On the Ionian side of Salento there is a city that has beauty in its name, Gallipoli. It originates from kale polis and means beautiful city , as the Hellenic colonizers from Greece called it.
For those who see it for the first time, Gallipoli shows itself in balance between the ancient village and the modern city.
It is a lively city in summer, a reference point for tourists from all over the world, but in winter Gallipoli tells another story and if possible, it is even more fascinating. What makes the historic center special is its position: it is located on an islet surrounded by the sea and is connected to the modern city by an arched bridge. Before the bridge there was a strip of land that was destroyed by repeated attacks by the conquering peoples until the brick bridge was built around 1600.
The ancient village is a bundle of narrow but always bright streets. Here there are numerous buildings and churches that mark the steps from different eras and bear the sign of their different cultural origins.
At the entrance to the historic center, on the left (westwards) the Riviera Armando Diaz begins and the eye is drawn to two imposing buildings almost surrounded by the sea, the Rivellino and the Angevin Castle (about 200 m west from the bridge) . They are the symbolic buildings of the city, the Castle dates back to the thirteenth century and the defensive tower was added during the sixteenth century. Continuing along the Riviera - heading west - is Via Antonietta de Pace, a road that divides the historic center into two parts and imposes itself in the center, following the main axis of the ancient Greek city. Along the road there is the Cathedral dedicated to Sant’Agata, the protector of Gallipoli. It is the religious and artistic heart of the city, as well as a splendid example of the local Baroque style (1629).
From here, for a few more steps, you arrive at Spiaggia della Purità and its evocative name does not betray the promise of a golden beach on the clear sea. The beach is easily accessible from the historic center and is located close to the ramparts.
It is always a good idea to take a complete tour of the walls of Gallipoli, in all of about 5 km, perhaps after a stop in one of the many places where you can taste the typical cuisine based on fish or a good homemade ice cream.
