GAGLIANO DEL CAPO

Historical Outline
Gagliano’s place-name has a Latin origin ; infect according to the tradition seems that this land was belonged to a Roman soldier called Gallo. The armorial bearing, instead represent a cook who fights against a snake. Probably the first built-up area was arose after the destruction of the neighbours Pulsano and Misciano (II century before Christ). From 553 and until XI century, the town was under the Byzantine rule. The Greek rite was next to the Latin even after the Norman accession ; and until the beginning of the 1600 when the last Greek "Protopapi" of Gagliano died. In this land happened many feudal events. During the Angevin rule (XIII-XV centuries) became feud of Isolda of Nocera, of the French soldier Guglielmo Brunella, of Teodorico, of Santo Blasio, and at the end, in 1845 Ferdinando from Argon gave to award to the Scanderberg Castriota family. In this family Giovanni was born, who distinguished himself in the battle of the 7 October 1571 in Lepanto, and his descendants lived in the castle of Gagliano. In the XVIII century the feud was under Laura Guarini, princess of Cassano. In 1806 Gagliano was released from any feudal bonds. In 1810 Gagliano’s population took legal action against the baron of Alessano, who set up claims for the fish of the coast. During centuries this land suffered for many Saracen attacks. In 1547 the Algerian pirate Dragua landed to Leuca and penetrated into Gagliano, making a raid. For that event walls of the town were strengthened (Via de lu Muru). After the Lepanto’s battle, Turks restricted their incursions, but in 1624 they attacked the Leuca’s Sanctuary and some farmers of Gagliano, who were working the ground. Now Gagliano has two hamlets : Arigliano has a Latin origin derivation and it means "ager Gagliani". This hamlet was under the rule of the Lord of Alessano, Falconibus, Bisignano, Capece, Colosso, Ajerbo and Castriota Scanderberg,. San Dana is a little town, who took its name from a Christian saint martyrs.

Coasting Itinerary
The town of Gagliano rises upon 147 m above sea-level and it lies between two mountains called "Monte Tumasi" and "Monticelli" ; air is salubrious and in the countryside there is Mediterranean flora and fauna. In the light day with the North wind it is possible to see the coast of Albania and the Corfù Island. The Marine of Novaglie is near to Gagliano ; the etymology of its name is a derivation from what happened in the XI century, when many lands was deforested and were used for "new" cultivation. Here it is noticed the ruin of an old tower (XVI century) and beyond there are natural shelters of primitive people ; these are Cipolliane Grottos where there is a Pleistocene deposit of the Paloeolithic Superior, stones with enigmatic graffitos and many shells. Walking through the coast toward Leuca, there is the Ciolo Canal ( in dialect Ciolo=Crow), that joins with the centre through a little solitary and suggesting road. This beautiful place has been definited "the corner of the Dantesque Hell" and it is overhanged by a wide bridge. Around there are the Prazziche Grottoes where were found prehistoric finds of Musteriano, Late Romelliano, Neolithic, bones painted with red ochre of the French Azaliana culture. Along the coast there are other grottoes: Aspro, Spiriti, Innamorati, Bocca del Pozzo composed by a big cavern opening on the voult. Upon the riff there is a long passage that goes to other places humid, dark and fool of guano of bats. In the hall there are finds of Neolithic and Metal Age : now it is possible to reach it by the sea. Along the coast there are more grottoes :Marsignana , Montanicchi, Bruficu, Totala, Cacateddu, Crina, Musconovu, Mannute o Satizza, Capedde, Pescu de lu diavulu, Vora, Ortocupu, Novato, Vardusedde, Burranu e Terraricu. At the end there is the Meliso, this promontory divides the Ionio Sea from the Adriatic Sea. Here there are many strong running water, and according to the legend this deep sea is called "mare spunnatu". ( *Fonte: www.puglia.org/gagliano/ )

SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA