Galatone

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Galatone
Comune
Comune di Galatone
Galatone is located in Italy
Galatone
Galatone
Location of Galatone in Italy
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Country Italy
Region  Apulia
Province / Metropolitan city Province of Lecce (LE)
Government
 • Mayor Livio Nisi (PdL)
Area
 • Total 46 km2 (18 sq mi)
Elevation 58 m (190 ft)
Population (31 December 2004)
 • Total 15,982
 • Density 350/km2 (900/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Galatonesi or Galatei
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 73044
Dialing code 0833
Saint day 20 January
Website Official website

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.

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[1] ("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

References

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External links


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