Region of Apulia Italy on the map. Guides in Puglia. Holidays in Puglia

Puglia is the easternmost region of Italy, bordered by the Adriatic and Ionian seas, and has the longest coastline on the Italian coast. Simply put, Puglia is the Italian heel.

How to get there

Bari Airport has direct flights from many international airlines from the UK, Belgium, Germany, as well as from Italian cities including Rome and Milan. Charters are often launched from Russia to Bari during the season.

Brindisi International Airport has flights from Switzerland, the UK and some Italian cities.

Search for flights to Bari (the closest airport to Puglia)

By train

Puglia can also be reached by train (Trenitalia) from Rome. From the main railway From Bari station, trains depart to Milan (travel time 7.5 hours, fare 79-120 EUR) and Rome (travel time about 4 hours, fare 45-70 EUR).

Prices on the page are for April 2019.

On a ferryboat

Bari (Porto di Bari) and Brindisi (Porto di Brindisi) have regular water connections with Greece - the islands of Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Patras and the city of Igoumenitsa.

Transport

Ferrovie del Sud Est provides public transport services in the region (buses and trains). The cost of tickets for both bus and train will vary from 2-3 to 16-20 EUR, depending on the route. Weekly, monthly or annual passes are also sold.

Weather in Puglia

The climate is Mediterranean, the average temperature in winter ranges from 6 °C to 16 °C, in summer - from 28 °C to 33 °C.

Views of Alberobello

Shopping

The antique market in Gallipoli opens every first Sunday of the month. The craft markets in Grumo Appula and Alberobello can be visited in August. In May, the flower market in Lecce runs for 10 days. Here in Lecce, on every last Sunday of the month, a flea market opens in Piazza Libertini.

In Brindisi, you can visit the large monthly market in Piazza Teresa, where antiques and unique items are sold at low prices. One of the best markets is located in Acquarica del Capo, where in May you can buy various handicrafts made from bamboo, straw and other materials.

In September, during the Madonna del Ponte festival, a large market opens where you can buy souvenirs and locally produced products.

Kitchen

In the cuisine of Puglia, there are three dominant elements in the preparation of traditional dishes - olive oil, considered one of the best in the world; vegetables and durum wheat.

Pasta dishes are an important part of every local table. The most unique pasta in Puglia is orecchiette, traditionally made with turnips. Also popular is the vegetable dish tiella (translated as terracotta pot) with rice, potatoes and mussels.

Orecchiette is a typical homemade pasta from the Apulia region. The name of the pasta translated from Italian means “small ear” - these pasta really look like ears in shape.

The landscape of Ostuni is stunning, where silver olives, topped with a green crown, grow on the red soil, and the city itself stretches under the feet of fascinated sighing tourists. The heart of ancient Ostuni is a labyrinth of twisting corridors and staircases.

Puglia produces unsurpassed olive oil, as it is in this region that some of the oldest olive groves are located. Fish is especially loved here: the most delicious dish is Ciambotto seafood sauté, cooked with tomatoes, onions and peppers, and mussels from Taranto are considered the best in Italy.

You should definitely try the lamb baked in a clay pot with potatoes and wild onions. In Puglia, the ancient tradition of cheese making is carefully preserved, and juicy mozzarella and burata from Andria have no equal in Italy.

Mediterranean desserts, often based on dried fruits, honey and syrup, will satisfy even the most discerning palate. The most popular wines are red Primitivo di Manduria and Salice Salentino, white Martina Franca and Locorotondo. The Taralli appetizer is considered very tasty.

Hotels

Tourists will not have problems with accommodation in Puglia. It is only worth booking hotels in Bari in advance during major religious holidays (for example, St. Nicholas Day in early May): this city is very popular among pilgrims, and deservedly so, I must say.

Beaches and resorts of Puglia

The historical region and subregion of Italy Gargano attracts tourists with its sunny resorts, in particular, for example, the town of Vieste. It is distinguished by the beauty of its coastline, formed by numerous grottoes and arches carved by water into the limestone rocks.

