Lucy's guide to Puglia

Lucy
Lucy's guide to Puglia

Things to do and see

Sitting on Puglia's Adriatic coast around 30km south of Bari, Monopoli is a lovely town for a day trip, possibly in combination with Polignano a Mare just up the coast, mixing a dip in the sea with a good lunch and a wander around the old town centre. Like so many towns on the Adriatic, Monopoli's history has been thoroughly influenced by its east-facing position and its fortified sea-front walls and castle tell many a story. Parking in or around Piazza XX Settembre, location of a colourful street market, head east towards the cathedral. To find it just look upwards and you are sure to see its elegantly conceived bell tower thrusting into the sky. Built in 1693, the tower is over 60 metres high, completely dominating the town below. Passing by the cathedral (or after a quick look in), continue heading east and you will soon come to the first part of the sea-front, with its defensive walls and sandy bay, ideal for a refreshing dip. Continue down the lovely Via Papacenere, which will take you behind the walls and onto the Lungomare sea-front promenade, complete with some fine buildings, including the curvaceous Church of Santa Maria della Zaffira, a cannon-mounted bastion and the impressively robust Charles V Castle, built in 1552. The castle is visitable and the view from the top is wonderful. Passing under an archway outside the castle, you will arrive in the port, comprised by a series of little harbours. Wandering half way round the first one, busy with fishermen mending their nets or unloading the day's catch, a little street will take you back into town and, along Via Cimino, back to your starting point at Piazza XX Settembre.
423 residents recomanen
Monopoli
423 residents recomanen
Sitting on Puglia's Adriatic coast around 30km south of Bari, Monopoli is a lovely town for a day trip, possibly in combination with Polignano a Mare just up the coast, mixing a dip in the sea with a good lunch and a wander around the old town centre. Like so many towns on the Adriatic, Monopoli's history has been thoroughly influenced by its east-facing position and its fortified sea-front walls and castle tell many a story. Parking in or around Piazza XX Settembre, location of a colourful street market, head east towards the cathedral. To find it just look upwards and you are sure to see its elegantly conceived bell tower thrusting into the sky. Built in 1693, the tower is over 60 metres high, completely dominating the town below. Passing by the cathedral (or after a quick look in), continue heading east and you will soon come to the first part of the sea-front, with its defensive walls and sandy bay, ideal for a refreshing dip. Continue down the lovely Via Papacenere, which will take you behind the walls and onto the Lungomare sea-front promenade, complete with some fine buildings, including the curvaceous Church of Santa Maria della Zaffira, a cannon-mounted bastion and the impressively robust Charles V Castle, built in 1552. The castle is visitable and the view from the top is wonderful. Passing under an archway outside the castle, you will arrive in the port, comprised by a series of little harbours. Wandering half way round the first one, busy with fishermen mending their nets or unloading the day's catch, a little street will take you back into town and, along Via Cimino, back to your starting point at Piazza XX Settembre.
A shining gem on the coast of the Valle d’Itria, perched atop a 20 metre-high limestone cliff above the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic, Polignano a Mare truly lives up to its name and literally could not be any more ‘at sea’! The origins of this enchanting place date back to the 4th century BC when Greek settlers founded the city of Neapolis. It flourished under the Romans and was important enough for Emperor Trajan to direct his Via Traiana, built between 108-110 AD, through the town. Remains of this road include a bridge at Lama Monachile, just north of the historic centre. Polignano offers all the right ingredients for a perfect day out. The tiny old town, reached through the Porta Vecchia gate, combines charming, white-washed streets with beautiful old churches such as the Chiesa Matrice. You may find yourself getting lost in the winding streets, but you won’t mind at all. Before you know it, you will have reached one of three panoramic terraces offering breathtaking views of the beautiful Adriatic Sea and coastline. After a stroll through the town and a coffee in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, why not pop down to the Blue Flag beach, just a few minutes’ walk from the old centre? A firm favourite with the locals, the beach has crystal clear waters and is flanked on two sides by cliffs from which children and teenagers dive all through the day until sunset. . Polignano is famous throughout the world for three things. First of all is, as hinted at above, cliff diving. In recent years the town has hosted the Red Bull diving competition, attracting crowds of 45,000 people in 2010! Second is its outstanding ice-cream, which you really cannot afford to miss on a hot summer’s evening. The third and possibly most famous export of Polignano a Mare, however, is the great Domenico Modugno, who wrote and sang numerous classic songs, including the massive international hit, Volare (originally entitled Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu)! The locals are incredibly proud of their favourite son and rightly so. As you wander through the streets that inspired such a wonderful song, you might well find yourself involuntarily singing or whistling, “Volare, oh,oh… Cantare, oh,oh,oh,oh… Nel blu dipinto di blu… felice di stare lassù…”.
701 residents recomanen
Polignano a Mare
701 residents recomanen
A shining gem on the coast of the Valle d’Itria, perched atop a 20 metre-high limestone cliff above the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic, Polignano a Mare truly lives up to its name and literally could not be any more ‘at sea’! The origins of this enchanting place date back to the 4th century BC when Greek settlers founded the city of Neapolis. It flourished under the Romans and was important enough for Emperor Trajan to direct his Via Traiana, built between 108-110 AD, through the town. Remains of this road include a bridge at Lama Monachile, just north of the historic centre. Polignano offers all the right ingredients for a perfect day out. The tiny old town, reached through the Porta Vecchia gate, combines charming, white-washed streets with beautiful old churches such as the Chiesa Matrice. You may find yourself getting lost in the winding streets, but you won’t mind at all. Before you know it, you will have reached one of three panoramic terraces offering breathtaking views of the beautiful Adriatic Sea and coastline. After a stroll through the town and a coffee in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, why not pop down to the Blue Flag beach, just a few minutes’ walk from the old centre? A firm favourite with the locals, the beach has crystal clear waters and is flanked on two sides by cliffs from which children and teenagers dive all through the day until sunset. . Polignano is famous throughout the world for three things. First of all is, as hinted at above, cliff diving. In recent years the town has hosted the Red Bull diving competition, attracting crowds of 45,000 people in 2010! Second is its outstanding ice-cream, which you really cannot afford to miss on a hot summer’s evening. The third and possibly most famous export of Polignano a Mare, however, is the great Domenico Modugno, who wrote and sang numerous classic songs, including the massive international hit, Volare (originally entitled Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu)! The locals are incredibly proud of their favourite son and rightly so. As you wander through the streets that inspired such a wonderful song, you might well find yourself involuntarily singing or whistling, “Volare, oh,oh… Cantare, oh,oh,oh,oh… Nel blu dipinto di blu… felice di stare lassù…”.
