May 2024

The Salento, also known as the Penisola Salentina, is a land on the border with the East, whose architecture and culture have been strongly influenced by numerous civilizations which followed one another. Every tourist finds it really striking. It shows beautiful cliffs and marine caves where you can see the traces of ancient rocky settlements dating back to the Stone and Bronze Age. It is worth mentioning ancient rites and traditions as well as precious handmade objects inherited by civilizations such as the Messapi which inhabited these places for several centuries.

The Salento is characterized by important old town centres such as the ones of Gallipoli, Ostuni, Martina Franca, Lecce, Taranto, Manduria, Nardò, Francavilla Fontana, Oria, Otranto, Grottaglie. It is also rich of numerous rocky churches and Basilian crypts frescoed with holy images and once used as holy places during the Middle Ages. It is also worth mentioning the valuable Roman cathedrals of Otranto, Santa Maria del Casale in Brindisi, the Basilica of Santa Caterina D’Alessandria in Galatina. The Salento is famous all over the world thanks to its Baroque, which was born during the end of the 16th century, during the Counter-Reformation, and developed until the first half of the 18th century with the Rococò; it is one of the most particular artistic-architectonic models of Italy.

The history of Salento

The Salento has really ancient origins being inhabited since the Paleolith. Traces of the man of Neanderthal have been found in the caves along the coast road from Otranto to S. Maria di Leuca. The caves in this area show also finds which date back to the Neolith, which are traces of the usages of the first inhabitants of the Penisola Salentina, the way they buried dead men and their first religious rites.

During the second millenium B.C. the Messapi, a population of Illyrian origin, reached the peninsula. They prospered and opposed to the inhabitants of the Magna Graecia who had colonies scattered along the peninsula. During the third century B.C. they had to surrender to the power of the Roman Empire. The Salento remained under the Roman domination until the 5th century A.D. Some of the Messapic centres of the Salento are Otranto, Ugento, Ceglie Messapica, Manduria, Soleto, Egnazia. Afterwards the northern area of the Salento was involved in the Greek-gothic war; then it became borderland between Longobards and Byzantines creating the legend of the so called “limes bizantino”, a wall which linked Taranto to Fasano which has left numerous Specchie, particularly in the area of Ceglie Messapica and Villa Castelli. Between the 9th and 10th century the Salento has been often assailed by Saracens opposed by the Byzantines, that with Basilio the first had founded the Thema di Longobardia.

Federico II of Svevia deeply modified many castles such as the ones of Brindisi and Oria. In 1384, during the Angevin domination, the prince of Taranto Raimondo Orsini Del Balzo – having married the countess of Lecce Maria d’Enghien – became one of the most rich and powerful feudatory of the reign. In 1480, with the Aragoneses, Otranto was invaded by the Turks guided by Ahmet Pascià and suffered the massacre of 800 people who refused to convert to Islam. Between the 16th and 18th centuries Lecce became one of the most rich centres of the Baroque, thanks to a flourishing artistic life. With the Fascism the new provinces of Taranto and Brindisi were established.

The Salento is also characterized by some zones, in the area of the ancient region known as Grecia Salentina, in the central part of Salento, where ethnic-linguistic minorities speak a neo-Greek dialect. It is really worth mentioning the extinct phenomenon of the tarantismo and the cult of the pizzica, the traditional music which once characterized the recovery rites for the tarantate, that is to say women that were thought to have been bitten by the tarantula.

Towns with very ancient origins, founded by the Messapi and then become possession of the Magna-Graecia and the Roman Empire. Old town centres of great interest, rich of history and monuments. Among the most famous we find Gallipoli and Otranto, which played a central role for the politic, military and religious life of this territory, thanks to their strategic position. It is worth mentioning Lecce, a city of great charm, famous all over the world for its artistic beauties. Between the 16th and 18th centuries Lecce became one of the most rich centres of the Baroque, thanks to a flourishing artistic life.

The magnificence of the Baroque is perfectly represented by the Basilica of S. Croce with its façade rich of decorations. Another symbol of the Renaissance Baroque is the spectacular square of the Cathedral. Entering the square it is possible to admire two different façades adorned by statues representing the Saints and the Fathers of the Church. On the left stands the bell tower dominating the whole city; it was built between the 1661 and the 1682 by the architect Giuseppe Zimbalo from Lecce, by order of Luigi Pappacoda, Bishop of the town, to replace the Norman one which collapsed at the beginning of the 17th century. It has a square shape and five levels, the last one is surmounted by a glazed octagonal dome; it is 72 metres high. Going only few metres ahead you will see the Cathedral. It has been dedicated to the Assunta and built for the first time in 1144, then in 1230 and afterwards rebuilt again by Zimbalo who began the work in 1659. Inside the Cathedral shows a Latin Cross Basilican plan with semi-pillars. The central nave and the transept are decorated by a ceiling with carved lacunars, which dates back to the year 1685, showing paintings of Giuseppe from Brindisi, portraying the preaching of Saint Oronzo, the protection from the pestilence, the martyrdom of Saint Oronzo and the Last Supper. On the right side of the square there is the Seminary built at the beginning of the 18th century and next to it the Bishop’s Palace.

The coasts of the Salento show really different characteristics, now they are sandy and flat, then they show high calcareous cliffs

• Puglia

  Bari

  Bari

  70121-70132

  080

  117,30 Kmq

  313.213

  Corso Vittorio Emanuele 84

La città di Bari è il capoluogo pugliese, e si presenta oggi come una città ricca e dimanica. Esso è il nono comune italiano per numero di abitanti e il terzo nell’Italia meridionale dopo Napoli e Palermo. La sua fondazione si deve agli illiri; centro strategico sulla via Traiana diventa municipio romano, successivamente sotto il dominio longobardo, arabo e bizantino fino alla conquista normanna.

Le vicende della città in epoca medioevale sono legate all’arrivo delle reliquie di San Nicola nel 1087 e dalla costruzione della Basilica a lui dedicata, che ne fanno uno dei punti di riferimento della cristianità. Nel 1500 la città vive un momento di splendore grazie alla corte della duchessa Isabella d’Aragona. Nel 1813 durante la dominazione napoleonica, re Murat inaugura la costruzione del nuovo centro abitato che prenderà il suo nome ( quartiere murattiano ) caratterizzato dalle ampie vie ortogonali. La città vecchia, vero cuore popolare della città si estende su una piccola penisola; si caratterizza per la presenza di vicoli, archi, corti, ed è protetta dalle antiche mura, lungo le quali è possibile compiere una bella passeggiata panoramica.

Dedicata a san Sabino è la cattedrale che risale al XII secolo, eretta sulla precedente basilica paleocristiana di santa Maria che è visitabile sotto la navata centrale della chiesa medievale. In stile romanico, fu ricostruita dopo il 1156 quando venne distrutta dal normanno Guglielmo il malo. Nella seconda metà del XVIII secolo la chiesa fu completamente stravolta arricchita di stucchi e marmi alle pareti secondo il gusto barocco, elementi che sono stati rimossi nei primi anni del 1900. La chiesa conserva uno solo dei due campanili originali, l’altro crollò nel 1613; all’innesto del transetto con la navata centrale è un alto tamburo ottagonale su cui poggia la cupola riccamente decorato con motivi arabeschi. La facciata a salienti è decorata da una serie di archetti pensili che poggiano su cariatidi dalle forme fantastiche e da un rosone riccamente decorato nella sua ghiera.

Nel museo della cattedrale si conserva un prezioso rotolo miniato risalente al XI secolo utilizzato durante la liturgia pasquale. Simbolo della città è la basilica di San Nicola, edificata per custodire le reliquie del santo che arrivano nel 1087 e solo due anni più tardi nel 1089 vengo collocate nella cripta della basilica ormai terminata e consacrata da papa Urbano II. La chiesa superiore consacrata nel 1197, è uno dei maggiori capolavori del romanico pugliese. Al suo interno a tra navate a pianta basilicale con transetto, sono conservati due pezzi unici della scultura medioevale: il ciborio con capitelli figurati e la cattedra episcopale. Il soffitto a capriate della navata centrale fu nel 1661 ricoperto da un plafone ligneo dorato e dipinto, eseguito dal pittore bitontino Carlo Rosa raffigurante le storie della vita del Santo. La facciata a salienti tripartita da lesene, coronata da archetti pensili, è racchiusa tra due poderose torri di cui una detta del Catapano.