The resort of Marina di Andrano, located in the province of Lecce, is considered a popular tourist destination due to its picturesque landscapes with rocky coves. The two main beaches are Zona Botte and Zona Grotta Verde, the second boasting one of the most beautiful karst caves of the entire coast located here.

The Adriatic coast in the area of ​​​​Castrignano del Capo (province of Lecce) is characterized by wild rocky terrain and magnificent views of the sea. The Adriatic and Ionian seas meet at Cape Santa Maria di Leuca. On the cape there are beautiful grottoes that were previously refuges for Byzantine monks.

In Puglia, the ancient tradition of cheese making is carefully preserved, and juicy mozzarella and burata from Andria have no equal in all of Italy.

The resort town of Galliano del Capo (still in the province of Lecce) is located at an altitude of 147 meters above sea level. The coast is characterized by rocky shores and numerous grottoes. Gallipoli (province of Foggia) is famous for its clear sea and white beaches, and also hosts international sailing competitions. Lido San Giovanni beach, located 2 km south of the city, is ideal for families with children.

The resort of Margherita di Savoia (province of Barletta-Andria-Trani) is located in the southernmost part of the Adriatic coast and boasts magnificent natural beauty and thermal baths. The coast of Monopoli (in the province of Bari) stretches for 13 km and consists of 25 beaches.

The sea around Ostuni (province of Brindisi), combined with its beautiful beaches, is considered one of the most beautiful in all of Puglia. And the coastline of Polignano a Mare has a large number of grottoes, and above the shore there are amazing panoramic terraces.

The coastline of Porto Cesareo (province of Lecce) is characterized by a rocky coast, panoramic terraces overgrown with dense bushes, dunes, bays, and spurs. There are 53 underwater karst caves, which are home to a large colony of red corals and sponges. The most interesting places for diving are the areas near the coast of Neretina.

The resort of Santa Cesaria Terme has been known since ancient times for its sulfur waters.

Views of Lecce

Guides in Puglia

Entertainment and attractions of Puglia

Trulli from Alberobello - traditional houses built using dry masonry with a conical roof - are perhaps one of the favorite attractions among tourists in Puglia. In 1996 they were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The old town in Bari is a beautiful old quarter with many churches. Romanesque Basilica of St. Nicholas; Church of St. George; Gothic Cathedral of St. Sabino; Fort St. Anthony, now a museum of modern art, is a must-see not only for the entire region, but also for the south of Italy.

Matera (although located in the neighboring region of Basilicata, it is often visited from Puglia) is certainly the most unusual city in Italy. Thanks to the rock settlement of Sassi di Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important attractions of Southern Italy, preserved on its territory, Matera has gained international fame.

5 things to do in Puglia

1. Venerate the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, who have rested in the basilica in Bari for almost a thousand years.
2. Stay at least one night at the Trulli Holiday Hotel (as the name clearly indicates, the main attraction of which is that the hotel is located in a trulli house). For what? To feel like a gnome or an elf, of course!
3. Stop by the town of Barletto and enjoy the perfectly preserved Romanesque nave of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore.
4. Take a chance and go on a 3 km journey through the intricate karst caves of Castellana.
5. Take your children on a zoo safari in Fasano, where for 24 EUR you can show them tigers, rhinoceroses, baboons, bears, and even prehistoric monsters (alas, not real).

Also worthy of interest is the picturesque system of karst caves Castellana, located in the town of Castellana Grotte (province of Bari). The caves were discovered in 1938, their length is about 3000 m, and the natural entrance is a 60-meter vertical shaft. This is one of the most visited natural attractions in Southern Italy.

Castel del Monte, located 16 km from the city of Andria (province of Bari), is an outstanding building from the time of Emperor Frederick II and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in 1240-1250. The castle is a two-story building with a flat roof in the form of a regular octagon, at the corners of which octagonal towers are built.

In the ancient Roman town of Conversano you can visit the medieval castle of the counts, the Romanesque cathedral, the Benedictine monastery, the Franciscan church and the castle of Marcione. The ancient city of Martina Franca, surrounded by fortified walls, invites you to explore the Ducal Palace (Palazzo Ducale), built in 1290-1708. as the residence of the Dukes of Gonzaga (an ancient Italian princely family). Nowadays it is a museum. Many famous Italian artists lived and worked in the palace: Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, Andrea Mantegna, Giulio Romano, Pisanello, Leon Batista Alberti.

The landscape of the town of Ostuni is stunning, where silver olive trees crowned with green crowns grow on the red soil, and the city itself stretches under the feet of spellbound sighing tourists. The heart of the ancient city is a labyrinth of twisting corridors and stairs.

Events

The city of Martina Franca hosts the annual summer opera festival (Festival della Valle d'Itria) in the Pallazo Ducale. From May 6 to 8, a grand celebration takes place in Bari in honor of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of the city. Historical re-enactments are staged, shows are held and fireworks are displayed. These days, a huge number of pilgrims from all over the world flock to the city.

The region of Apulia is located on the southeastern coast of the Apennine Peninsula, occupying the heel of the Italian “boot”. This traditionally agricultural region is also one of the most interesting tourist destinations in Italy. The world-famous trulli city of Alberobello and the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Bari, cozy seaside towns and sunny beaches, huge amusement parks and thermal springs, olive groves, wineries, castles, caves - all this will give travelers a lot of new discoveries and impressions.

Business card

Apulia has the longest coastline in Italy, washed by two seas - the Adriatic and Ionian.

What to see, where to visit

In the capital of the region, the city of Bari, where acquaintance with Italian Puglia most often begins, there is the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, where the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker are kept. Also noteworthy are the Gothic Cathedral of St. Sabino, the Church of St. George, the Pinacoteca located in the building of the Provinciale Palace, and Fort St. Anthony, within the walls of which a museum of modern art is opened.

No less famous is the town of Alberobello, where you can see trulli - small whitewashed houses with conical roofs. The main city temple, the Church of St. Anthony, was built in the same style.

In general, interesting sights can be found in every corner of Puglia. In Andria there are numerous churches, the Candy Museum and the famous “castle on the mountain” Castel del Monte; in Barletta - a white stone castle and a huge bronze colossus erected in honor of the Roman emperor; in Brindisi - Grande Castle and Forte Mare Fortress; in Ostuni - an amazingly beautiful historical center with intricate streets and snow-white houses; in Martino Franca (20 km from Ostuni) - the Ducale Palace, where Leonador da Vinci, Donatello and other Italian geniuses once lived; in Lecce - richly decorated baroque palaces, churches and mansions; in Gallipoli there are impressive architectural monuments of different eras and styles.

In addition, there are several natural parks in the region (Gargano, Pollino, Gallipoli Cognato, Alta Murgia, etc.), and 40 km south of Bari, in the town of Castellana Grotte, there is a unique complex of karst caves, through which a 3-kilometer excursion route.

Beaches

The coast of Puglia in Italy, stretching along the Adriatic Sea, is a long series of picturesque beaches, mostly sandy.

There are excellent beaches in the north of the region - on the rocky shores of the Gargano National Park (resorts of Matinatta, Vieste, Rodi) and on the Tremiti Islands. Towards Bari and further south there are a number of large seaside resorts (Barletta, Trani, Molfetta, Monopoli, Torre Canne, etc.) with well-equipped beaches stretching for tens of kilometers.

In southern Apulia, the most popular beaches are Brindisi, Ostuni, Marino di Odriano, Otranto, Galliano del Cape, Porto Cesareo, Gallipoli, etc. This part of the coast is characterized by expressive landscapes - grottoes, rocky bays and natural panoramic terraces.

