Apulia (
Puglia)
This region has a long coastline along both the
Adriatic and the Jonian seas . The Agricultural
production ( oil, wine, table grapes, vegetables) in Apulia is one of the
most remarkable in
Italy
and also fishing is quite important for the
Apulia economy.
Bari is the regional capital . The Romanesque works
of arts are noteworthy throughout the region ( i.e. The Cathedrals of
Bari , Trani,
Barletta,
Molfetta and others ….)
My Suggestions:
First of all
visit the marvellous old village like Trani
whose Cathedral, built in the 2nd Century dominates the little
fishing port, and is probably the most famous building in Romanesque
style, Giovinazzo, where the ancient walls
surround the beautiful old town. Still on the Adriatic coast you can pay a short
visit to Ostuni, called “the white town” for
its white walls and its typically white-painted architecture.
On the Jonian coast you can visit
Gallipoli with the suggestive old city ( like a peninsula) with the ancient
buildings and the old walls on the sea still in good condition. In the
internal part of the region the visit of Castel
del Monte is a must. The Castle a - Unesco World Heritage site – was
built in 1250 . It is a fortress erected in the form of an octagonal prism with
an octagonal bastion at each corner. Other villages worth a visit are
Alberobello with its typical “Trulli” houses -Unesco World Heritage site- a
traditional Apulian stone dwelling with a conical
roof and the city of
Lecce with its splendid Baroque
architecture.
All these Cities/Villages are very old and were founded by
Romans (some date back to before the days of ancient
Rome). Those that rise along the sea were founded as port for maritime trade.
It is important to say that all over
Apulia the food and wine are genuine and anywhere we go you can find “Trattorie” with good, typical dishes.