Rising high above the vast olive-carpeted plateau of the lower Murgia, Ostuni has long been an awe-inspiring sight for those travelling across Puglia. Strong defensive walls and tumbling clusters of white-washed houses wind around the hillside, at the top of which, proudly surveying the surrounding land, sits the magnificent Gothic cathedral. First founded by an indigenous tribe some 600 years before Christ, Ostuni’s long and varied history saw it pass from the Romans to the Ostrogoths, from the Lombards to the Saracens, from the Byzantines to the Normans, from the Hohenstaufen to the Angevins and from the Aragonese to the Bourbons. Traces remain from each domination but most of what visitors can see today dates from between the 1400s and the 1700s. The most distinguishing characteristic of Ostuni and the reason for its taking the epithet La Città Bianca, is its uniformly white buildings. Originally the practice of lime-washing the town's served as a means of lightening up the dark, labyrinthine medieval streets but in the 17th century it became a matter of life and death and was used to limit the depredations of the plague. Wandering through the streets today, visitors are charmed by Ostuni's medieval layout. The narrow back streets, little passages and flights of steps make it delightfully easy to lose one's bearings! Suitably, however, the climax of any visit arrives when you reach the highest part of town, home to the imposing Archbishop’s palace and the 15th century Concattedrale with its curvaceous, symmetrical façade and rose window. The views from Ostuni are, by themselves, reason enough to make a trip there. Wonderful vistas abound from all angles, the best of which offer 360-degree panoramas of the surrounding countryside and the Adriatic Sea. The coastline near Ostuni (just 8km away) boasts some of Puglia’s loveliest beaches whose cleanliness and quality of amenities are testified to by the 5 Blue Flags won in recent years. Festivals and events - The Cavalcata di Sant’Oronzo, a celebration of the town’s patron saint, takes place between the 24th-27th August. The high point, on the penultimate day, is a knightly, costumed procession on horseback. - For food lovers, Ostuni is the place to be on 15th August, when the Sagra dei Vecchi Tempi comes to town, offering visitors the chance to try some of the area’s most traditional dishes.
886 residents recomanen
Ostuni
886 residents recomanen
Rising high above the vast olive-carpeted plateau of the lower Murgia, Ostuni has long been an awe-inspiring sight for those travelling across Puglia. Strong defensive walls and tumbling clusters of white-washed houses wind around the hillside, at the top of which, proudly surveying the surrounding land, sits the magnificent Gothic cathedral. First founded by an indigenous tribe some 600 years before Christ, Ostuni’s long and varied history saw it pass from the Romans to the Ostrogoths, from the Lombards to the Saracens, from the Byzantines to the Normans, from the Hohenstaufen to the Angevins and from the Aragonese to the Bourbons. Traces remain from each domination but most of what visitors can see today dates from between the 1400s and the 1700s. The most distinguishing characteristic of Ostuni and the reason for its taking the epithet La Città Bianca, is its uniformly white buildings. Originally the practice of lime-washing the town's served as a means of lightening up the dark, labyrinthine medieval streets but in the 17th century it became a matter of life and death and was used to limit the depredations of the plague. Wandering through the streets today, visitors are charmed by Ostuni's medieval layout. The narrow back streets, little passages and flights of steps make it delightfully easy to lose one's bearings! Suitably, however, the climax of any visit arrives when you reach the highest part of town, home to the imposing Archbishop’s palace and the 15th century Concattedrale with its curvaceous, symmetrical façade and rose window. The views from Ostuni are, by themselves, reason enough to make a trip there. Wonderful vistas abound from all angles, the best of which offer 360-degree panoramas of the surrounding countryside and the Adriatic Sea. The coastline near Ostuni (just 8km away) boasts some of Puglia’s loveliest beaches whose cleanliness and quality of amenities are testified to by the 5 Blue Flags won in recent years. Festivals and events - The Cavalcata di Sant’Oronzo, a celebration of the town’s patron saint, takes place between the 24th-27th August. The high point, on the penultimate day, is a knightly, costumed procession on horseback. - For food lovers, Ostuni is the place to be on 15th August, when the Sagra dei Vecchi Tempi comes to town, offering visitors the chance to try some of the area’s most traditional dishes.
Locorotondo is one of Puglia's prettiest towns with a proudly conserved, easily-walkable centre and a calm, laid-back atmosphere. Its luminous white-washed walls and panoramic position recall Ostuni, the Citta' Bianca, but its location, in the middle of the Valle d'Itria, invites more comparisons with its UNESCO World Heritage Site neighbour, Alberobello. This latter is famous for its delightful trulli-speckled centre and yet, despite being just 8km down the road, Locorotondo chose to follow a completely different building route! No cone-topped cylinders here, but plenty of cummerse, narrow rectangular town houses with pointed gable roofs, strangely evocative of north European, Baltic architecture. These simple, angular buildings that predominate the centre belie the town's true shape, which, as its name implies, is "rotund", both horizontally (thanks to its circular street plan) and vertically (it hugs the contours of the curvaceous hill on which it sits). The old protective walls are traced by a perimeter road offering wonderful views over the surrounding agricultural land, a quilt of vineyards, olive groves and trulli dissected by dry-stone walls. It is no coincidence that Locorotondo is known as the "balcony of the Valle d'Itria". From the two original gates, one enters a web of streets that wind indolently up to the central piazza. The whiteness of the cummerse is interrupted only by the occasional polychrome flash of a baroque palace or a vibrantly coloured flower box. The early 19th century Church of St. George and the fine Romanesque Church of the Madonna della Greca are worth a look but monuments and churches are not the reason to visit Locorotondo: its charm lies in the collective whole rather than in its constituent parts. When you've spent an hour or so wandering the streets and are ready for lunch, try some u tridde, Locorotondo's speciality, a freshly made pasta incorporating pecorino cheese and finely-chopped parsley cut into small pieces and cooked in a wholesome turkey broth. Washed down with a glass or two of Locorotondo DOC wine from the Cantina Sociale, you'll soon be ready to continue touring the wonderful Valle d'Itria.
353 residents recomanen
Locorotondo
353 residents recomanen
Locorotondo is one of Puglia's prettiest towns with a proudly conserved, easily-walkable centre and a calm, laid-back atmosphere. Its luminous white-washed walls and panoramic position recall Ostuni, the Citta' Bianca, but its location, in the middle of the Valle d'Itria, invites more comparisons with its UNESCO World Heritage Site neighbour, Alberobello. This latter is famous for its delightful trulli-speckled centre and yet, despite being just 8km down the road, Locorotondo chose to follow a completely different building route! No cone-topped cylinders here, but plenty of cummerse, narrow rectangular town houses with pointed gable roofs, strangely evocative of north European, Baltic architecture. These simple, angular buildings that predominate the centre belie the town's true shape, which, as its name implies, is "rotund", both horizontally (thanks to its circular street plan) and vertically (it hugs the contours of the curvaceous hill on which it sits). The old protective walls are traced by a perimeter road offering wonderful views over the surrounding agricultural land, a quilt of vineyards, olive groves and trulli dissected by dry-stone walls. It is no coincidence that Locorotondo is known as the "balcony of the Valle d'Itria". From the two original gates, one enters a web of streets that wind indolently up to the central piazza. The whiteness of the cummerse is interrupted only by the occasional polychrome flash of a baroque palace or a vibrantly coloured flower box. The early 19th century Church of St. George and the fine Romanesque Church of the Madonna della Greca are worth a look but monuments and churches are not the reason to visit Locorotondo: its charm lies in the collective whole rather than in its constituent parts. When you've spent an hour or so wandering the streets and are ready for lunch, try some u tridde, Locorotondo's speciality, a freshly made pasta incorporating pecorino cheese and finely-chopped parsley cut into small pieces and cooked in a wholesome turkey broth. Washed down with a glass or two of Locorotondo DOC wine from the Cantina Sociale, you'll soon be ready to continue touring the wonderful Valle d'Itria.
Trulli, trulli everywhere... It must be Alberobello, Puglia's picture-postcard town famous for its conical-roofed houses - trulli! It's not just a pretty picture, though, but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protected thanks to its "outstanding universal value... an exceptional example of a form of building construction deriving from prehistoric construction techniques that have survived intact and functioning into the modern world." With its narrow pedestrianised streets, little shops selling local produce and a few nice cafes and trattorie offering al fresco dining, Alberobello is a great day out for families with young children, who, in our experience, love the trulli and remember them as one of the highlights of their holiday!
963 residents recomanen
Alberobello
963 residents recomanen
Trulli, trulli everywhere... It must be Alberobello, Puglia's picture-postcard town famous for its conical-roofed houses - trulli! It's not just a pretty picture, though, but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protected thanks to its "outstanding universal value... an exceptional example of a form of building construction deriving from prehistoric construction techniques that have survived intact and functioning into the modern world." With its narrow pedestrianised streets, little shops selling local produce and a few nice cafes and trattorie offering al fresco dining, Alberobello is a great day out for families with young children, who, in our experience, love the trulli and remember them as one of the highlights of their holiday!
While not always the first town visitors go to see in Puglia, Bari, the regional capital, has plenty to offer and is well worth spending time in. For millennia, Bari has been an busy commercial centre and trading port. It first came to prominence under the Romans who developed it into one of the most important towns on the Adriatic. This status was confirmed in 109AD when Emperor Trajan diverted the existing Via Appia so that it would pass through the city, essentially provincialising Taranto and elevating Bari to its present status as Puglia's capital. During Byzantine rule, which lasted, on and off, for around 500 years after the fall of Rome, Bari became inextricably linked to the eastern Mediterranean, as the town's port became a fulcrum of the slave trade which saw thousands of east Europeans sent to Turkey and other countries in the Middle East. Later Bari became a major point of departure for the Crusades. This connection to the near orient continues today and since 1930 Bari has played host to one of the Mediterranean's most prestigious trade fairs, the Fiera del Levante. It is worth adding, also, that Bari is the busiest passenger port in the Adriatic, with regular ferry links to the Balkans and Greece. Bari boasts a long seafront promenade which leads from Bari Vecchia to the more modern shopping district, built on an octagonal plan in the early 19th century by Joachim Murat, Napoleon's brother-in-law. The Levant has also suffused the city's religious history and until 1025, when Byzantine rule ended, Bari came under the episcopal jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Constantinople. Later in the same century, under Norman rule, came Bari's defining historical moment: the arrival of the relics of San Nicola. The saint's original resting place, Myra in Lycia (part of modern-day Turkey), had come under Muslim control and so sailors from Bari and Venice set out to retrieve his mortal remains. The Puglians arrived first and brought back his relics to Bari on 9th May 1087. Needing a suitable depository for their newly acquired venerable objects, the townsfolk immediately began work on what would become the city's most important building: the Basilica di San Nicola. The Basilica we see today dates back to the end of the 12th century and is a fine example of Romanesque architecture. It is the focal point of Bari Vecchia (the old town) and receives thousands of pilgrims from all over the world each year, including a great many Greek and Russian Orthodox visitors. Of particular note is the Festa di San Nicola, which runs from 