Why Gallipoli Is Worth Visiting
It has been two months since I visited Puglia with my family, and while I initially thought I had written about everything I wanted to share, something stayed in the back of my mind. While I devoted an entire blog post to the wonderful city of Lecce, I felt that another town deserved its own moment in the spotlight.
In this blog post, I will tell you all about why you should visit Gallipoli, a beautiful coastal town on the Ionian Sea. I truly fell in love with this historic town in Puglia, and I hope that by the end of this article, you cannot wait to visit it too.
A short history of Gallipoli
As I mentioned above, Gallipoli is a coastal town located on the Ionian Sea, and its origins trace back to Greek colonisation around the fourth century BC. Greek colonists established the first urban settlements here, and over the centuries Gallipoli grew into an important commercial hub. Even the name Gallipoli reflects this rich history. While there are several theories about its origin, it is most likely derived from the classical Greek Kallípolis, meaning “beautiful city”.
What I love about Gallipoli is that it is divided into two very different parts: the old town and the newer part of the city. The modern area even includes a small skyscraper (which we all agreed was ugly), while the historic centre is located on a limestone island. To reach the old town, you cross a seventeenth century bridge that connects the mainland to the historic heart of Gallipoli, instantly adding to the charm of the town.
Exploring the old town
Once you have crossed the bridge, it’s time to explore the old town of Gallipoli. You can walk all around the little island, soaking in the ocean views and watching the port, or wander through the labyrinth of small streets and alleyways to the centre. Here you’ll find beautiful baroque churches and architecture. The main street, Via Antonietta de Pace, is full of shops, cafes, markets, and everyday life.
One of my favourite buildings is the Ex Oratorio Sant’Angelo, now a library. The staircase and building, combined with the trees, really make it feel like you’re somewhere in Lord of the Rings. The historic island is not very big, so I would recommend getting a little lost in the streets, as there are also many small restaurants hidden in the alleyways.
Cathedral of Sant’Agata
I would say the main eye-catcher in the old centre of Gallipoli is the Cathedral of Sant’Agata, also simply called the Gallipoli Cathedral. This huge building is located right in the middle of the island and was built between 1629 and 1696. The architecture is in the baroque style, the same style you can see all over Lecce.
There are also many beautiful churches in Gallipoli, such as the Chiesa di San Francesco d’Assisi and the Chiesa di San Domenico al Rosario. Since they are all so close together, I would recommend just forgetting about choosing and visiting them all.
Castle of Gallipoli
When walking towards the limestone island of the historic centre, you are immediately confronted with the impressive fortification that is the Castle of Gallipoli. What I love about this castle is that it is almost entirely surrounded by water, which makes for a very interesting view.
The castle was probably built in the 11th century and later rebuilt in the 13th century during the Byzantine era. Today, the castle is open to visitors every day from 10:00 to 18:00, and it often hosts exhibitions that you can explore as well.
Gallipoli’s beaches
Since I visited this beautiful city in November, it wasn’t really the weather for a swim, but I could still see the potential of the beaches. One of the main ones is Spiaggia della Purità, a wonderful beach located between the fortifications. It is right on the little island of the historic centre, so I can totally imagine Gallipoli being the perfect day trip in summer, where you can explore the town and end the day relaxing on the beach with a swim.
If you have access to a car, there are also several free beaches to the southeast of Gallipoli’s centre. Some of them, like Spiaggia Libera Lido Piccolo, are not very big, but they are incredibly beautiful.
Conclusion
I hope this blog article does justice to my love for Gallipoli. The Virgo in me loves that the town is divided into two separate parts, connected by a mystical bridge. We were only there for one day, but I would love to come back soon to explore more. If you have ever visited Gallipoli, feel free to let me know your thoughts and favourite spots!
