Introducing Gallipoli
Gallipoli (from ‘beautiful town’ in Greek) is an almost-island. The old medieval centre fills an island in the Ionian Sea, connected by a bridge to the mainland and modern city. An important fishing centre, it’s 39km southwest of Lecce, and has a history of strong-willed independence, being the last Salentine settlement to succumb to the Normans in the 11th century. It still feels like a town, unlike more seasonal coastal places. It’s a charming place, and in summer bars and restaurants make the most of the island’s ramparts, looking out to sea.
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Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
