that of Rivabella. Rivabella which is a fraction of the territory. His is one of the northernmost beaches of the Gallipoli area with a high number of beaches, boasts a clear sea and golden sand.
Kale polis, a fascinating story
The history of Gallipoli is undoubtedly fascinating, starting with the name. “Gallipoli” derives from “Kale polis”, a Greek name attributed by the colonizers, whose meaning is a whole program: “beautiful city”.
During 265 BC the city of Gallipoli was conquered by the Romans. Then, in 450 there was a sacking of the Barbarians in Gallipoli. During the 500 Gallipoli, as well as all of Salento, was conquered and managed by the Byzantines. It was at the end of the 500th century that Gallipoli became a reference point for sailors. In 710, Gallipoli was visited by Pope Constantine, who passed by during the journey he was making from Rome to Constantinople. In 1268, the city underwent a fierce siege by Carlo I D'Angiò. Later it passed under the dominion of the Spaniards and then under the dominion of the Bourbons. In this period it became the capital of the district.
The monuments of Gallipoli
Gallipoli has numerous monuments which is worth a visit. Among them, there is certainly the Cathedral of Sant'Agata. Built in the 1629th century, it was consecrated in 1696 and was definitively completed in XNUMX. The Cathedral of Sant'Agata is located in the center of Gallipoli, a site probably destined to be a sacred area since ancient times. Its style is Baroque and it is one of the most visited monuments in the Lecce province. Below is a photo of the Cathedral.
Another monument that is very visited is the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Canneto. It is a Baroque church located near the bridge that connects the old city to the village. Another baroque church is that of San Francesco d'Assisi, located in the historic center of Gallipoli. A church slightly different from the style of the previous ones is the Santissimo Crocifisso church, built in 1750.
A quote must be made for the Gallipoli Castle. It was built after 265 BC, with the function of accommodation for the legionaries and defense for the city. Below is a photo of him.
Among the other monuments to visit in Gallipoli, it is worth mentioning: Gallipoli Castle, ancient Provenzano Pharmacy, Church of Santa Maria della Purità, Lighthouse of Sant'Andrea, Church of San Domenico al Rosario, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Church of Santa Cristina and Church of San Francesco di Paola.