7th-9th May each year in celebration of the arrival of the saint's relics in Bari... Not to be missed if you're in the area! Bari Vecchia is a fascinating weave of streets that, until around 10 years ago, was considered a no-go area by the locals (note to football fans: this is where Antonio Cassano grew up!). A radical clean-up operation, however, has transformed it into a wonderful area for strolling, full of cafés, bars and restaurants. Just a short walk from Piazza San Nicola are Bari's other major architectural attractions: the Cattedrale di San Sabino, also built in a late 12th century Romanesque style by the Normans, and the Castello Svevo, Emperor Frederick II's mighty fortress. Bari boasts a long seafront promenade which leads from Bari Vecchia to the more modern shopping district, built on an octagonal plan in the early 19th century by Joachim Murat, Napoleon's brother-in-law. For opera lovers, a trip to Bari should include a night at the Teatro Petruzzelli, the fourth largest opera house in Italy, after the Teatro Massimo in Palermo, La Scala in Milan and the San Carlo in Naples. Originally built in the mid-19th century, it was almost completely destroyed in 1991 by a fire that broke out after a performance of Bellini's Norma. After years of restoration it was reopened in 2009.
200 residents recomanen
Bari
200 residents recomanen
While not always the first town visitors go to see in Puglia, Bari, the regional capital, has plenty to offer and is well worth spending time in. For millennia, Bari has been an busy commercial centre and trading port. It first came to prominence under the Romans who developed it into one of the most important towns on the Adriatic. This status was confirmed in 109AD when Emperor Trajan diverted the existing Via Appia so that it would pass through the city, essentially provincialising Taranto and elevating Bari to its present status as Puglia's capital. During Byzantine rule, which lasted, on and off, for around 500 years after the fall of Rome, Bari became inextricably linked to the eastern Mediterranean, as the town's port became a fulcrum of the slave trade which saw thousands of east Europeans sent to Turkey and other countries in the Middle East. Later Bari became a major point of departure for the Crusades. This connection to the near orient continues today and since 1930 Bari has played host to one of the Mediterranean's most prestigious trade fairs, the Fiera del Levante. It is worth adding, also, that Bari is the busiest passenger port in the Adriatic, with regular ferry links to the Balkans and Greece. Bari boasts a long seafront promenade which leads from Bari Vecchia to the more modern shopping district, built on an octagonal plan in the early 19th century by Joachim Murat, Napoleon's brother-in-law. The Levant has also suffused the city's religious history and until 1025, when Byzantine rule ended, Bari came under the episcopal jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Constantinople. Later in the same century, under Norman rule, came Bari's defining historical moment: the arrival of the relics of San Nicola. The saint's original resting place, Myra in Lycia (part of modern-day Turkey), had come under Muslim control and so sailors from Bari and Venice set out to retrieve his mortal remains. The Puglians arrived first and brought back his relics to Bari on 9th May 1087. Needing a suitable depository for their newly acquired venerable objects, the townsfolk immediately began work on what would become the city's most important building: the Basilica di San Nicola. The Basilica we see today dates back to the end of the 12th century and is a fine example of Romanesque architecture. It is the focal point of Bari Vecchia (the old town) and receives thousands of pilgrims from all over the world each year, including a great many Greek and Russian Orthodox visitors. Of particular note is the Festa di San Nicola, which runs from 7th-9th May each year in celebration of the arrival of the saint's relics in Bari... Not to be missed if you're in the area! Bari Vecchia is a fascinating weave of streets that, until around 10 years ago, was considered a no-go area by the locals (note to football fans: this is where Antonio Cassano grew up!). A radical clean-up operation, however, has transformed it into a wonderful area for strolling, full of cafés, bars and restaurants. Just a short walk from Piazza San Nicola are Bari's other major architectural attractions: the Cattedrale di San Sabino, also built in a late 12th century Romanesque style by the Normans, and the Castello Svevo, Emperor Frederick II's mighty fortress. Bari boasts a long seafront promenade which leads from Bari Vecchia to the more modern shopping district, built on an octagonal plan in the early 19th century by Joachim Murat, Napoleon's brother-in-law. For opera lovers, a trip to Bari should include a night at the Teatro Petruzzelli, the fourth largest opera house in Italy, after the Teatro Massimo in Palermo, La Scala in Milan and the San Carlo in Naples. Originally built in the mid-19th century, it was almost completely destroyed in 1991 by a fire that broke out after a performance of Bellini's Norma. After years of restoration it was reopened in 2009.
Built in the local soft creamy limestone with dazzling architectural surprises around every corner, Lecce is a minor Baroque masterpiece. Its spider's web of streets offer a kaleidoscopic mix of long-range vistas, alluring glimpses and playful perspectives that have long enchanted visitors. Supported by a history going back at least 2,500 years, modern-day Lecce is the main town on Puglia's Salento peninsula and a major draw for the area's tourism industry. Its 95,000 inhabitants haven't forgotten their roots, however, and the production and sale of olive oil, wine and ceramics continues to be the mainstay of the local economy. History Legend tells us that a town existed near the site of Lecce right back at the time of the Trojan Wars, though this is hard to verify. What is sure, however, is that the town was taken over by the Romans in the 3rd century BC. Evidently not caring much for its position, they moved it 3km north, began developing its potential and renamed it Licea. The Emperor Hadrian spent considerable time and resources fortifying it (he loved building walls remember!) and oversaw the building of an archetypally straight Roman road linking the town to the coast (at modern day San Cataldo, about 10km away). The town's stature was assured with the construction of a 25,000-seater amphitheatre and a theatre. With the fall of Rome, Lecce eventually came under the control of Byzantium in 549 and it remained thus until the arrival of the Normans in the 11th century. It prospered greatly as part of the Kingdom of Sicily and from 1053 to 1463 it was one of the most important towns in southern Italy. The early 17th century saw a new invasion, but this time of a cultural variety: the Baroque! Over the course of a hundred or so years, the town changed face almost completely. Existing churches and buildings were given makeovers and many new ones were built by ambitious young architects whose