Ionian Salento

Salento has a great deal to offer, and not only on its Adriatic side. The Ionian coast certainly lives up to expectations. From Torre Lapillo to Marina di Mancaversa, by way of Porto Cesareo, Santa Maria al Bagno and above all Gallipoli, the queen of the Ionian route, it is a sight not to be missed.

Gallipoli marks the dividing line between the northern and southern coasts of Ionian Salento. North of Gallipoli the shore has fine white sand and clear, transparent and, above all, shallow water. South of Gallipoli the coast turns rocky and generally rather jagged, and it is surrounded by greenery. These are true natural oases, where you can find peace gazing at the clear blue sea.

So, starting from the north, the landscape is almost flat, and becomes completely flat at Gallipoli, with its white beaches full of fun by day and by night. Heading south, the scenery grows rougher, a mix of rocks and sand, and just as enchanting.

If you want to point out the differences between Adriatic Salento (Otranto, for example) and Ionian Salento, they are the shallow water and the prevalence of sandy beaches on the Ionian coast.

At the head of the Ionian wonders stands Gallipoli, a town southwest of Lecce, 42 kilometers from the capital of Salento. The town's name comes from Greek and means “beautiful city.” Gallipoli is also known as the “Pearl of the Ionian,” and its fame certainly precedes it. It is also one of the “Historic Cities of the Mediterranean.”

Gallipoli's origins are indeed very old, going back to ancient Greece. The town's supposed founder was a Greek, Idomeneus of Crete. The emblem on his shield was a rooster, which is why the bird would become the symbol of the town. Gallipoli later gained great renown under the Roman Empire too, as shown by the description of the town in a work by Pliny the Elder.

Artistically, Gallipoli, just like Lecce, is a Baroque town. Its main sights reflect this style, for example the Basilica of Saint Agatha and the Angevin Castle.

Gallipoli is surrounded on three sides by the Ionian Sea. It also has an islet, the Island of Sant'Andrea: a tiny, uninhabited patch of land, but an important one for its wildlife. The town is also divided into two parts, both reaching out into the sea. The first is the new town, the second the old town, the historic center. To get to the old town you cross a bridge of 12 arches, which used to be a drawbridge.

This shows how well defended Gallipoli was in the past. Many dangers loomed from the sea, and the town had to be ready for anything. That is exactly what the coastal towers were for, and they still dot the shores of Ionian Salento (and not only there).

Gallipoli has no fewer than 4 coastal watchtowers. The reason they were built was very clear. Charles V wanted them all along the coasts of Salento to defend them: with their favorable position, these shores were an easy landing place for foreigners, and the land had to be protected from enemy attacks, such as those of the Saracens. Most of the towers on the beaches of Ionian Salento date from the 16th century.

Gallipoli has a coastline about 20 kilometers long, which includes many beaches and spots such as Baia Verde (3 kilometers from the town), and the shores of Punta Pizzo and Punta della Suina.

Right here, on the beaches or close by, take place many of the summer events that have made Gallipoli a major destination for young travelers. The shores are packed with clubs and bars (Samsara Beach, Lampara and Riobò, to name just a few). Parco Gondar, toward Baia Verde, is a major venue for concerts by big Italian and international artists.

But Gallipoli hosts other kinds of events too. For example, the feast in honor of Saint Christina, one of the town's two patron saints, with processions, concerts and fireworks.

Gallipoli's beauty has also caught the eye of filmmakers. Movies such as “Tre uomini e una gamba” and “Loose Cannons” (Mine vaganti) were shot here.

Gallipoli is also food and Apulian tradition. Here, as all over Salento, people dance to the rhythm of the “pizzica,” the folk dance of the south. Among the local specialties are Gallipoli-style fish soup (the Porto Cesareo version is just as famous), “pettole,” the Lecce “pasticciotto” and “scapece,” fish marinated with breadcrumbs and saffron.

Gallipoli and the coastal towns of Ionian Salento are therefore rich in history and traditions, in beaches and fairy-tale landscapes, between entertainment and culture.