Springs and healing

A holiday in Puglia can be combined with treatment at one of the local thermal resorts. The most famous are the Baths of Torre Canne (province of Brindisi), rich in healing mud, which are widely used for respiratory diseases, rheumatic and orthopedic problems; Margherita di Savoia (province of Barletta-Andria-Trani), famous for its salt lakes; Santa Cesaria Terme (province of Lecce) with hot sulfur springs that help in the treatment of rheumatism and dermatological diseases.

Entertainment and active recreation

Vacationers spend most of their time on the beaches - sunbathing, swimming, doing water sports and beach games. You can go for a walk through the vineyards and olive groves (on foot or by bike), go to a nature or entertainment park, or attend a cultural event: each town has its own traditional holidays. No less enjoyable are trips to shops, outlets and markets: antique markets in Gallipoli and Brindisi, craft markets in Alberobello, flower markets in Lecce. In the evenings, tourists will find restaurants, bars, nightclubs and discos. The larger the city or resort, the higher their concentration.

Local cuisine and wines

The local cuisine is based on natural products grown (or mined) here in Puglia. The most famous delicacies are Tarantino oysters and mussels, octopus dishes, fish baked in salt, mozzarella and burrata made from the most delicate cream, lamb cooked in pots, orecchiette pasta with turnips, Apulian cauliflower, etc. Mandatory component - Apulian olive oil, considered the best in Italy.

In addition, it is worth trying original desserts made from fruit and honey, as well as locally produced wines - for example, red Salice Salentino or white Locorotondo.

Family holiday

Puglia has several fun parks for the whole family. Thus, in Italy’s largest safari park Zoosafari (Fasano, 60 km from Bari) you can see dozens of species of wild animals, attend a dolphin show or ride a mini-train through a monkey village. The Miragica amusement park (Molfetta, 24 km from Bari) has an amazing “Land of Giants”, rides and a 4D cinema. Indiana Park (50 km from Bari) offers exciting adventures for all ages and skill levels. 20 km from Brindisi (the village of Cellino San Marco) there is a huge Carrisiland water park, and not far from Lecce there is the Splash water park.

And it is washed by the waters of the Adriatic and Ionian seas. It also has the longest coastline of any continental region of the country. Flat landscapes predominate here, and the Fortore and Brandano rivers act as land borders. The highest mountain peaks are Monty Downey and Calvet, whose height exceeds 1000 meters above sea level.

Peculiarities

According to its geographical structure, the region is divided into 6 provinces and several historical regions. Each province has its own capital and a number of cities. Oil refining, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, as well as the clothing, textile and rubber industries are well developed in Apulia. Particular attention is paid to winemaking, which has long occupied a leading position in the state in this area. Tourism also brings significant income to the regional treasury. Local cities with a rich historical heritage are of regular interest to travel enthusiasts. In the province of Taranto there is the second most important naval port in Italy, which confirms the serious status of the region as one of the important centers of the defense complex. There are many excellent beach resorts in Puglia, characterized by a well-established tourist infrastructure and convenient transport links.

general information

The region's territory covers an area of ​​just over 19,300 square meters. km, with a population of about 4,000,000 people. The number of communes is 258. Local time lags behind Moscow by 1 hour in summer and 2 in winter. Time zone UTC +1 and UTC +2 in summer. Official website www.regione.puglia.it.

A brief excursion into history

Initially, the lands of Apulia were inhabited by the Messapians, Davni, Trojans and Greeks. With the advent of our era, the Romans came here, who subsequently laid the Appian and Trajan roads here. During the Second Punic War, the region went over to the side of Hannibal, who defeated the Romans shortly before, at the Battle of Cannae. After some time, during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, Apulia was transformed into a province. In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the cultural and educational level in the region increased sharply, and many unique architectural structures appeared. Since then, the area has been considered one of the most developed and progressive in Italy, continuing to grow in different directions.

