Surroundings

Come and discover a land famous for its century old olive trees, its beautifully conserved historic towns, its rich and varied gastronomy, and the splendid Adriatic Coast which, from the promontory of the Gargano descends as far as the Salento, across a magnificent series of stunning landscapes. A land famous, above all, for the warmth of the people who live here.
Welcome to Puglia.

Alberobello

This town in the province of Bari, declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1996, is known for its characteristic constructions known as ‘trulli’. The most visited districts are located in the town center, and are those of Monti, a ‘national monument’ since 1910, and Aia Piccola. The traditional form of the Trullo is that of a central room, linked to a kitchen and other rooms via arched openings. Today, a number of the trulli are open to the public. Built since the 14th century, they have become a symbol of Puglia’s predominantly rural community. The largest trullo is that of Trullo Sovrano. Erected in the mid 18th century, this two floor building now serves as museum where to observe scenes which provide an accurate reconstruction of past traditions. During the summer Trullo Sovrano is transformed in unique venue where cultural events, theatrical performances and jazz concerts are held.

Ostuni

Known as the White City for its characteristic white washed houses which make the town visible from afar. Once the only way of keeping the plague at bay, today the practice of whitewashing the buildings has resulted in Ostuni being a quite unique town in Puglia. One of the region’s most visited places, Ostuni boasts not only a beautifully clean sea but also numerous buildings of great historical and architectural interest, including the Cathedral of the Assunta. The Cathedral represents one of the finest examples of Puglian Romanesque architecture, to which a number of Gothic details were subsequently added. An enormous Rose window above the central doorway dominates the façade. Inside the building there is a superb wooden sculpture of the resurrection and ceilings embellished with 18th century paintings.

Monopoli

During the middle ages, Monopoli was the town from where the Crusades departed. Today it is a modern town home to a vibrant tourist industry. Places to visit include the Castle of Carlo V, dating back to the 16th century, the Gerosolomitano Hospital (founded in 1350 by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta), the remains of the ancient perimeter wall, and the Cathedral. Piazza 20 Settembre, built entirely in red brick, is particularly striking. Also of certain interest, the Castle of Santo Stefano, an important defence post, built in 1086 by Goffredo the Norman. Monopoli is an extremely popular tourist destination, attracting thousands of holiday makers each summer, who head for the town’s beautiful coast characterised by some 25 bays and inlets. Last, but not least, there is Monopoli’s extremely vibrant nightlife.

Torre Canne

Among the most prestigious bathing resorts in Puglia, known for its glorious white sandy beaches where numerous events are held during the summer months, Torre Canne is part of the Parco Dune which comprises the coastline from Torre Canne to Torre San Leonardo. Founded in 2006, the Parco Dune is a unique natural habitat of great importance. Torre Canne is home to an excellent Spa center, where the town’s health-inducing thermal waters are used in a selection of treatments. The symbol of this fraction of Fasano is the 35m high lighthouse, built in 1929.

Putignano

A town of truly ancient origins, Putignano was founded by the Peuceti, the oldest civilisation known to have inhabited this part of Puglia. Today, Putignano is one of the region’s most flourishing town’s in economic terms. It is here that the most important of Puglia’s Carnivals is held. The procession of floats transporting immense allegorical figures made from paper mache is a spectacle not to be missed. The typical mask worn during the festivities is that of Farinella, a juggler similar in appearance to the famous Harlequin. The name Farinella is the same as that of the celebrated local dish, made from chickpeas and toasted barley. The churches situated in the historic center of Putignano are more than worthy of visit, churches such as that dedicated to San Pietro Apostolo, the disciple which, legend has it, passed through the town.

