During our stay in Gallipoli, we took a day trip by train to Galatina and Nardo. Gallipoli, a port town on the Ionian Sea, offered stunning sunsets and historic churches. The Church of Saint Mary of Purity stood out with its tile floor and colorful frescoes.
In Galatina, the Basilica di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria featured captivating biblical and historical frescoes telling stories of the past, showcasing the town's cultural heritage.
Nardo's highlight was the La Guglia dell'Immacolata, the Spire of the Immaculate Conception, an architectural masterpiece emphasizing the town's historical and religious significance.
Sun-Ling, with red backpack, boards the single car train at Otranto Station in which we will cross the "heel" of the Italian "boot" from east to west; Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea.
We pass another single car train and can spot the engineer+conductor.
Sun-Ling gets off the Train - Gallipoli Station
Walking to our apartment we pass the Art Deco-ish facade of Parrocchia del Sacro Cuore di Gesù. Very cool.
Gallipoli sits on a narrow headland with a bay to the north, a bay the the south, and a castle on its western tip. From our hotel balcony we can see both bays!
Church of Saint Mary of Purity.
The Christmas Market.
The fishing fleet, plus a few seafood markets and restaurants.
The Castle's interior is now a mall for tourists, but it still retains its picturesque exterior.
Looking back along the headland towards our hotel.
Sunset from the most western end of Gallipoli.
Daytrip to Galatina: Here is the Church of the Saints Peter and Paul in Galatina.
And a park with a War Memorial.
And the Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria with amazing 14-th century frescoes.
Check out the ceiling (1st below), Noah's Ark, and Adam and Eve (2nd), and more.
We changed trains at least twice at the un-staffed Nardo Centrale Station.
From Nardo Citta Station, it's a short stroll to the Spire of the Immaculate Conception.
Facade of Chiesa San Domenico.
And finally, the Christmas Market in Nardo.
Sun-Ling and John have been traveling the earth since 2008 while blogging, eating vegetarian and vegan, and riding public transportation. We love uphill day hikes, 20th-century architecture, Roman ruins, all bodies of water, local markets, shopping for groceries, aqueducts, miradors, trip planning, blablacar, and more.
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