Santa Maria del Canneto

Santa Maria del Canneto is a baroque shrine in Gallipoli featuring a striking facade with three central arches and a pediment. The wooden ceiling inside is decorated with gilded coffers, and the walls display several religious paintings alongside an 18th-century organ.

The shrine was established in the 13th century but was destroyed in 1502 during a French siege of the city. It was rebuilt in the latter half of the 17th century when it received its current baroque appearance.

The name comes from a reed bed that once grew in this area. The interior holds many votive offerings and religious artworks left by visitors over the centuries, showing the ongoing devotion of local people.

The shrine sits near the bridge that connects Gallipoli's old town to the mainland, making it easy to reach on foot. Its location on the waterfront provides a natural pause point when walking between the island and the newer parts of the city.

Local fishermen discovered an intact image of the Virgin Mary surrounded by flames near the harbor. This discovery led to the establishment of the shrine and remains a defining story in the devotion of fishing communities to this place.

Location: Gallipoli

Architectural style: baroque architecture

GPS coordinates: 40.05494,17.98103

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:21