"Kale Polis", "Beautiful City": today, still reflects the meaning imposed by the Greek settlers who founded Gallipoli.

Conquered in 265 BC by the Romans, who expanded the successful development activities, Gallipoli became first a military center and then a town.

In 542 BC, after a lootings period, the city backs to the Greeks and became one of most important naval center of the Ionian Sea.

After various short term dominations and a long term domination under Spain Reign, in the fifteenth century Gallipoli passed to the Venetians who began works to build the port: so far, in fact, Gallipoli had only a small shelter for boats without fix structures. In short time, while changing once again domination, Gallipoli was inserted in trade routes of the Mediterranean Sea.

A substantial makeover of the port was done, in the the middle of 1800, by Ferdinand I of Bourbon who initiates a series of improvements in the city. From this period dates the construction of the modern port, which will become 'the largest of the Ionian region of Salento.

Renovated in 1980, the cargo port, located in the north side of the Old Town remains a major tourist harbour in the south-east part of Italy.