Climate

Apulia has a pronounced Mediterranean climate. The average air temperature in the winter months is +6 - +8 degrees, and in the summer it regularly exceeds +30. Precipitation primarily occurs from November to March, while April to October is generally dry and very warm. On the coast, the swimming season begins in May and ends in October.

How to get there

The main international airport in the region is in Bari. It receives flights from many countries of the world, including Russia and the CIS. Another major international airport is located in Brindisi, but it mainly serves flights from the UK and Switzerland.

Transport

All regional districts and provincial capitals are connected by bus and train services. From Bari and Brindisi it is possible to take ferries to the Greek islands. In cities, the most common forms of transport are buses and minibuses. Even in the smallest settlements you can rent a car or bicycle, not to mention taxi services.

Main cities

The capital of Apulia is a port city with a long history, which was largely influenced by the reign of first the ancient Greeks and then the Romans. About 96% of local residents are Italian, while the average age is quite young - only 42 years. The city has the status of the most important economic and cultural center of the region, where there is a whole scattering of architectural monuments belonging to the historical heritage of Italy. Besides Bari, the largest cities in the region are Avetrana, nicknamed none other than the “Florence of Apulia” due to the abundance of monuments made in the Baroque style, founded in the era of the Spartans, and which has the area of ​​a large metropolis and occupies an area of ​​more than 500 square meters. km. All these cities have their own attractive features and are of considerable interest to tourists.

Major resorts

The most popular beach resort in Puglia is Marina di Andrano, in the province of Lecce. Here, vacationers will see incredibly beautiful landscapes with majestic rocks and quiet bays, the water of which has a pronounced turquoise hue. Particularly famous here are the beaches of Zona Botte and Zona Grotta Verde, famous for their picturesque caves. In the place where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet, in the same place, in the province of Lecce, there is the resort of Castrignano del Capo, in the mysterious grottoes of which Byzantine monks once hid from persecution. Another colorful holiday destination is Galliano del Capo, not far from Castrignano del Capo. Porto Cesareo looks no less striking, famous for its karst caves and excellent diving conditions. The town of Gallipoli, in the province of Foggia, is recommended for family holidays. In addition, international sailing competitions are regularly held here. In the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, the resort of Margherita di Savoia stands out, with its ethereal landscapes and healing thermal springs. Of course, among connoisseurs of bright sun and clear sea waters, the coast of Monopoly is popular, as is the coastline of Polignano a Mare, which belongs to the province of Bari. In Brindisi, the most attractive resort is Ostuni, with wide beaches and beautiful natural landscapes. Those wishing to experience the healing properties of thermal waters are recommended to Santa Cesaria Terme, which has long been famous for its sulfur springs. The beaches in the region have both sand and pebble surfaces, so before traveling to a particular resort, this information should be clarified separately.

Attractions and entertainment

In addition to such large cities as and Brindisi, where the main historical and cultural monuments of the past are located, Apulia has other interesting places. Among them are the unique ancient town of Alberobello, famous for its quaint houses with cone-shaped roofs, called “trulli”, the system of karst caves in Castellana Grotte, the medieval castle of Castel del Monte, 16 km from Andria, the ancient city of Martina Franca, surrounded by serfs walls and the fabulous village of Ostuni, with red earth and silver olive trees. These attractions are just a small part of the rich variety of beauties and wonders that fill the Apulia region. Among the most significant holidays celebrated on its territory, the annual summer opera festival held in Martina Franca and the grandiose events in honor of St. Nicholas Day in the city of Bari, held there in early May, stand out.

Kitchen

The main culinary components of dishes in the region are considered to be olive oil, vegetables and durum wheat. Among the most famous culinary creations are the Orecchiette pasta, the Tiella terracotta pot seasoned with rice, potatoes and mussels, and the seafood sauté called Ciambotto. Among the red wines, Primitivo di Manduria and Salice Salentino are popular. Of the whites, the most reputable are “Martina Franca” and “Locorotondo”. As in any part of the country, special attention is paid here to ice cream and other various desserts.

