Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Canneto

It is a baroque church of Gallipoli, located near the bridge connecting the old town, located on the island, to the village. Facing the Seno del Canneto, the ancient port of the city, it was built in the latter half the XVII century on an existing church dedicated to S. Giovanni in 1504 and once belonged to the Teutonic Knights. The first church building, however, dates back to the XIII and XIV centuries and was destroyed in 1502 following the siege of the French. In 1915 it was elevated to parish.
The dedication to Santa Maria del Canneto is connected to a miracle which was attended by some fishermen who, in the midst of a fire in the vicinities of the port, recovered a perfectly intact icon of the Madonna from the flames.

The church can be accesed through a portico with three front arches and two side round arches, surmounted by a pediment, on which is placed the image of the owner.