Santuario di Santa Maria del Canneto

A bastion of faith mirrored in the waters of the Ionian Sea, the Santuario di Santa Maria del Canneto rises with its Baroque architecture behind the Fontana Greca of Gallipoli, just steps from the stone bridge connecting the new town to the ancient borough.\n\nThe sacred building, overlooking the shore of the Canneto in the city’s old port, was built in the second half of the 17th century on another dedicated to San Giovanni. Accessed through a portico with three frontal arches, its interior conceals surprising preciousness: exposed carparo stonework and carved cornices, three naves topped by a coffered ceiling, and an arch with floral motifs preceding the presbytery.\n\nLegend says it was named after the Madonna del Canneto following the discovery by fishermen of the canvas of the Madonna della Visitazione, hidden among the reeds. This is why the sanctuary is the expression of the faith of the seafaring folk, who cast a glance at it every day before setting sail, entrusting themselves to the Virgin.