All’interno del perimetro della città vecchia è possibile visitare le chiese romaniche di San Gregorio, di San Giovanni Crisostomo, il complesso monastico di Santa Scolastica e la chiesa della Vallisa. Simbolo del potere civile della città è il castello Normanno-Svevo, eretto per volere di Ruggero il Normanno nel 1131 distrutto nel 1156 da Guglielmo il malo e fatto riedificare da Federico II. Il maniero è caratterizzato dalle torri quadre che lo sovrastano e da un largo e profondo fossato. Nel XV secolo Isabella d’Aragona con la figlia Bona Sforza regina di Polonia, lo trasformarono in una reggia rinascimentale. La leggenda vuole che proprio in questo castello ci fu l’incontro tra san Francesco di ritorno dalla terra santa e Federico II.

Nella parte nuova di Bari è possibile visitare il teatro comunale Piccinni progettato dall’architetto Niccolini ed inaugurato nel 1854, il teatro Margherita costruito agli inizi del 1900 come una palafitta sul mare in stile liberty, il teatro Petruzzelli inaugurato nel 1903, il palazzo dell’acquedotto pugliese del 1921, e il palazzo della Provincia che ospita una ricca Pinacoteca con opere dal medioevo all’epoca contemporanea.

Apulia is a peninsula surrounded by the sea and characterized by kilometers of coast which appears now very high and sheer to the sea now low and sandy. From the white indented Gargano cliffs to the golden beaches of the Salento with its beautiful crystal clear sea.

Castro Marina

Castro marina is well known for its crystal waters and its main attraction is surely represented by the sea caves which are situated in the northern area of the town. During the Hellenic domination (4th century B.C.) the zone was used as extractive cave; it is during the Middle Ages that it became a little rocky centre with its small port.

Gallipoli

Kalé polis, the beautiful city. This is the name the Greeks gave it. Gallipoli is sited along the west coast of the Salento peninsula; it overlooks the Ionian sea and appears divided into two different parts that is to say the suburb and the old town centre, which are bound together by a 17th – century stone bridge with seven spans.

Mattinata

The town of Mattinata stands on the central-southern side of the Gargano promontory. Sea and mountains characterize this territory, where it is possible to admire golden beaches, clean cliffs, hilly pastures, Aleppo pine, holms and oak woods. Here we find the most typical aspects characterizing the area of the Gargano National Park.

Monopoli

Situated on the sea and surrounded by old Messapic walls which date back to the 5th century B.C., Monopoli is one of the most important ports in the Adriatic sea and it is characterized by a very lively old town centre. With its suggestive and characteristic atmosphere, it dates back to Early Middle Ages; it was built on the ruins of an important Messapic town.

Otranto

It is the most eastern city of Italy, with extraordinary charm and ancient origins. The area of Otranto was probably already peopled during the Paleolithic age. Subsequently it was inhabitated by Messapi, Greeks and Normans. Thanks to its strategic geographical position, it was an important trading, politic and religious centre, especially during the Byzantine and Norman period, being a sort of bridge between East and West.

Peschici

Peschici was founded around the year one thousand, when Dalmatians and Schiavoni settled here to stem Saracen raids. It shows a characteristic old town centre, on a 90 metres high promontory falling sheer to the sea it is possible to admire the white single-storey houses and the dome-shaped roofs following the Arabian style.

Polignano

On the top of a cliff that falls sheer to the sea being 24 metres high in the highest point, stands the old town of Polignano, where the coast is characterized by erosive phenonema and inlets. It has Greek origins but some scholars assert that it was already peopled during the prehistoric age.

Porto Selvaggio

Porto Selvaggio belongs to the territory of Nardò and it has been declared protected area and Regional Natural Park in 1980. The protected area extends over 420 hectares, for the greatest part covered by woods. It is worth mentioning the presence of the wonderful Mediterranean maquis with alternate imposing falaises, sheer to the sea.

San Pietro In Bevagna

Santa Cesaria Terme

It is a famous thermal place developed in the 1920s but it was already known in antiquity thanks to the presence of sulphureous thermal waters. They gush out of four caves (Gattulla, Solfatara, Fetida, Sulfurea). According to the myth these sources are linked with the birth of four Leuterni giants, killed by Hercules with strokes of club

Santa Maria Di Leuca

Romans called it “De Finibus Terrae”. Santa Maria di Leuca is the farthest end of Salento, the “heel” of Italy, point of contact between the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea.On the top of the promontory, dominating the coast, stands the Basilica-Sanctuary of Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae, ancient place of pilgrimage.

Savelletri

It is a little maritime village with beautiful crystal clear waters, on the coast road between Monopoli and Fasano; it is well known thanks to its sandy beaches with alternate rocky areas. Savelletri is also famous for its marine: in its port it is possible to moor nearly 300 boats.

Torre Dell’Orso

On the coast road between San Cataldo and Otranto, the territory offers an extremely interesting natural panorama, with dunes and beaches alternate with high cliffs. The name Torre dell’Orso comes from the presence of a 16th – century sighting tower, today in ruins.

Isole Tremiti

It is an archipelago of uncontaminated nature, 22 km out to the coast of Gargano, which is formed by three main islands: San Nicola, San Domino and Capraia, to which we add the little island of Cretaccio and the farther Pianosa. These islands are also called Diomedee because the myth says that, after the Trojan war, the hero Diomede had been buried exactly here.

Vieste

The town of Vieste is the main centre of the Gargano; it is particularly famous for its beautiful waters. The old town centre is really charming: it is characterized by typical white houses and narrow alleys leading to little squares. The upper part of the town stands on the part of the promontory known as Punta San Francesco, marked by a fortified monastery and the Norman-Swabian castle.

Sanctuary of S. Maria Di Leuca

Sanctuary of Padre Pio

Sanctuary of San Michele

Sanctuary of San Cosimo

The Gargano, known as the “Montagna Sacra” (Holy Mountain) because of the ancient consecration to Saint Michael, the Archangel, is situated in the northern area of Apulia. A mountain marked by charm, where the time seems to have stopped. Ancient maritime centres alternate with indented coasts sheer to the sea and thick woods of firs, beeches and Turkey oaks. The Gargano is a real heritage of historical, natural and spiritual treasures. A land which shows the traces of its millenarian history, where you can enjoy natural beauties and historical and religious riches

Those who love nature should absolutely visit the Gargano National Park. Here you can ride a horse, take a walk or ride a bike along the paths of the Foresta Umbra. Following the coast you can appreciate the majesty of this promontory and the beauty of the wood which seems to dive into the Adriatic sea. The long coast is characterized by beautiful white cliffs sheer to the sea and wonderful beaches with their crystal clear waters. Now and then you can see nice maritime centres such as Vieste, Peschici, Rodi Garganico, where you can enjoy a sense of peace and quiet, away from everyday life. Moreover this wonderful territory is characterized by the sacredness of its places such as the ancient sanctuary of Saint Michael and the contemporary and well know shrine dedicated to Padre Pio from Pietralcina. Finally we cannot forget the uncontaminated beauty of the Tremiti islands.

The Foresta Umbra, green heart of the Gargano National Park, falls sheer to the Adriatic sea. It is characterized by an immense and thick nature with many varieties among which it is possible to admire the different species of shrubs: firs, beeches, Turkey oaks and yews. It is also worth mentioning the large variety of fauna. Moreover it is possible to enjoy great silence, wonderful colours and beauties of these places following determinate paths riding a horse, walking or riding a bike.

Along the coast road you can admire striking views. Mother Nature offers white indented cliffs and golden beaches with a crystal clear sea. It is worth mentioning the Baia delle Zagare, in the area of Mattinata, the Fariglione of Pizzomunno, next to Vieste, and the Architello of the cove of San Felice in the area of Vieste.

