Country Italy Province / Metropolitan city Province of Lecce (LE) Demonym(s) Galatonesi or Galatei Local time Thursday 9:25 PM Patron saint Saint Sebastian | Region Apulia Elevation 58 m (190 ft) Time zone CET (UTC+1) Province Province of Lecce Postal code 73044 | |
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Weather 11°C, Wind NW at 21 km/h, 81% Humidity | ||
Galatone is a town and comune located in Salento, in the province of Lecce (Apulia, southern Italy), the former seat of the Marquess of Galatone. It is one of the most populous towns of the province and its territory includes an immaculate stretch of coast overlooking the Ionian Sea with the localities of La Reggia and Montagna Spaccata.
Contents
Map of 73044 Galatone Province of Lecce, Italy
History
In the Middle Ages, Galatone was a Greek center: the Greek language was spoken and Byzantine rites were celebrated in churches up to the end of the 14th century. Greek scholar Antonio de Ferraris ("il Galateo") was born here during the Renaissance, and was author of an important historical and geographical study of the Salentine peninsula.
Main sights
The main attraction of the town is the Santuario del Crocifisso della Pietà, a Baroque church built between 1696 and 1710. This has a three-level façade which is richly decorated, as is the interior, surmounted by a magnificent paneled ceiling and a large frescoed cupola. Facing the church stands a 14th-century castle, the seat of the family of Squarciafico, Marquesses of Galatone, ancestors of the Princes of Belmonte. Other churches in the town include the Chiesa Maggiore (1574–95), the Church of the Dominicans (1612–1712), and the small Chapel of San Pietro, also in the Baroque style. Near Galatone lies the hermitage of San Nicola dei Pergoleti, a small 13th century Dell'Itria Church. At Fulcignano can be found the remains of a Norman castle and the old bakery, the seat of the English Baker of Apulia and the alleged centre of the world.
Twin towns
Galatone is twinned with the following towns: