Excursion Gallipoli - pearl of the ionian sea tour at Gallipoli

Discover the Old World landmarks, architecture and history of the 'Pearl of the Ionian Sea' during this picturesque walking tour of Gallipoli. When visiting Gallipoli travelers usually focus on three main words: pearl, rainbow and gold. Discover a labyrinthine weave of narrow streets that all eventually lead to the broader sea-front promenade with its wonderful views.

Gallipoli Walking Tour

Your guided tour begins at the port, where you may catch sight of local fishermen repairing their nets in a very picturesque setting. Fishing was, and still is, as important as olive oil for the local economy, and Gallipoli's marketplace has always been one of the most characteristic sites to visit. Your tour guide will tell you about the interesting history of the medieval town, of its Castle as well as of its Renaissance-style Fountain.

The word pearl refers to Gallipoli's old town position, located on a very little island dividing the deep Ionian Gulf into two branches, each connected respectively to the main Ionian Magna Grecia city northwards, Taranto, and to the southernmost Apulian town, Leuca.

Gallipoli Cathedral

Enjoy a walk through the labyrinthine island and visit the stunning Cathedral completely covered with wonderful Baroque paintings, as if displayed in a gallery.

The word rainbow refers to the dwellings painted in Mediterranean colours, lively and warm, arranged as to decorate its spider's web-like medieval town dominated by this huge Baroque Cathedral.

Underground Olive Oil Factory

The word gold is a symbol of wealth and is related to the large amount of olive oil produced in the city between the 17^th and 19^th centuries, and used to give light to the street lamps of the main European cities. Gallipoli's "liquid gold" export was so large that olive oil was stocked in the list exchange, and the ancient island was transformed into an "industrial" area where many underground factories and cisterns were carved out of the local limestone called carparo.

Have the opportunity to learn about the olive oil production techniques used in the past, visiting one of the 35 underground oil factories recently restored. Discover how difficult life was for people working there, living with animals and leaving the factory only at the end of the process, sometimes between 6 and 9 months in total.

Some free time will allow you to stroll around the old town and enjoy local life, before returning indipendently to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion may include: Old Town, Cathedral, Frantoio Ipogeo; Underground Olive Oil Factory

Note

Please note: This tour involves from a moderate to extensive amount of walking for approximately two miles (about 3.2 kilometres), at times over uneven and sloping surfaces that may be slippery when wet, with five steps to negotiate at the Cathedral, 15 steps at the olive oil factory and approximately 30 steps whilst returning to the pier. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Lightweight, comfortable clothing, flat, closed-toe walking shoes, a hat and sun protection are recommended. Conservative dress is required when visiting sacred sites. During religious services, tour groups are not permitted inside the church, guides are not allowed to enter and provide commentary. Guests may have the opportunity to visit churches independently. On those days, only outside explanations will be offered. Restroom facilities are located in cafés and restaurants; the purchase of a little snack is recommended in order to use facilities. Ongoing restoration work is frequently undertaken at many of the venues visited. The tour sequence may vary. Please note that guides may have accents reflecting their regional backgrounds, which adds to the diversity and richness of the experience.