Moreover you can visit the ancient maritime centres on the Adriatic sea. Vieste, Peschici, Rodi Garganico are the most famous. Walking down the paths of these towns, among white houses, arches and steps, the time seems to have stopped. Numerous are the traces of an ancient and tormented past with its countless attacks and civilizations which followed one another: Romans, Byzantines, Longobards, Normans, Swabians. It is possible two admire the castle of Federico II in Vieste and the Norman Castle in Peschici which represent the symbols of a glorious past.

The Gargano is also known as the “Montagna Sacra” (Holy Mountain) because of the ancient consecration to Saint Michael, the Archangel. According to the legend, between the year 490 and the 493 A.D., in the town of Monte Sant’Angelo, the Archagel appeared to Saint Lorenzo Majorano, Bishop of Siponto. Later on a suggestive sanctuary was built, probably during the second half of the 6th century. Nowadays the Gargano has been again consecrated by the charismatic San Pio from Pietrelcina, universally known as Padre Pio. Numerous pilgrims visit the sixteenth century Capuchin Friary of San Giovanni Rotondo, where Padre Pio has lived for fifty years. In 2004 a new church has been built to properly accommodate thousands of pilgrims who every year come to honour the memory of Padre Pio from Pietrelcina.

• Puglia

  Barletta-Andria-Trani

  Andria

  76123

  0883

  407,86 Kmq

  100.130

  Piazza Umberto 1

Il castello denominato del monte, è famoso per la sua forma ottagonale su ogni angolo dei quali vi è una torre anch’essa ottagonale. Il maniero fu fatto costruire dall’imperatore Federico II di Svevia, tra il 1229 e il 1249, forse come residenza di caccia. Con la caduta della dinastia sveva il castello fu adibito a carcere e dal XVII secolo rimase incustodito lasciato all’incuria, fu depredato e spogliato di marmi e sculture, diventando dimora di pastori e briganti. Nel 1876 lo Stato Italiano lo ha riscattato e ha promosso un importante campagna di restauro. Il castello stilisticamente appartiene al primo periodo gotico dell’Italia meridionale, anche se è una fusione di elementi romanici e arabo-normanni. L’ ingresso del castello è posto sul lato orientale, ed è arricchito da un interessante portale che fonde l’elemento gotico dell’arco a sesto acuto con la classicità della cuspide del timpano. Su ogni lato si aprono una monofora nella parte inferiore e una bifora in quella superiore, tranne che, per il lato che guarda alla città di Andria dove è presente una trifora: un omaggio dell’imperatore alla città che gli è sempre restata fedele. Una cornice marcapiano corre lungo tutto il perimetro delle mura esterne ad indicare l’altezza dove, all’interno, si incontrano primo e secondo piano.

Le sale intere otto per piano si presentavano con le pareti rivestite di marmi antichi e i pavimenti rivesti a mosaico con formelle esagonali bianche e nere. Le otto torri ottagonali oltre ad assolvere la funzione difensiva era anche utilizzate per collegare il piano inferiore a quello superiore grazie alla presenza al loro interno di scale a chiocciola. Il cortile interno anch’esso ottagonale è abbellito con la presenza di tre porte-finestre che vi si affacciano dal primo piano ornate da colonne ed archivolto.

Molte sono state le ipotesi formulate sul vero motivo che spinse l’imperatore Federico II a costruire questa tipologia di castello nelle sue forme e dimensioni. Molti studiosi hanno rintracciato al suo interno corrispondenze con le simbologie esoteriche, alchemiche e astrologiche, che rispecchiavamo la complessa personalità di Federico uomo di cultura, amante delle arti, vicino all’Oriente, all’Islam e alle dottrine magiche. Evidente nella struttura del castello la ripetizione del numero otto simbolo dell’infinito e della rosa dei venti. Altri studiosi sostengono che tutte le misure del castello possano essere riferite ad avvenimenti astrali e si leghino al “numero aureo” presente anche nelle piramidi egizie.