In recent days there is a lot of talk about the decline in tourism in Gallipoli, what should be done, what especially has not been done, and so on.
We at Foodismo, as opposed to crackpot marketers and people who have never done anything in life except criticize, give you 5 good reasons to visit Gallipoli and also explain why you should. Without wasting any useful time to enjoy your vacation in Gallipoli.
Are you ready to read it all in one go?
1: The crush and mass “are almost gone.” Reserve two sunbeds and your lunch at the Sottovento Lido.
If you don’t like the chaos and hassle resulting from loud music, if you hate catchphrases and bachata, you can really choose the Sottovento lido in the infamous Baia Verde and spend at least one day at the beach in peace, with your partner or family.
What’s more, add that the lido we are suggesting has an excellent catering service. What do you want to do? Keep complaining, or book the ideal place for your relaxation?
2: Those who tell you that Gallipoli is dead are very wrong. Take a tour of the historic center and you will not regret it: every alley and corner of the Città Bella has a beautiful story to tell
It only takes a little to be happy. This is our mantra for summer 2018. For us Salento people, this nice saying applies even more because we already have everything: sun, sea, fun, nature, landscapes, history and traditions. Do you want more? Well, we are here to suggest beauties to visit on the fly when the weather in Gallipoli does not allow you to go to the beach.
The Greek or Hellenistic fountain
The Greek or Hellenistic fountain is the symbolic monument of Gallipoli: built next to the Roman baths, it was later moved (1548) next to the church of St. Nicholas of the Port, and then relocated to where it is currently seen, that is, next to the bridge that connects the old city with the new.
On one of the facades, on which mythological scenes are illustrated accompanied by verses from Ausonius, a baroque tympanum has been placed with the coat of arms of Philip II (King of Spain) and, on its sides, the coat of arms of the municipality of Gallipoli.
On the other facade, built in 1765 to support the entire fountain, a trough for animals and the insignia of Charles III of Bourbon, king of Naples, were placed.
Santa Maria del Canneto: a spectacular little church.
Near the Mar Piccolo of Gallipoli, stands the church of Santa Maria del Canneto.
The church, according to an ancient legend, is said to have risen in a marshy place, where numerous reeds grew, in which fishermen allegedly found an ancient icon of the Virgin Mary.
The church was thus built in her honor, with ashlars of carparo stone. Although small in size, it is rich in friezes and decorations that could put the beautiful Basilica of Santa Croce in Lecce to shame (sorry we are so in love with Gallipoli…this romantic side of ours makes us a tad overdo it).
3: The color and hospitality of the people of Old Gallipoli.
Like any self-respecting seaside town, if you want to discover Gallipoli, you have to stop on the street and talk to the friendly inhabitants of its old town.
You will “risk” learning all the secrets of the town, from recent events to legendary stories of a Salento that hardly exists anymore.
We recommend that you stop and talk to the fishermen and listen to their sea stories made up of gales, cavalalloni and sacrifices.
You will not regret it!
4: Visit the castle of Gallipoli and you will feel like king and queen of the Città Bella.
Beautiful, majestic, imposing and resting gently on the water: this is the castle of Gallipoli.
We advise you to enter, take your time and visit it at your leisure.
For a long time it was closed to the public, now instead you will have the opportunity to visit its halls because there are numerous events, exhibitions and cultural events.
Gallipoli is culture, not just entertainment. We have told you this many times!
5: The flavors of sea and land in exceptional recipes
Here is yet another truth about Gallipoli: the food is good everywhere, but in some typical little restaurants and fishmongers it is even better.
Don’t be fooled by those who tell you that rustici cost 15 € and friselle 8.
In Gallipoli you eat like crazy, you eat well and if you are careful, your wallet will thank you and your finances will roll out red carpets as you pass by.
Here for you, some suggestions (tips as foreign tourists would say) for eating great and not spending a capital in Gallipoli.
Get suggestions for the best restaurants from those who live Gallipoli and Salento year-round
Do you love the catch of the day and does the smell of Gallipoli prawns make you lose your mind? We suggest you stroll through the fish shops in front of the historic center and maybe stop for a little aperitif.
We have our own places of the heart and we have already talked about one of them here. Pescheria la Lampara today reproposes in the historic center of Gallipoli, its Fish Lab, a beautiful, quaint little restaurant where, face to face with the fishermen, you can choose your fish and have it prepared instantly.
Remember to choose the right white to properly enjoy the flavor of freshly caught fish.
La Puritate: an institution among restaurants in Gallipoli.
Needless to say, this is a restaurant: comfortable chairs, neat and impeccable tablecloths, low tone of voice and dim lighting.
If you feel like getting rowdy, this restaurant is not for you because you can opt for comfortable trattorias.
We recommend the round of appetizers and the prawn goodness. Everything is really good!
Still haven’t convinced you to visit Gallipoli?
They hear all kinds of things about Gallipoli, and about the decline of tourism in the Città Bella they have written long and endless papyri that would make Philip Kotler, the world’s number 1 marketing man, pale (if you don’t know who he is, you can easily buy one of his books on Amazon). In a very simple way we have tried to give you 5 reasons to visit Gallipoli now and not get stuck in sterile and useless controversies.
Sterile and useless because every year it is always the same story: on the one hand streams of people who love hit-and-run tourism, on the other hand a people of critics who instead of moving their mouths, should roll up their sleeves and try to change the situation by “doing and not talking.”
Although we have tools and expertise on our side, we prefer to talk to you about the beauties of Gallipoli and avoid talking about things we had already talked about and scenarios about tourism that we had widely predicted a few years ago, without being listened to at all.
So we decided to cultivate the beauty that our land can give us, making Gallipoli and Salento known in a different way, starting from what we have the most good: our traditions, our memories, food, recipes, nature and the beauty of our territory.
If you feel like writing to us and feel like suggesting something that for reasons of space we had to omit, feel free to do so here in the comments.
