The name Gallipoli comes from the Greek word Kallipolis: Kalli meaning beautiful and Poli meaning City. The “Cidade Bela” was founded at the time of the Trojan War and was ruled by King Priam. The city was besieged by the Greeks for ten years until it finally fell to them.
Gallipoli is considered the Pearl of the Ionian Sea in southern Italy, in the Salento region of Puglia, better known as the heel of Italy’s boot. The old town is built on a hill with medieval walls still standing. There are three castles, one from the Norman period and two from the Angevin period.
The economy of Gallipoli is based mainly on tourism, fishing and agriculture.