fantasy new no bounds. Baroque Lecce was born and most still survives to wow visitors. Sights to see while strolling through Lecce's lovely streets Piazza del Duomo is a real treat, surrounded, as it is, by some delightful buildings. The Duomo itself was built originally in 1144 but with the arrival of the Baroque zealots in the mid-17th century it was given a facelift and a 70m-high bell tower was added for good measure. The Basilica di Santa Croce has one of the finest and most intricate Baroque facades in Italy. The level of detail is quite stunning and the evident perfectionism of its creators most probably contributed to the building's exceptionally long period of gestation: it took over 200 years to complete before it was finally opened for worship in 1695. The Church of Saints Niccolo’ and Cataldo is a fascinating Norman church built by King Tancred of Sicily in 1180. The façade was significantly embellished with statues and other decorative art in the early 1700s, but the impressive original portal fortunately remained. The result is a fascinating mix of Norman austerity and Italianate Baroque fussiness. Cafés, bars and restaurants flank the streets offering refreshments and front row seats from which to observe the comings and goings of the locals as they go about their daily business. The Statue of Saint Oronzo: Saint Oronzo is the beloved patron saint of Lecce. The column from which his statue surveys the old town centre of Lecce was originally one of two that signalled the end of the Roman Via Appia in Brindisi. It arrived in Lecce in the 17th century as a gift from the people of Brindisi, who believed that their neighbour's patron Saint had interceded on their behalf and save their town from the plague. Under the gaze of Saint Oronzo's statue is Lecce's Roman amphitheatre, built at the end of the 2nd Century BC. A series of earthquakes, bombardments and unfortunate town-planning initiatives meant that it remained buried and forgotten until after the 2nd World War, when excavations began. About two thirds of the arena were uncovered and archaeologists have calculated that it would have measure some 100x80m with a capacity of around 25,000 spectators. Il Castello di Carlo V: Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain (just two of his many titles), inherited vast swathes of Europe, including the south-east of Italy. Plagued by attacks from the bothersome Ottomans, he ordered a series of towers and fortifications to be built along the coast of Puglia. One such work was the castle in Lecce, built between 1539 and 1549 on the site of an existing Norman fortress. Its muscular ramparts belie the beauty of the interiors, which feature a delightful central courtyard and a series of halls decorated to suit the tastes of a Holy Roman Emperor. Today the castle plays host to cultural and artistic events. A quintessentially southern Italian town, bursting with piazzas and palazzi, Lecce's old town centre is a wonderful setting for the strolling visitor. Cafés, bars and restaurants flank the streets offering refreshments and front row seats from which to observe the comings and goings of the locals as they go about their daily business.
1001 residents recomanen
Lecce
1001 residents recomanen
Built in the local soft creamy limestone with dazzling architectural surprises around every corner, Lecce is a minor Baroque masterpiece. Its spider's web of streets offer a kaleidoscopic mix of long-range vistas, alluring glimpses and playful perspectives that have long enchanted visitors. Supported by a history going back at least 2,500 years, modern-day Lecce is the main town on Puglia's Salento peninsula and a major draw for the area's tourism industry. Its 95,000 inhabitants haven't forgotten their roots, however, and the production and sale of olive oil, wine and ceramics continues to be the mainstay of the local economy. History Legend tells us that a town existed near the site of Lecce right back at the time of the Trojan Wars, though this is hard to verify. What is sure, however, is that the town was taken over by the Romans in the 3rd century BC. Evidently not caring much for its position, they moved it 3km north, began developing its potential and renamed it Licea. The Emperor Hadrian spent considerable time and resources fortifying it (he loved building walls remember!) and oversaw the building of an archetypally straight Roman road linking the town to the coast (at modern day San Cataldo, about 10km away). The town's stature was assured with the construction of a 25,000-seater amphitheatre and a theatre. With the fall of Rome, Lecce eventually came under the control of Byzantium in 549 and it remained thus until the arrival of the Normans in the 11th century. It prospered greatly as part of the Kingdom of Sicily and from 1053 to 1463 it was one of the most important towns in southern Italy. The early 17th century saw a new invasion, but this time of a cultural variety: the Baroque! Over the course of a hundred or so years, the town changed face almost completely. Existing churches and buildings were given makeovers and many new ones were built by ambitious young architects whose fantasy new no bounds. Baroque Lecce was born and most still survives to wow visitors. Sights to see while strolling through Lecce's lovely streets Piazza del Duomo is a real treat, surrounded, as it is, by some delightful buildings. The Duomo itself was built originally in 1144 but with the arrival of the Baroque zealots in the mid-17th century it was given a facelift and a 70m-high bell tower was added for good measure. The Basilica di Santa Croce has one of the finest and most intricate Baroque facades in Italy. The level of detail is quite stunning and the evident perfectionism of its creators most probably contributed to the building's exceptionally long period of gestation: it took over 200 years to complete before it was finally opened for worship in 1695. The Church of Saints Niccolo’ and Cataldo is a fascinating Norman church built by King Tancred of Sicily in 1180. The façade was significantly embellished with statues and other decorative art in the early 1700s, but the impressive original portal fortunately remained. The result is a fascinating mix of Norman austerity and Italianate Baroque fussiness. Cafés, bars and restaurants flank the streets offering refreshments and front row seats from which to observe the comings and goings of the locals as they go about their daily business. The Statue of Saint Oronzo: Saint Oronzo is the beloved patron saint of Lecce. The column from which his statue surveys the old town centre of Lecce was originally one of two that signalled the end of the Roman Via Appia in Brindisi. It arrived in Lecce in the 17th century as a gift from the people of Brindisi, who believed that their neighbour's patron Saint had interceded on their behalf and save their town from the plague. Under the gaze of Saint Oronzo's statue is Lecce's Roman amphitheatre, built at the end of the 2nd Century BC. A series of earthquakes, bombardments and unfortunate town-planning initiatives meant that it remained buried and forgotten until after the 2nd World