Gagliano Del Capo is a small town of approx. 5000 inhabitants situated in the Southern part of Salento, not far from Santa Maria di Leuca.
The town was edified on the top of Serra dei Cianci at 200 metres above sea level . A piece of of its territory, in October 2006, has been included in the National Park of Costa Otranto-Santa Maria di Leuca with the target to save the Wild life and fauna of the Eastern Coast of the Salento region. Its territory faces for approx. 9 kilometres onto the Coast; the district Ciolo, with its natural rocky bay, is one of the most enchanting places of this part of Apulia.
The first settlement of the Middle Ages, as most of the towns in the Province of Lecce, where built around a farmhouse. The town was protected by fortified walls built between 1413 and 1421, but these were not strong enough to prevent the raids of the pirate Dragut in 1547.
Gagliano is the birthplace of the famous artist Vincenzo Ciardo (1894- 1970). It is possible to visit his home which was built on the ruins of the old castle.
Of major interest are also the imposing Palazzo Daniele and the Mother Church of 1608.