Shopping

The best cities for shopping in Puglia are the shops of Bari, the craft markets of Alberobello, which open in August, the antique market in Gallipoli, open every first Sunday of the month, and the large monthly market in Brindisi, where you can buy completely unique items at low prices. The same applies to Madonna del Ponte, where the market opens in September, when a major festival takes place in the city. Almost every locality in the region has souvenir shops and shops with high-quality goods, so shopping lovers usually do not leave here disappointed.

Puglia is one of the most colorful tourist destinations in. It is unlikely that it can compete in popularity with the northern part of the country or Sicily, but, nevertheless, this region can also offer its guests a lot of entertainment for every taste, including excellent wide beaches, beautiful natural landscapes and a whole scattering of historical places of great interest for true travel lovers.

Apulia is located in the south of Italy, occupying the “heel of the Apennine boot”, and is the easternmost region. It stretches along the sea, forming picturesque coasts, which are considered one of the most beautiful and clean in Italy.
Apulia has preserved ancient monuments, medieval heritage and sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The southern region boasts ancient traditions and numerous legends.

The capital of Apulia is Bari, which is divided into a modern and an old part. First of all, the city is famous for the Basilica of St. Nicholas, which houses the relics of the revered miracle worker.

A Brief History of Apulia

Territory of Apulia

When to go to Puglia

How to get to Puglia

Get inspired by Puglia

What to visit in Puglia

The capital of Apulia is Bari. The city's cathedral houses a relic revered in the Orthodox world - the relics of St. Nicholas the Pleasant.

Lecce
In the southern part of Puglia lies the Salento peninsula, which is an ideal destination for a seaside holiday with a long strip of sandy beaches. The city of Lecce, located here, is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Apulia and is a striking example of Apulian Baroque.

Gallipoli is a beautiful coastal town famous for its giant shrimp.

The symbol of Apulia is the trulli - white stone dwellings built without cement. Alberello is the most famous place to see trulli.

Castel del Monte is considered one of the most mysterious and enigmatic castles in Italy.

Grottoes di Castellana
Impressive grottos di Castellana with an enchanting white cave.

Trani is located in the northern part of Puglia on the Adriatic coast. The most beautiful part of the city is the square with the Cathedral, looking out to the sea.

Ostuni is called the white city.

Nardo"
Nardo is a city of Apulian Baroque.

Salento is the birthplace of the most famous and award-winning Apulian wine, Primitivo di Manduria, the production center of which is located in the village of Manduria.

Otranto is located in the south of Puglia on the Adriatic coast and is the easternmost point of Italy. The historic center of Otranto is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Taranto was founded by the Greeks, and it's worth going down into one of the many dungeons to see the impressive castle.

A picturesque medieval town that is best visited during a festival or fair.

A cute little town painted white.

The Cathedral of Otranto was built on the site of an early Christian church in an ancient Roman village. Such a concentration of various cultural and religious traditions could not fail to leave a mark on further buildings of the city.

The harmonious combination of various architectural styles of the cathedral, the unique mosaic floor made of multi-colored smalt, richly decorated wooden ceilings bear the features of both Byzantine and early Christian, Romanesque styles. The main nave of the cathedral is framed by granite columns topped with capitals. Through flights of stairs you can get to the crypt, inside of which there are also numerous columns made of different types of marble.

Restaurant Grotta Palazzese

In the small old town of Polignano, the sea has created numerous grottoes in the limestone cliffs directly below the houses. In the largest of these grottoes, back in 1700, the Duke de Leto held lavish receptions for his guests. Today this grotto houses the wonderful Grotta Palazzese restaurant.

The decorators preserved the ceiling and walls of the cave in their original form, creating an atmosphere of adventure and sea romance. From the terrace of the restaurant, located at an altitude of twenty-five meters, a magical view of the blue waves of the Adriatic Sea opens. The restaurant offers its guests classic Mediterranean cuisine with a noticeable emphasis on seafood. Try Thai squid or grilled shrimp.