War, when excavations began. About two thirds of the arena were uncovered and archaeologists have calculated that it would have measure some 100x80m with a capacity of around 25,000 spectators. Il Castello di Carlo V: Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain (just two of his many titles), inherited vast swathes of Europe, including the south-east of Italy. Plagued by attacks from the bothersome Ottomans, he ordered a series of towers and fortifications to be built along the coast of Puglia. One such work was the castle in Lecce, built between 1539 and 1549 on the site of an existing Norman fortress. Its muscular ramparts belie the beauty of the interiors, which feature a delightful central courtyard and a series of halls decorated to suit the tastes of a Holy Roman Emperor. Today the castle plays host to cultural and artistic events. A quintessentially southern Italian town, bursting with piazzas and palazzi, Lecce's old town centre is a wonderful setting for the strolling visitor. Cafés, bars and restaurants flank the streets offering refreshments and front row seats from which to observe the comings and goings of the locals as they go about their daily business.
Pub quiz fans may wish to store away the following nugget of trivia: Otranto is Italy's easternmost town. But it is much more than just that: its mix of history, architecture, views, sea-front restaurants and white sandy beach makes it one of Puglia's most interesting, charming and picturesque towns. Otranto sits right on the Adriatic sea, gazing out across its eponymous strait towards the Balkans and Greece, a strategic position that has profoundly influenced its history. In Roman times, it became an important commercial port - there was a significant Jewish population of traders - but also a departure point for Roman military expeditions to the east, as testified to by two marble pillar bases recording the transient presence of Emperors Lucio Vero and Marco Aurelio. For a period Otranto even overshadowed Brindisi. The sack of Otranto Otranto's east-facing sea-front position, however, also made it susceptible to attacks from across the Adriatic. The most notorious took place on 28th July 1480, when a Turkish fleet of around 150 ships carrying 18,000 soldiers landed to lay siege to the town. The resistance and resilience of the town's folk is stuff of legend but after two weeks of fighting Gedik Ahmed Pasha, the Turkish commander, and his men finally stormed the castle and laid waste to the town and its population. All males over 15 were murdered and the women and children were sold into slavery. 800 survivors barricaded themselves inside the Cathedral with their bishop, Stefano Agricoli, to pray for deliverance. Divine intervention was not forthcoming, however, and they were soon captured. Gedik Ahmed Pasha demanded they renounce their Christian faith and convert to Islam but not one capitulated and their fate was sealed. The unfortunate bishop was cut to pieces and his head paraded round the town on a pike while the others were marched to the hill of Minerva and beheaded. Years later, in 1771, a Papal decree formally beatified the 800, who became known as the Blessed Martyrs of Otranto. The town today Otranto is certainly one of Puglia's most charming towns and is well worth a visit. The imposing castle, thick perimeter walls and robust towers (built after the town was liberated from the Turks in the late 15th century) dominate much of the town, giving way to a small port, a series of sea-front promenades with excellent fish restaurants and the town's very own beautiful white sandy beach and turquoise waters... The delightful Romanesque cathedral, dating back to 1088 and boasting extensive 12th century floor mosaics, is another highlight that should not be missed. Nearby - I Laghi Alimini are 2 interconnected lakes forming an Oasi Naturale just north of Otranto. Home to a wide range of flora and fauna and a popular stopping-off point for numerous species of migratory birds, including black and white herons and flamingos, it is a popular place with nature lovers. Through a process of erosion, the larger lake is connected to the sea and a stretch of beaches accessible only on foot. One such is the beach of Baia dei Turchi, where Gedik Ahmed Pasha and his fleet supposedly landed before attacking Otranto. - Punto Palascia (also known as Capo d'Otranto), just to the south of Otranto, is Italy's easternmost point, whose rocky shores and cliffs, stunning sea views, lighthouse and unspoilt landscape make it a great spot for coastal walking. - Porto Badisco, just to the south of Punto Palascia, is a rocky inlet giving way to a slip of sandy beach and cavernous grottoes. Legend has it that Porto Badisco was where Aeneas first set foot on Italian soil on arrival from Carthage.
719 residents recomanen
Otranto
719 residents recomanen
Pub quiz fans may wish to store away the following nugget of trivia: Otranto is Italy's easternmost town. But it is much more than just that: its mix of history, architecture, views, sea-front restaurants and white sandy beach makes it one of Puglia's most interesting, charming and picturesque towns. Otranto sits right on the Adriatic sea, gazing out across its eponymous strait towards the Balkans and Greece, a strategic position that has profoundly influenced its history. In Roman times, it became an important commercial port - there was a significant Jewish population of traders - but also a departure point for Roman military expeditions to the east, as testified to by two marble pillar bases recording the transient presence of Emperors Lucio Vero and Marco Aurelio. For a period Otranto even overshadowed Brindisi. The sack of Otranto Otranto's east-facing sea-front position, however, also made it susceptible to attacks from across the Adriatic. The most notorious took place on 28th July 1480, when a Turkish fleet of around 150 ships carrying 18,000 soldiers landed to lay siege to the town. The resistance and resilience of the town's folk is stuff of legend but after two weeks of fighting Gedik Ahmed Pasha, the Turkish commander, and his men finally stormed the castle and laid waste to the town and its population. All males over 15 were murdered and the women and children were sold into slavery. 