These are the highlights of Puglia

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Originally a fishing village, Vieste has over the years transformed into a small town with its beach and constant winds attracting windsurfers, among others. Vieste is located in Gargano, a mountainous region in the north of Puglia. The medieval city center of Vieste is built on a rock that juts out towards the sea. Don’t miss: Gargano National Park, full of beech and pine trees, is not far from the interior of Vieste.

The town of San Giovanni Rotondo is known for its Christian character: Capuchin monk Padre Pio (1887-1968), who lived in a monastery here, is worshiped like a rock star. He became famous for developing Jesus-like stamps on his hands in 1918. At that time Rotondo became a place of pilgrimage. Padre Pio was finally declared holy in 2002 and the fuss increased. Therefore, a huge gilded church was built in its forecourt, with room for about 30,000 believers. Inside, it resembles a stadium with a capacity of up to 7,000 people. Worth seeing!

Emperor of Hohenstaufen II. Frederick (1194-1250) had Castel del Monte, the so-called crown of Apulia, built around 1240. The castle still remains a mystery, as it does not have a defense system. This was unusual: it served as a pure feast for the eyes, a place to rest, and a symbol of power for the emperor. Additionally, Castel del Monte has an unusual architecture: it was built with eight towers adjoining an octagonal courtyard. Visitors to the castle can wander through the many rooms and admire the octagonal structure.

Fly: Castel has served as a movie set several times. Among other things, for the movie “The American” (2010) with George Clooney (60).

Trani Cathedral is also known as the Queen of Cathedrals for its high arches and other Apulian Romanesque features. The bell tower overlooking the sea is the ideal place for an unforgettable sunset. The old trading city was once so powerful that it competed and quarreled with Venice for years. Today it is a popular tourist destination and is known for its buildings made of reddish natural stone called Trani. The port and traditional city center are particularly beautiful.

The town of Alberobello is known worldwide for one architectural feature: more than 1000 trulli houses with domed roofs. The village of dwarves, which at first glance looks like a fairy tale, is a true architectural masterpiece. Houses and roofs are made of completely mortarless stacked hearthstones. It is assumed that a house without a mortar is not taxable and can be dismantled quickly. By the way, the wealthiest residents could be recognized by the numerous domes.

Fly: Especially in the summer months, it can be crowded here, so it is useful to look from afar. From the Belvedere Trulli viewpoint, you have a wonderful view of the seemingly dwarf settlement.

From Otranto, many crusaders took the shortest route to the Holy Land: the strait known as the Strait of Otranto, and the town today with only about 5,000 inhabitants was once the bridge to the East. Otranto is located at the end of the Adriatic Sea and the beginning of the Ionian Sea. You can admire the imposing castle walls that surround the old town to this day. It turns into a meeting place for the entire region every Saturday evening.

Fly: If you want to walk along the coastal path from Porta Terra, you should arrive on a Sunday afternoon. The area then becomes a pedestrian zone and is ideal for walking.

Bari is not only the capital, but also one of the main historical commercial centers of Puglia. The picturesque old town (Bari Vecchia) is located on a promontory between its streets and two harbours. It is the city’s biggest attraction, and despite its popularity, it has retained its Italian comfort and authenticity. If you’ve seen enough of the city, you can reach the beautiful beach in a few minutes. Alternatively, you can watch the ships dock and leave with a cup of coffee in the port.

Fly: Anyone traveling in Bari should not miss Apulia’s pasta specialty: orecchiette. They taste best when handcrafted in one of the traditional bars in the old town.

The port city of Brindisi once marked the end of the ancient Roman road Via Appia, today it is surprisingly quiet and comfortable. Especially along the palm-fringed Corso Garibaldi, which connects the port with the train station and the promenade (Lungomare). Other attractions include the Tempio di San Giovanni al Sepolcro (12th century church) and the Brindisi State Archaeological Museum with a treasure trove of bronze sculptures.

Fly: The town of Matera, in the neighboring district of Basilicata, is known for its cave houses (Sassi), which among other things have served as filming locations for many movies. Natural tubes in sandstone ventilated apartment buildings, some of which were inhabited until the 1950s.

Source : Blick

Malan

I am Dawid Malan, a news reporter for 24 Instant News. I specialize in celebrity and entertainment news, writing stories that capture the attention of readers from all walks of life. My work has been featured in some of the world’s leading publications and I am passionate about delivering quality content to my readers.