| Enchanting is the only way to describe the ancient borough of Gallipoli, where the old town is connected to the mainland by a 17th century bridge. It is delightful to stroll around without a precise destination to discover the fortified palaces, the typical dwellings with courtyards, the ancient walls and bulwarks, little squares and the numerous churches founded by confraternities, like the Confraternity of the Crucifix, of the Virgin, of Saint Francis, and of Purity – which inspired the name for the little beach in front of it. Beautiful is the Angevin Castle, the majestic Baroque façade of the Cathedral of Saint Agata (where visitors can admire a unique collection of paintings), the interesting Diocesan Museum and the underground olive mill dug into the rock. On the other side of the bridge, the road leads to the Greek Fountain, considered the most ancient fountain in Italy. It has been recently restored, but the original construction dates back to the 3rd century BC. The front is engraved with the achievement of Gallipoli, an epigraph in Latin and the coat of arms of King Charles III of the House of Bourbon. The rear side is engraved with scenes reproducing the three metamorphoses of the mythological figures called Dirce, Salmace and Biblide. At the bottom, we find the watering trough used in the past by domestic animals. The fish market next to the harbor is also an interesting destination for tourists. | | | | |
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