Apulia - Culture

The Apulia region is located at the bottom tip of the peninsula of Italy. It features wonderful coastlines, on both the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea. This region is well known for its coasts and its rural, uncontaminated countryside. Here you will also find gorgeous cities, such as Brindisi, which is often called “the East Door” for its ancient and artistic heritage. Another attractive feature of this region are the little towns with whitewashed dome roofed houses, such as those found in the town of Alberobello.

The main city in this region is called Brindisi. Brindisi is a very old town which once had the areas only theatre to host its many historical events. Its location and favourable climate have made this territory an ideal place for settlements dating back to antiquity. There are many important archeological finds in the city of Brindisi. The town features an interesting archeological museum. Also nearby is the unusual archeological marvel called the Woman of Ostuni. This is an extraordinary burial site of a young woman who died in childbirth about 25 thousand years ago. Also in the city is the Roman Column that marked the end of the Apian Way.

Certainly this region is full of history , unique architecture and intrigueing culture Rock dwellings, such as cave houses, churches and workshops can be found scattered throughout the region. These ancient dwellings belong to the civil, religious and artistic heritage of the area. These odd dwellings date back to the 7th century, when monastic communities from the Byzantine east settled here. These odd structures caught on and soon became common in the civil population as well. Many of the nearby ancient villages were built in the shadow of a massive castle or in the thick of vibrant olive groves. The region has plenty of historical, artistic and architectural wonders, from the gorgeous buildings in the centre of the main cities to the rural landscapes.

The province of Bari enjoyed its 'golden age' during medieval times. In the province of Bari, there is a unique medieval manor house which stands on top of a hill. It is located in the Apulian Murgia, far above sea level. Here the Castel del Monte was built in 1200 by Frederick II of Swabia. He served as Roman Emperor and King of Sicily and Apulia. The structure was built to serve as a manor house and hunting lodge. Various architectural elements reminiscent of Classical, Renaissance, Romanesque, Gothic and Arabic cultures come together in this magnificent structure. Castel del Monte was named after the Benedictine church of Santa Maria del Monte which exists nearby. The castle, along with the town of Andria, was a part of the Royal State under the Swabians from 1240 to 1266. Later it was governed by the Angevins and the Aragonese. It was acquired by the Italian State in 1876.

The town of Lecce is a wonderful example of baroque architecture. The Cathedral here has two decorated façades and a very unusual bell tower, which sits at an angle. Sant'Oronzo square, also in Lecce, features baroque style blended with the remains of a Roman theatre which was discovered there in 1901. In the summer, there are many great performances at the open stage theatre. In nearby Salento, there are many fortified buildings and castles. Taranto is a modern city that still keeps its ancient heart and well worth a visit. If you plan to visit this region you might also want to see one of the many ancient farms, called Massonerie.

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