Gallipoli

The word “Gallipoli” literally translates to “beautiful city,” and the town surely fits the description of its name!

It is possible that our Gallipoli, which is located on the western coast of the Salento peninsula in Puglia, is not as well-known as its Turkish counterpart, which was the location of the catastrophic conflict that occurred during the First World War. However, its history is extensive and varied, its old center is a joy, and the beaches that border it are an excellent choice.

The historic town center is located on a small island that is connected to the mainland by a bridge that dates back to the 17th century. Almost whole of its perimeter is protected by fortified walls, the majority of which were constructed in the 14th century.

The eastern side is dominated by a strong fortification that dates back to the 13th century but was mainly rebuilt in the 1500s while the town was under the power of the Angevins.

It is because of its strategic location that Gallipoli was constantly besieged, and these fortifications provide us with a great deal of information about the city’s history. According to tradition, the town was established by Idomeneo, who was originally from ancient Crete. It quickly became a part of Magna Graecia and remained a part of that region until Pyrrhus was destroyed by the Romans, most likely as a result of failing to achieve a sufficient number of wins.

Following the destruction of the town by a large number of Vandals and Goths, the Byzantines arrived and rebuilt the town in a manner that is quite similar to how it appears now. Up to the year 1861, continuous waves of Normans, Angevins, and Bourbons came in Italy. This continued until the country was unified.

It is a monument to the town’s previous riches as a trade port that the island center of Gallipoli is home to a large number of spectacular Baroque churches and palazzi that would have been considered aristocratic. To reach the larger seafront promenade with its breathtaking vistas, one must finally navigate through a complex network of winding alleyways that are limited in width.

There is a proliferation of cafés, bars, and restaurants on the sidewalks during the summer months, which results in an exceedingly pleasant ambiance. Additionally, the beach, which is known as La Spiaggia della Purita, is an attraction in its own right. An excellent method to be ready for a supper consisting of fresh fish is to take a passeggiata (pre-prandial promenade) around the walls of the building in the evening while looking out to sea.

For a very long time, those who enjoy the sea have been drawn to the coastline that extends north and south of Gallipoli. This coastline is comprised of a succession of beautiful sandy beaches and crystalline seas.

If you are in the vicinity, you should also pay a visit to the classical Baroque center of Alezio, which is located just a few kilometers inland and to the east of the town.Present-day battlefields on the Gallipoli Peninsula, also known as the Gelibolu Peninsula, are protected landscapes that are surrounded by gorgeous beaches and coves and covered with pine woods throughout. On the other hand, the horrific conflicts that took place in this location in 1915 are still fondly remembered by people from Turkey and other countries, and they retain significant positions in the national narratives of Turkey, Australia, and New Zealand. The peninsula, which is now protected as the Gallipoli Campaign Historic Site, is considered a place of pilgrimage by the people of Australia and New Zealand, who visit in the tens of thousands each year. However, Turks, who are drawn to this place by the legend of the courageous 57th regiment and its commander, Mustafa Kemal (who would later become Ataturk), also travel here in ever-increasing numbers to pay their respects.