800 survivors barricaded themselves inside the Cathedral with their bishop, Stefano Agricoli, to pray for deliverance. Divine intervention was not forthcoming, however, and they were soon captured. Gedik Ahmed Pasha demanded they renounce their Christian faith and convert to Islam but not one capitulated and their fate was sealed. The unfortunate bishop was cut to pieces and his head paraded round the town on a pike while the others were marched to the hill of Minerva and beheaded. Years later, in 1771, a Papal decree formally beatified the 800, who became known as the Blessed Martyrs of Otranto. The town today Otranto is certainly one of Puglia's most charming towns and is well worth a visit. The imposing castle, thick perimeter walls and robust towers (built after the town was liberated from the Turks in the late 15th century) dominate much of the town, giving way to a small port, a series of sea-front promenades with excellent fish restaurants and the town's very own beautiful white sandy beach and turquoise waters... The delightful Romanesque cathedral, dating back to 1088 and boasting extensive 12th century floor mosaics, is another highlight that should not be missed. Nearby - I Laghi Alimini are 2 interconnected lakes forming an Oasi Naturale just north of Otranto. Home to a wide range of flora and fauna and a popular stopping-off point for numerous species of migratory birds, including black and white herons and flamingos, it is a popular place with nature lovers. Through a process of erosion, the larger lake is connected to the sea and a stretch of beaches accessible only on foot. One such is the beach of Baia dei Turchi, where Gedik Ahmed Pasha and his fleet supposedly landed before attacking Otranto. - Punto Palascia (also known as Capo d'Otranto), just to the south of Otranto, is Italy's easternmost point, whose rocky shores and cliffs, stunning sea views, lighthouse and unspoilt landscape make it a great spot for coastal walking. - Porto Badisco, just to the south of Punto Palascia, is a rocky inlet giving way to a slip of sandy beach and cavernous grottoes. Legend has it that Porto Badisco was where Aeneas first set foot on Italian soil on arrival from Carthage.
if you are a golf lover
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San Domenico Golf
Strada Comunale Egnazia
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if you are a golf lover
Three is the magic number, so they say, and nowhere is this truer than in the Valle d'Itria with its trio of enchanting, historic towns: Alberobello, Locorotondo and Cisternino. ​ Like its sisters, Cisternino, boasts a small, utterly charming old town centre that has remained virtually intact for centuries. Its whitewashed houses, narrow, shady streets, historic churches and elegant central piazza open out onto a series of panoramic viewpoints from which visitors can take in the surrounding countryside, with its rolling hills, dry stone walls and white-tipped conical trulli roofs piercing the green fields. Cisternino is pleasant to visit at any time of day, though there is something particularly magical on a summer's evening as the sun sets and the locals come out for their evening passeggiata (stroll). The restaurants, gelaterie and bars around the piazza fill up and the atmosphere becomes gently hedonistic. Like its sisters, Cisternino, boasts a small, utterly charming old town centre that has remained virtually intact for centuries. You don't need to go to a restaurant to eat in Cisternino, however, as the town is famous for its barbecuing butchers! All you have to do is choose your meat - maybe the local speciality, bombette, little meat parcels filled with mince, ham and cheese - and take a seat outside with a carafe of local wine. The butcher will then barbecue your chosen goodies and bring them out to you when ready. A truly local (and delicious) eating experience! . The streets of Cisternino are home to some buildings of considerable architectural interest, including the 13th century Norman-Swabian tower, topped with a little statue of San Nicola, the 14th century Church of San Nicola with its 18th century facade and 6th century foundations, the curvaceous baroque Church of San Cataldo and tower-flanked Palazzo Amati. In August, Cisternino celebrates the summer with a series of festivals, including the processions for the Festa di San Quirico, one of the town's patron saints, and a couple of food festivals, or sagre, one dedicated to orecchiette (Puglia's signature ear-shaped pasta), the other to rabbit! Then in September, the town turns its attention to the grape harvest, which is toasted with yet another party!
385 residents recomanen
Cisternino
385 residents recomanen
Three is the magic number, so they say, and nowhere is this truer than in the Valle d'Itria with its trio of enchanting, historic towns: Alberobello, Locorotondo and Cisternino. ​ Like its sisters, Cisternino, boasts a small, utterly charming old town centre that has remained virtually intact for centuries. Its whitewashed houses, narrow, shady streets, historic churches and elegant central piazza open out onto a series of panoramic viewpoints from which visitors can take in the surrounding countryside, with its rolling hills, dry stone walls and white-tipped conical trulli roofs piercing the green fields. Cisternino is pleasant to visit at any time of day, though there is something particularly magical on a summer's evening as the sun sets and the locals come out for their evening passeggiata (stroll). The restaurants, gelaterie and bars around the piazza fill up and the atmosphere becomes gently hedonistic. Like its sisters, Cisternino, boasts a small, utterly charming old town centre that has remained virtually intact for centuries. You don't need to go to a restaurant to eat in Cisternino, however, as the town is famous for its barbecuing butchers! All you have to do is choose your meat - maybe the local speciality, bombette, little meat parcels filled with mince, ham and cheese - and take a seat outside with a carafe of local wine. The butcher will then barbecue your chosen goodies and bring them out to you when ready. A truly local (and delicious) eating experience! . The streets of Cisternino are home to some buildings of considerable architectural interest, including the 13th century Norman-Swabian tower, topped with a little statue of San Nicola, the 14th century Church of San Nicola with its 18th century facade and 6th century foundations, the curvaceous baroque Church of San Cataldo and tower-flanked Palazzo Amati. In August, Cisternino celebrates the summer with a series of festivals, including the processions for the Festa di San Quirico, one of the town's patron saints, and a couple of food festivals, or sagre, one dedicated to orecchiette (Puglia's signature ear-shaped pasta), the other to rabbit! Then in September, the town turns its attention to the grape harvest, which is toasted with yet another party!
Boat tours
La Baia
Via Eroi del Mare
Boat tours
A beautiful walk in time
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Parco Rupestre Lama D'Antico
SP4
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A beautiful walk in time
WF protected oasis awarded with the prestigious Blue Park Award. As well, one of the best beaches ever seen!
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Torre Guaceto
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WF protected oasis awarded with the prestigious Blue Park Award. As well, one of the best beaches ever seen!
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Zoosafari
Via dello Zoosafari
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Cave in!
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Coves de Castellana
Piazza Franco Anelli
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Cave in!
For archeology lovers
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Museo Archeologico Di Egnazia
87 Via degli Scavi
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For archeology lovers