Castellana Grotte

The main tourist attraction of this town is provided by one of the largest groups of karst caves in the whole of Italy: the famous Grotte di Castellana. The caves were discovered by the speleologist Franco Anelli who, on January 23rd of 1938 descended in to the cavity of Grave di Castellina, to find himself in a vast underground complex of karst caves of great scientific interest. It was, therefore, quite by chance that the famous Grotte di Castellana came to light, caves subsequently used as the set of numerous films. The visit to the caves follows a fascinating route through caverns filled with stalactites and stalagmites, past deep crevasses and skirting underground lakes. This is where to see the shimmering Grotta Bianca, the most beautiful of the caves, the Grotta Nera, the Cavernone della Civetta, the Corridoio del Serpente, the Caverna del Precipizio, and the Piccolo Paradiso. The town’s Speleological Museum has been named after Anelli. The attractive historic center of Castellana Grotte, with its narrow streets lined by little houses built in stone, is also worthy of visit.

Fasano

On the border between the provinces of Bari and Brindisi, lies Fasano, immersed in an extraordinary landscape. Amidst a great expanse of century old olive trees, the fertile territory of Fasano extends from the hills to the sea. The historic center, with its small white washed houses, is typically Mediterranean in appearance. In the immediate vicinity, one finds the Selva di Fasano, a patch of deciduous wood comprised of oak, beech, pine, cypress and chestnut trees, located some 400 meters above sea level. The Selva is home to the Safari Fasanolandis, one of the Europe’s largest zoos, where, from the safety of their car, visitors can observe the animals roaming freely within the perimeters of the safari. Close to Fasano, there are the ruins of Egnathia, one of the largest and most interesting archaeological sites in the whole of Puglia. On the site of this ancient settlement, cited by Strabone, Plinio, and Orazio, artefacts from various periods of history have been found, including items dating back to the iron age.

Polignano a Mare

Perched on a rocky promontory 24 meters above sea level, 33 kilometers south of Bari, Poliganno a Mare is one of the most enchanting places on the Puglian coast. The town is home to a quite surprising number of buildings of great historical and artistic importance such as the Palazzo del Feudatario, the Palazzo dell’Orologio, the Palazzo del Governatore and the Marchesale Arch (once the principal gateway to the town). The Abbey of San Vito is situated some 3kms away from the center of town, in the direction of Bari. This austere and imposing monastic complex is connected to an attractive Romanesque chapel. The territory of Polignano includes a coastline with a multiplicity of small bays, deep gorges, and soaring cliffs which more often than not drop straight down in to the sea below. This delightful little fishing town was the home town of the famous singer, Domenico Modugno, born here on January 9th 1928, and to whom Polignano has dedicated one of its streets.

Cisternino

Between Bari, Brindisi, and Taranto, Cisternino is one of Italy’s most beautiful towns, where to wander through a maze of narrow lanes, amidst enchanting little white houses before stopping to admire the impressive 17 meter high Torre di Porta Grande, built in the middle ages and once the principal gateway to the town. Then there is the Church of San Nicola, built some time in the 14th century on the site of a paleochristian church, within the walls of which there are two 16th century sculptures: one a small tabernacle, the other a Madonna and child known as the Madonna del Cardellino. The people of Cisternino worship the Madonna of Irbernia to whom the sanctuary located some 3kms from the historic center, is dedicated. Legend has it, that the site of the sanctuary was indicated by the Virgin Mary herself. Each Easter Monday, celebrations are held here, and for the occasion the locals prepare every genre of cake and pastry. The Madonna of Irbernia is considered to be a symbol of life, fertility and prosperity.

Locorotondo

This attractive town rests on the highland on the border between the Murgia Barese and the Itria Valley. The name Locorotundo comes from the town’s original circular urban plan, which dates back to the early 11th century. Its historic center has been so well maintained that Locorotondo has been nominated in the list of the ‘most beautiful towns in Italy’. This compact little town comprises both modest white cottages, typical of Puglia’s coastal villages, and impressive patrician residences such as the 18th century Palazzo Morelli, built in ornate baroque style. The Palazzo Comunale, now home to the Civic Library, was built in the late 17th century. Its tower, which was erected in 1819, is adorned with the clock which originally belonged to the bell tower of the old Mother Church. In the countryside surrounding Locorotondo one finds numerous rural chapels and trulli hidden away amongst the vineyards, olive groves and orchards.