Galatina
Galatina is a town steeped in history, with many beautiful churches, palaces, and other historic buildings to explore. There has been an elegant town here since the 12th century. You will love the Puglia Romanesque style, with impressive doorways and balconies, decorated with intricate stonework. One of the town’s main attractions is the Basilica of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria, known for its stunning frescoes and Baroque architecture.
History of Galatina Italy: A Journey Through Time
Galatina is a town located in the province of Lecce in the region of Apulia, southern Italy. It has a rich history that dates back to ancient times, making it a fascinating destination for those interested in exploring the past.
The earliest settlements in the area date back to the prehistoric period, with evidence of human habitation found in the nearby caves. The town was later inhabited by the Messapians, an ancient tribe that lived in the region of Apulia during the Iron Age.
During the Roman period, Galatina became an important center for trade and commerce, thanks to its strategic location along major trade routes. The town was known for its agricultural production, particularly of olives and grapes, which were exported to other parts of the Roman Empire.
In the Middle Ages, Galatina was ruled by various feudal lords, including the Byzantine Empire and the Kingdom of Naples. The town experienced a period of prosperity during this time, as evidenced by the construction of several churches and palaces that still stand today.
One of the most famous landmarks in Galatina is the Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a stunning example of Baroque architecture that was built in the 14th century. The church is known for its beautiful frescoes and elaborate decorations, making it a popular pilgrimage site for Catholics.
In more recent history, Galatina was heavily impacted by World War II, with the town suffering significant damage from bombing raids. However, the town was quickly rebuilt and today stands as a testament to resilience and determination.
Today, Galatina is a charming town that offers visitors a glimpse into its rich history through its well-preserved landmarks and fascinating museums. From ancient ruins to medieval churches, there is no shortage of historical sites to explore in this picturesque Italian town. Whether you are a history buff or simply looking to immerse yourself in the past, Galatina is sure to offer a memorable journey through time.
Gorgeous Galatina
A little history and 2024 Travel Guide Historical and Cultural Attractions Galatina is a town steeped in history, with many beautiful churches, palaces, and other historic buildings to explore. There has been an elegant town here since the 12th century. You will love the Puglia Romanesque style, with impressive
Basilica di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria, Galatina Italy
Basilica di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria a Masterpiece in Galatina, Italy This beautiful church, built in the 14th century, is known for its stunning frescoes and architecture. The Basilica di Santa Caterina d’ Alessandria is important because it houses the relics of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a revered Christian
Sensational Southern Salento – Day Trips from Galatina
Discover the Magic of Southern Salento A 2025 travel guide for your trip to Puglia- Best Places to Visit in Salento The rich history and culture of the region contribute to its mystical allure. Southern Salento, part of the Puglia region, is home to Beautiful coastlines, ancient Greek
FLIGHTS & CAR HIRE
Brindisi (BDS) Airport is the nearest and about a 50 minute drive.
Bari (BRI) Airport is the next nearest airport and is about a 100 minutedrive away.
The following car hire companies operate from both Bari and Brindisi airports:
Maggiore – www.maggiore.it
Avis – www.avis.com
Hertz – www.hertz.com
Europcar – www.europcar.com
Thrifty / Italy by Car – www.italybycar.it
CURRENCY
Travelex online (www.travelex.co.uk) offer good exchange rates and you can usually pick up currency from the departure airport. Often the best exchange rate is from an ATM machine, and they can be found at the airports upon arrival
DIRECTIONS FROM AIRPORT to Corte Santa Maria
FROM BARI
From Bari airport, take the Motorway (E15 / SS 16) southeast following the blue signs for Bari and then Brindisi. This road goes along the Adriatic coast and becomes the SS 379 heading for Lecce and passing the city of Brindisi.
FROM BRINDISI
If you are traveling from Brindisi Airport (about 45 mins) you will start your journey heading southeast on the SS 613, following the blue motorway signs for Lecce.
After approximately 30km, and just after the exit for Surbo, take the exit for Gallipoli (SS 101), very shortly afterwards you will go through a tunnel and then take another exit for Gallipoli. After about 10km you will see the exit sign for Copertino & Galatina (Note: prior to this exit you will see separate exit signs for both Copertino and Galatina, but the correct exit will be the one with the names of both towns on the same exit sign). Take this exit and then go left at the stop sign toward Galatina.
Drive for about 7km until you cross over the railroad tracks as you enter town. At this time, you will be at the green dot on the map below.
Continue until you enter into an intersection of several streets and take a right turn onto Corso Re d’Italia. (At this intersection you will also find a good supermarket called “Dok” This supermarket is open all day until 11pm.)
Follow Corso Re d’Italia past the park on your left and take a left turn after the small island with the clusters of palm trees surrounding a fountain and head straight into the piazza toward the Basilica San Pietro
If you have a permit (see “Driving in Centro Storico”, below) enter the piazza and take an immediate right turn down Corso Garibaldi and keep going straight until you enter Piazza Galluccio (cars will be parked around it).
If the San Pietro piazza is closed, turn right instead at the bottom of Corso Re d’Italia and take a left down Via Giuseppe Mazzini, then left on Via Luce towards the Porta Luce, where you can enter the Centro Storico and turn right towards Piazza Galluccio.
Corte Santa Maria is off the far right-hand corner of the piazza. At this point, you may want to park if you’re driving a large car.
Follow down the narrow street and turn right under the archway into the small court.
DRIVING IN CENTRO STORICO / PARKING
The (small) historic centre is a traffic-restricted area (ZTL Galatina) and outside of weekday working hours only residents and authorized vehicles are allowed to drive into it.
Currently parking is limited only to residents, but you can register on parkforfun.com (Comune di Galatina), allowing you to access the centro storico and load/unload or pick up/set down – for example in Piazza Galluccio, next to Corte Santa Maria – before leaving to park outside. (On parkforfun.com, go to option “Giornaliero” then “Provvisorio”. The pass is free of charge.)
There is plenty of free parking available nearby outside the Centro Storico –for example, drive down Corsa Porta Luce and turn right into Via Monte Bianco – you’ll find loads of free parking spaces.
Parking rules
White parking bays are free parking,
Blue bays are metered parking, and
Yellow is for disabled drivers.
Always check signs for duration.
(If your car is small enough you could risk parking in the Corte if there’s room – the police tend not to check that far.