Gallipoli, Italy

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Gallipoli is a town of some 21,000 inhabitants in the province of Lecce. It is located by the Ionian Sea, on the west coast of the Salentina Peninsula. The town of Gallipoli is divided in two parts, the modern and the old city. The new town includes all the newest buildings including a skyscraper. The old town, instead, is located on a limestone island, linked to the mainland by a bridge built in the 16th century.

1 Transportation
2 Culture
3 Economy
4 Sport
5 External links

Nearest airports are Brindisi (88 km) and Bari (200 km). Gallipoli can be reached from both of them via a modern freeway, the state road 101.

By train, from Lecce take the regional Ferrovie del Sud-Est.

"La Puritate" beach

Gallipoli is also known as the "Ionian pearl". Its most importants monuments are the Angioinian Castle, the St. Agatha Cathedral and the greek fountain.

In past times the economy of Gallipoli was based on the international wine and oil commerce. Nowadays its most important activities are based on fishing and tourism.

Tourism is enjoyable throughout the year, due to the mild climate, the excellent food, and the hospitable nature of the local people. Numerous are also the celebrations (civil and religious), some of which are quite spectacular. Worth mentioning are: the carnival, Easter and all the parades, Sant'Agata, Premio Barocco, the Chess challenge. Unmissable are the Santa Cristina celebrations, in July, when for three days the town is literally bursting with market stalls, luminaries, fireworks displays, parades in the historic town, and a colourful cheering crowd.

Gallipoli also boasts a very recently built harbour for private boats, located just steps from the bottom of the main Corso Roma.

The summer season starts in May and ends in October, when the weather is almost invariably hot and clear. This is the time when flocks of holidaymakers gather in and around town.

The local football team is the Gallipoli Calcio. The team has won the 2005-2006 Serie C2/C championship.