Gallipoli
The name of the city of Gallipoli derives from Kale polis, the meaning of which is beautiful city. There are several theories on the origins of the foundation of the city: some claim it was founded by the Greeks, others claim it was the Etruscans. Still others attribute the birth of Gallipoli to Idomeneo, the King of Crete.
Gallipoli extends and divides into two territories: the new city and the old one. The old city of Gallipoli was born on a small island that is connected to the new Borgo via a bridge. The old part is undoubtedly the most beautiful and characteristic one, as time seems to have never passed among its winding alleys. The new one is undoubtedly the most evident sign of the urbanization still underway in these parts and at the same time it represents the will of the locals to keep the historic Gallipoli intact. An attachment to traditions that we will see is also reflected in religious manifestations.
Gallipoli overlooks the Ionian sea and is located in a sort of inlet that offers a suggestive panorama, especially during sunset.The Gallipoli coast is characterized by a low and mainly sandy coastline. From the north we find Lido S. Giovanni which encloses a splendid bay with a beach certainly among the most beautiful in Salento, the Punta della Suina.
BAIA VERDE is one of the best known and most popular places here in Gallipoli, the coast is almost always composed of sand, the sea is wonderfully clear, and you have a very suggestive panoramic view of the Gallipoli coast, here we can find numerous beaches and some stretches of free beach.
Towards the north of Gallipoli after the town, a few minutes away we find the beautiful beach of Lido Conchiglie, a small sandy lido, the first to be frequented by Gallipoli residents in the last century, IL SENO DELLA PURITA ‘.
Continuing our path south we arrive in Rivabella, 5km from Gallipoli, the coast is mainly sandy, with 2 bathing establishments, and some stretches of beach are bordered by a dense pine forest, here the surface is about 1.5km. To the south we find Punta Pizzo. Particular naturalistic interest arouses this area within the Punta Pizzo Park, characterized by large expanses of Mediterranean scrub alternated with large aleppo pine forests.
Gallipoli today has become one of the most important tourist cities in Salento and certainly also in Italy, it has learned and is improving itself, giving more and more importance to tourism, without neglecting the history and traditions of the Gallipoli people. Its success is undoubtedly due to the set of contents that the city is able to offer tourists, such as places to visit, accommodation facilities where to stay, good food, but the element that is certainly considered among the most important is the sea and beaches.
