Gallipoli lies off the
Apulian coast and is connected to the mainland by bridge.
The town is of Greek origin and the name itself is Greek, meaning ’the beautiful town’. The name suits the old town very well, standing proudly as it does, looking out over the Ionian sea. The town has since been part of the Roman Empire and was under Aragon control in the 15th century.
Because of its location, the town has always been fortified, and the small part of the fortifications still intact today dates back to Roman times. In the town centre, you can find the Sant’ Agata cathedral from 1630, which is an impressive example of the Baroque architecture characteristic of much of the Salento peninsula. The cathedral, which houses paintings from the 17th century, is a museum in itself.
