Get To Know Apulia
You may already be familiar with Italy’s tourist hotspots, like Rome or Venice, but Apulia offers an authentic, everyday Italian experience away from all the crowds. This region is less dependent than some on tourism, therefore its growing popularity among travellers is a nice extra, rather than a total necessity. ‘Apulia’ means picturesque landscape, which certainly rings true as the local houses attract just as much attention as the designated monuments. This region is brimming with history and cultural and religious traditions that are handed down from generation to generation.
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Famous for its excellent extra virgin olive oil, Altamura’s iconic bread and Locorotondo, Negroamaro and Primitivo wines, during the daytime Apulia feels a little like time has stood still. However, it is much more vibrant in the evening, when tourists and locals alike gather to eat and chat in restaurants around the main squares. In a nutshell, a holiday in Apulia offers plenty to attract those who love monuments and beautiful architecture, but is also a great choice for relaxing on the beach. And with about 800 kilometres of coastline, complete with wild beaches and rugged caves, tourists are well accommodated.
Beautiful Bari
Apulia’s capital Bari is home to the famous homemade orecchiette pasta. Its historic centre, Bari Vecchia, is full of monuments including the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, which contains the tomb of Queen Bona and the relics of St Nicholas, along with the 12th century Castello Normanno-Svevo, now a museum. The newer Murat district is more touristy, with numerous hotels, bars and brand-name boutiques. One of Bari’s most photographed buildings is the Teatro Margherita, which sits atop stilts on the water. The theatre is a beautiful backdrop for photos and after a busy day of sightseeing, is a perfect place to sit and soak up the harbourside atmosphere.
Apulia province is also home to the small-but-atmospheric town of Polignano a Mare. You enter its historic area via a beautiful gate called Arco Marchesale. One of Polignano a Mare’s most popular sights is the mediaeval Palazzo dell’Orologio palace, renowned for its eye-catching sundial. Another must-visit is the Benedictine Abbey of San Vito, along with one of the town’s many surrounding farms.
Alberobello’s Iconic Architecture
Apulia is probably most famous for its picturesque Trulli houses. Built from dry stone, without cement-based mortar, the houses have whitewashed facades and conical roofs, many of which are painted with signs. What was originally intended as temporary homes for poorer inhabitants who wished to avoid the tax levied on permanent buildings has become a symbol of the region and a valuable monument. The Trulli houses have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best example of them is to be found in the Rione Monti district in the town of Alberobello. Some of the houses are still inhabited, while others can be rented for overnight stays. Famous houses include theCasa D’Amore and Trullo Sovrano — the only two-storey Trulli.
These characteristic houses have influenced the rest of Alberobello’s architecture. You can see this while visiting the church of Sant’Antonio di Padova, which was built later in the 20th century, but that has been designed to echo the Trulli’s distinctive shape. Also in Alberobello is the “white town” of Locorotondo. The beautiful white houses and churches offer a striking contrast to the nearby olive groves and vineyards and the ideal location to sample the local wine and the panoramic views before visiting the baroque, fresco-adorned San Nicola church.
The Baroque City of Lecce
The next stop on our tour is Lecce, often referred to as the Florence of the South. The ruins of its Roman amphitheatre date back to the first century BC and the city boasts many richly-decorated baroque buildings, including the Basilica of the Holy Cross. You’ll also notice baroque decor in the Cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta and the castle of Carlo V, which is also home to a charming paper-mâché museum. The local tradition of creating handmade figures from paper continues to thrive to this day.
Just 13 km from Lecce is Vernole, a town that also boasts Baroque religious buildings. However there’s more to the town than its churches — you can admire thousand-year-old olive groves and visit a former underground oil mill, hidden in the very centre of the town. In fact, underground oil mills are characteristic of Apulia and were often built on the ruins of old granaries. Morciano di Leuca is a particularly well-preserved example, with plenty of exhibitions and displays demonstrating what this industry once looked like.
UNESCO Attractions
The region is home to a generous number of UNESCO World Heritage sites. One such site is Castel del Monte, a fortress that once belonged to Emperor Frederick II. Its mixture of gothic, Islamic and classical antiquity styles is fascinating and is sure to charm any visitor; nearby Andria is also home to the charming Church of St. Augustine. The region’s UNESCO list also includes The Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel in Monte Sant’Angelo and Foresta Umbra — a centuries-old oak forest in Gargano National Park.
Apulia’s Coastal Charms
Apulia enjoys the crystal waters of the Adriatic and the Ionian Sea, fringed by golden, sandy beaches, secret coves and rugged cliffs. This, along with near-perfect watersport conditions can quickly turn your lazy holiday plans into something far more active! One of the region’s most famous attractions is Zinzulusa Cave, located just to the south of Castro. Take a guided tour to admire the cave’s numerous stalagmites and stalactites then finish your day at the nearby Castro Marina beach. While in Bari, the Pane e Pomodoro municipal beach and the Torre Quetta beach welcome both surfers and pets, while those who prefer to avoid sandy toes can check out the pebbly Libera Provolina beach.
Polignano a Mare is the perfect place for sun-worshippers. The famous Lama Monachile beach is surrounded by cliffs, while the Grotta Palazzese is a romantic restaurant hidden inside a cave — book well in advance to secure a table. Alberobello is also a good base for exploring the nearby area and is just 20 kilometres from the Adriatic Sea. Lecce’s nearest beaches are in San Cataldo, while the entire Apulia region has many marine protected areas and reserves, such as Torre Guaceto, offering an escape from the crowds. Vernole’s best nature reserve is Le Cesine, where you can admire the rich fauna and flora, then relax on one of the beaches.
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A final note — always be sure to follow any signs carefully, as not all areas are open to tourists. And enjoy!
