Apulia: snow-white sandy beaches, lapis-lazuli water, art cities and culture…
Apulia is the heel to Italy’s boot, the easternmost region of the country. It has an ancient history, dating back to prehistoric times. It was and is the gate to the East, and the legend says that Aeneas, Italy’s mythological founder, landed on these shores.
Apulia is also the Italian region with the largest coastal development (800 km of coastline). Its amazing beaches are lapped by unbelievable lapis-lazuli waters. On the land secular olive trees alternate with Medieval masterpieces and baroque art cities. And the weather is perfect: sunny and airy.
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Climate
Apulia has a typically Mediterranean climate. In July, average temperatures are between 16°C and 30°C. In January between 5°C and 13°C. The costal areas have warm, ventilated and dry summers, and mild winters. Rainfall is scarse.
Geography
Apulia is developed between the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, and it forms the heel to Italy’s boot. Along the coast alternate rocky and sandy beaches. The interior of the region is mostly flat and hilly –Apulia is the less mountainous region of Italy. There are two groups of islands off the coast: Tremiti archipelago, north-east of the Gargano, and the Little Cheradi Islands, off the coast of Taranto.
Arriving Here
International Airport of Bari “Karol Wojtyła”
International Airport of Salento
Events
La Notte della Taranta (The Night of the Tarantula). Tarantella is the traditional music of Apulia, associated with wild dances, that in ancient times were aimed at treating the bite of tarantula. In August, in Salento area, a traditional music festival takes place, as a tour in the main towns. It ends in the town of Melpignano, where music lasts until dawn.
La Fòcara a Novoli (The Bonfire in Novoli). The traditional bonfire on the feast of St. Anthony is a monument of Agricultural Engineering. Tens of thousands of bundles of vine branches form a huge pile, with a diameter and height of 20 meters. The 16 of January it is ignited, while fireworks, competitions and art exhibitions take place. National Geographic has done a documentary on this fascinating tradition.
Procession of the horse in Brindisi. The day of Corpus Christi, the archbishop, riding a white horse, go across the streets toward the Cathedral, blessing the city of Taranto, while the crowd throws flowers.
Sword Dance in Torrepaduli. The night of San Rocco is a very important night in Salento. The entire area is celebrating the Saint. In the town of Torrepaduli, the night of 15 of August, pairs of men mimic a duel, stirred up by the drums.
History and Culture
The human settlement in Apulia dates back at least to 250,000 years ago. Among the many prehistoric finds, there are menhir and dolmen. In the Hellenic era many Greek colonies settled in the area, particularly the southern part (the Salento). Greek culture is deeply rooted in Apulia, even in the language: there is a dialect, called Griko, wich comes from the ancient Greek.
Romans soon understood the strategic importance of this land. They occupied it in III century BC, with great difficulty. In 216 BC the Roman army suffered its worst defeat, against the Carthaginians of Hannibal. When they finally took the region, they built the Appia and Traiana streets, connection Puglia to the heart of Rome. A new era began for the area, which became the first producer of olive oil and wheat. The main market was the Orient.
At the fall of the Roman Empire, Apulia went through a period of depression. Many populations invaded the region, which finally came under the rule of the Byzantine Empire. After the Byzantines, it was the time of the Normans and Swabians. Apulia recovered its splendor; the peak was reached with Federico II, who realized a series of secular and religious buildings of great artistic value.
Between 1200 and 1400, Apulia became part of the Kingdom of Naples and of Spain. In this period the power of the landowners in the area began to take root.
In 1734, with the Battle of Bitonto, Apulia passed to the Bourbons, in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Between 1806 and 1815, the French conquered the area, modernizing it due to the abolition of feudalism. The region has enjoyed a strong agricultural development, also thanks to the land reform following World War II.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- The Trulli of Alberobello
- Castel del Monte, Andria
Food
Apulia is Italy’s top olive oil producer, and olive trees cover this land since the Romans. This excellent oil can be tasted with the typical bred from Altamura. Or it can be used to cook fresh ingredients, from both land and sea. In spring and summer, preference is given to vegetables and fish, while in other seasons to legumes, homemade pasta, dressed with vegetable and fish sauces.
The most typical dish is orecchiette (ear-shaped pasta) with ragout –a less known version is with turnip greens. Other traditional ingredients are mussels, octopus and sea urchins. They are often used to cook a delicious risotto (rice) with seafood. The oranges and lemons from Gargano, and the clementines from Taranto are not to miss. Among the cheeses, the traditional one is caciocavallo.
Points of Interest
Trulli of Alberobello. “Trulli” are traditional rural houses unique to Apulia. These round shaped dwellings with conical roofs are built in limestone and are often white-colored; the “trulli” of Alberobello are listed among UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as “an exceptional example of a form of building construction deriving from prehistoric construction techniques that have survived intact and functioning into the modern world”.
Castel del Monte. This magnificent XIII century castle, built by the Emperor Frederick II near Bari, is part of UNESCO World Heritage sites. , thanks to “its formal perfection and its harmonious blending of cultural elements from northern Europe, the Muslim world, and classical antiquity. Castel del Monte is a unique masterpiece of medieval military architecture, reflecting the humanism of its founder, Frederick II of Hohenstaufen”.
Lecce, Otranto and Salento. The southern part of Apulia is possibly the most fascinating. Salento countryside is an olive-growing area dotted by “masserie”, traditional fortified farmhouses, and lapped by lapis-lazuli water. Here are the beast Italian beaches ever. Art cities, such as Lecce and Otranto, enrich this area, while “tarantella”, the traditional wild music unique to Salento, vibrates in the air. Definitely a place to be. More info.
Gargano and Vieste. Gargano is an area of great naturalistic value; it features cliffs offering breathtaking views on the sea, and charming towns, such as Vieste. It is an ideal place for a drive.
Altamura. This town is called the “Apulia Lioness”. It has a valiant history, dating back to prehistoric times. Today Altamura is enriched by narrow streets and typical “claustri”: tiny and charming squares. Among the places to visit: the splendid Cathedral (1232 AD), the historic churches dotting the town, the traditional fortified farmhouses, called “masserie”. Among the archeological sites: the cave of the dinosaurs and the skeleton of the Man of Altamura (about 200.000 years ago). Altamura is also well known for its typical bread, called “pane di Altamura”.
Trani. A charming town, rich in art and culture, lapped by transparent sea. It features an outstanding Romanesque Cathedral on the seashore, the Monastery of Santa Maria di Colonna, a magnificent castle and plenty of historic palazzi.
Ostuni. This fairy tail town, built in lime, is called the “White Town”. The historic center is a labyrinth of narrow streets with a unique atmosphere. Among the places to visit, several historic palazzi and buildings, such as the Gothic Concattedrale and the Church of San Vito Lo Martire. The area is also dotted by fortified “masserie”.