The restaurant belongs to the hotel of the same name, located on the cliff above the restaurant.

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Castellana Grottoes

The Castellana Grottoes are the most famous speleological complex in Italy. The entrance to the first cave, 60 meters deep, popularly called “The Abyss” (in Italian “la grava”), is a hole in the ground.

In ancient times, the local population believed that the gates of hell were located here. But in fact, these fears were easy to explain. Sometimes lost animals fell into the abyss from a cliff and died at the bottom. Naturally, a sharp unpleasant smell appeared, spreading everywhere and being noticeable even at the entrance to the cave. The peasants saw a mystical meaning in this, being sure that they felt the stench of the devil.

The caves were first explored by speleologist Franco Anelli, who descended here in 1938. He discovered huge stalagmites at the bottom of the cave. They were called "cyclops" because of their bizarre shape. Next, an entrance opened into a long underground corridor, in which grottoes of incredible beauty were discovered. Stalactites and stagmites grow everywhere in the grottoes, forming a luxurious landscape with bizarre natural sculptures made of crystals.

Nature has been working on these magnificent caves for about 35 million years. Now the beginning of the cave is flooded by the Negro River, along which you can float and view its surroundings. Waterfalls, meeting light and shadow, enchant and fascinate. The atmosphere is truly mysterious and even mystical: groups of stalactites and stalagmites accumulate into figures, which are even given names. It is difficult to imagine how much time and effort nature needs to create such miracles.

Del Angelo di Pertosa has not been destroyed by a single earthquake, which means that the tunnels are much safer than the streets, and our ancestors knew this. Even the ancient Greeks and Romans performed their rituals and sacred actions underground. Documents say that the caves were used as a dwelling and as a church (in the 12th century).

The Caves del Angelo di Pertosa in Puglia are a unique natural and archaeological site that annually attracts thousands of tourists.

Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary in Loreto

The Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary, or Holy House, is one of the greatest Catholic shrines, located in the Italian region of Marche.

According to legend, in the 3rd century, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine I, Helen, traveling around Nazareth, found the house in which the Virgin Mary was raised and where the Annunciation took place. This is a small building, only 850 cm long, 380 cm wide and 410 cm high. She ordered a church to be built over this house.

However, in the 13th century, during the battles of the Crusaders and Saracens, the church was destroyed, and the fate of the Holy House began to raise concerns. Legend says that the angels took the house and moved it to Dalmatia. And then, no less mysteriously, he ended up in Loreto. There, a basilica was erected around it, and the Holy House became one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Catholic Europe. Rene Descartes and Benedict XIV came to him as pilgrims.

Today, the ensemble, which includes the Holy House and the Basilica, are not only religious shrines, but also valuable architectural monuments.

Bari embankment" new city

The new city was built in the 30s of the 20th century, its embankment built in the style of constructivism, reminiscent of the works of Corbusier and Soviet architects of the 30s.

Basilica del Santo Sepolcro

Next to the Colossus of Barletta is the 12th-century Romanesque Basilica of San Sepolcro, with distinct features of oriental architecture. Moreover, its facade is made in the Baroque style.

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The ancient town of Bisceglie

Bisceglie is one of the small towns in a series of similar ones on the Adriatic coast. It was founded around the 11th century and, like other port towns, was one of the trading centers of the Middle Ages. Ancient sights that have survived to this day are silent witnesses to Bisceglie's active past.

The church of St. Margaret of the 12th century, Norman castle, Abbey of St. Adonius of the 11th century, St. Peter in the Romanesque style of the 11th-13th centuries, which was recently restored. All buildings have undergone many changes over the centuries, but nevertheless retained their original features. The coast, made up of limestone, is eroded by grottoes and caves, which can also be explored.

Of particular interest are the dolmens preserved from ancient times, which confirm the existence of settlements here in the most ancient times. The most famous of them is the Kianka dolmen, which dates back to the 14-16 centuries BC.

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