Gastronomic offer

Olive Oil Tasting
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Masseria Il Frantoio
km 874 Strada Statale 16
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Olive Oil Tasting
Wine Tasting in Valle d'Itria
SíRose - Azienda Agricola di Bufano Vito
Via Nardelli
Wine Tasting in Valle d'Itria
Mozzarella tasting
Caseificio Aziendale Lamapecora
30 Via Fascianello
Mozzarella tasting
Cooking class
DireFareGustare
1/A Viale San Pietro Trigianello
Cooking class
Head to Cisternino, famous for its barbecuing butchers. You choose your meat (try our local speciality bombette) and take a seat outside with a jug of local wine.
385 residents recomanen
Cisternino
385 residents recomanen
Head to Cisternino, famous for its barbecuing butchers. You choose your meat (try our local speciality bombette) and take a seat outside with a jug of local wine.

Recomanacions sobre la ciutat

Com moure's per aquí

You really do need a car not to miss any small town.

Sure, there are trains and local buses, but using them exclusively to cross this varied region is going to take more time than most travellers have. It also means you’ll likely miss many of the small coves and cute little towns and villages that make Puglia so wonderful. For car rental: Pagnelli Auto
Costums i cultura

THERE'S NO ESCAPING THE 'COPERTO'!

The vast majority of restaurants in Italy (and almost all we came across in Puglia) charge something called a 'coperto'. This is an additional fee, charged per person, that is applied to the bill irrespective of what you eat, how much you spend and where you sit. Generally it ranges between one and two Euro per person.
Costums i cultura

ENGLISH IS NOT THAT WIDELY SPOKEN

Not a surprise given that it's not an English speaking country, but definitely one to note if you're used to travelling in the north of Italy or other popular tourist destinations in Europe. The larger hotels will be fine, as are hostels, and fancier restaurants should have at least one member of staff who can speak English, but in small eateries, tiny towns, petrol stations you may have to rely on your, even limited, Italian. :) See it as a fun way to learn a little more about a country, spend some time before your trip learning some basic Italian and common sentences :)
Què t'has d'emportar

DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR BIKINI ! :)

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No t'ho perdis

Eating local food

Let’s start with food, because, you know, you better argue with a full stomach. In Cisternino, especially, there are a lot of “fornelli”, old butcheries with embers where you can taste the “bombette”, little meat rolls of capocollo pork, wrapped with bacon and filled with garlic, parsley, caciocavallo cheese.
No t'ho perdis

Taking a romantic walk in Polignano a Mare

Admire the sunset on Lama Monachile bridge, walking hand in hand in the old town and have a dinner in the magical Grotta Palazzese restaurant, carved into the rock.
No t'ho perdis

Getting lost in Ostuni's alleys

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No t'ho perdis

Celebrating Carnival in Putignano

It is the oldest carnival in Italy and Europe: it is celebrated for 626 years. Scientists trace back carnival’s origins to Dionysus rituals, then “christianized” since 1394. Every Sunday on Carnival in Putignano there are a carnival floats parade with huge papier machè statue, masterpieces of pugliese handicraft.
No t'ho perdis

Going to Saint Nicholas Festival in Bari

On 7th, 8th and 9th May Bari celebrates his patron saint, Saint Nicholas. Unmissable are the historical parade that remembers the arrival of barese sailors coming from Myra (Turkey) with Saint Nicholas relics, in 1087, and the “manna” taking, a liquid coming from the Saint’s bones, with thaumaturgical features. In those days Bari is full of pilgrims from Russia, and very two years you admire the sky stunts of Frecce Tricolori.
Frases útils

USEFUL WORDS :)

1. Good Morning: Buongiorno 2. Good Evening: Buonasera 3. Thank You: Grazie 4. Welcome: Prego 5. Yes: Si` 6. No: No 7. Excuse me: Scusi 8. Airport: Aereoporto 9. Bus: Autobus 10. Exit: Uscita 11. Trolley: Carrello 12. Number: Numero 13. Suitcase: Valigia 14. Food: Cibo 15. Hotel: Albergo 16. Toilet: Bagno 17. Via: Street 18. Police: Polizia 19. Doctor: Dottore 20. Museum: Museo 21. Ticket: Biglietto 22. Train: Treno 23. Shop: Negozio 24. Products: Prodotti 25. Wine: Vino 26. ATM: Bancomat 27. Price: Prezzo 28. Restaurant: Ristorante