The name Gallipoli comes from Kale polis, a name imposed by Greek colonizers, whose meaning is beautiful city.

During 265 BC, Gallipoli was conquered by the Romans, who improved the communication systems of the city, connecting it to the Via Traiana, and this allowed a rapid transition towards the Balkans. They also expanded and developed port activities, transforming thus the city of Gallipoli in a military center and later in a municipality.

In 450 it was occupied by the Barbarians who sacked and marked one of the most terrible and cruel period in the history of Gallipoli. During the 500, Gallipoli, along with most of the towns of Salento, was dominated for 42 years by the Byzantines.

In 542 AC it was completely rebuilt by the Roman Empire of Onesti, who strengthened the defense features such as the construction of the castle in defense of the old town of Gallipoli.

Gallipoli, became one of the most important naval and military center in the Ionian Sea and imported the Greek-Orthodox religion, traditions and language of the Byzantines.

In 710, Gallipoli was visited by Pope Constantine during the journey from Rome to Constantinople.

During the 11th century, Gallipoli and the whole Salento, were occupied by the Normans who liberated the city from the Greeks, and then, after a period of calm, it suffered a ferocious siege by King Carlo I D’Angiò, which lasted until 1268.

After various short-term dominations, Gallipoli came under Spanish rule and had an increase in craft activities. The trade routes such as the oil trade for lamps, became more important. In short, Gallipoli became increasingly rich and important. It became part of the Kingdom of Naples, and Ferdinando I of Borbone began a series of improvements to the city, the most important of which was the construction of the port.

During the subsequent Bourbon period, it became the capital city of the district, and later with the Unification of Italy, became capital of the district along with the city of Lecce and Taranto.

Gallipoli is today one of the most important tourist city in the Salento region, not to mention the history and traditions of the people of Gallipoli.

[www.gallipolisalento.it]