Castel del Monte

In Apulia there are many buildings of immense historical value, such as the Castel del Monte in Andria. It is a truly wonderful building, both because of its distinctive architecture and because of the mysterious stories and tales around the Knights Templar order. It is a fortress of the 13th century erected at the behest of Frederick II of Swabia. It is located on a small hill in the western Murge plateau. In 1996 Castel del Monte was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition, the manor is depicted on Italy's 1-cent euro coin.

The beaches of Salento

Geographically, the Salento peninsula is the "heel of Italy," as well as the easternmost area of our country. It is the bathing area with the greatest influx of tourists since there are the most incredible beaches in the region. Here you can find a very fine white sand and a turquoise sea with evocative shades. The most populated municipalities in the summer and beyond are mainly Otranto, Gallipoli and Porto Cesareo. Santa Maria di Leuca, a hamlet of the small town of Castrignano del Capo, is also very beautiful, as are the Maldives of Salento, a stretch of coastline in Marina di Pescoluse that provides a Caribbean beach scene.

Gargano

Popular with tourists is the Gargano region, or the "spur of Italy." The Gargano area overlooks the Adriatic Sea and consists of a mountainous promontory that extends into the northeastern part of the province of Foggia. Also included in this area is the Gargano National Park. One of the most popular destinations is undoubtedly Vieste, the Pearl of the Gargano, but also very charming are nearby Mattinata and Peschici. The Gargano, however, is not only sea and sun, as there are many medieval villages such as the splendid San Giovanni Rotondo, now a place of worship for the many followers of Padre Pio.

Monopoly

Monopoli is a seaside town in the province of Bari that every year attracts many travelers struck by the beauty of Puglia. In its historic center there are as many as 9 churches from the medieval period, many of them built on the remains of an ancient Messapic nucleus dating back to the 5th century BC. Examples of military and civil architecture include the Castle of Santo Stefano, the Castle of Charles V, the Civic Tower, Palazzo Palmieri and the Jesuit College. However, Monopoli is also a seaside town and has about 13 km of coastline. Among the most beautiful coastlines we have the Spiaggia del Capitolo, Santo Stefano Beach and Cala di Torre Incina.

Tremiti Islands

The Tremiti Islands archipelago lies 22 km north of the Gargano promontory and belongs to the province of Foggia. In all we have 5 islands: San Nicola, San Domino, Capraia, Cretaccio and Pianosa. Only San Nicola and San Domino are inhabited. San Domino is the largest and most inhabited and here are the main tourist facilities, including the only sandy beach in the archipelago (Cala delle Arene). The other 3 islets are mostly huge uninhabited rocky cliffs. With their coves and sea caves, the Tremiti Islands are the perfect destination for those who love the sea and diving.

Polignano a Mare

A small town in the province of Bari, Polignano a Mare is renowned for being the birthplace of Dominic Modugno. The town's historic center still retains its old urban layout, and many monuments and buildings from the medieval period can be seen. Polignano a Mare, however, is primarily a seaside resort, with a wide selection of beaches and caves along the coast. Some of the most beautiful coastlines include Lama Monachile, Porto Contessa, San Vito, Cala Sala and Cala Fetente, while sea caves not to be missed are Grotta Azzurra and Grotta dei Fidanzati.

Alberobello

Trulli are the symbol of Puglia par excellence. They are ancient constructions with conical roofs and painted with white lime. Most of them are located in Alberobello, in the province of Bari, known appunta as the "town of trulli". Here there are more than a thousand of them and of all sizes. Dating back to the 17th century, they are still objects of study. In the Rione Aia Piccola you can see Casa Pezzolla, a group of 15 communicating trulli transformed into the Museum of the Territory. Of great effect is the church-trullo of St. Anthony, which has a dome as high as 20 meters. In Alberobello then you cannot miss a trip to the Trullo Sovrano, which hosts shows and musical concerts.

Lecce

Dubbed the Florence of the South, Lecce is one of those cities to visit at least once in a lifetime. It is the main town in Salento and can count on an important artistic heritage, evident from the traces of the so-called leccese baroque. Piazza Sant'Oronzo is the central square and is named after the city's patron saint. One corner of the square is occupied by the Roman Amphitheater built in the Augustan period and of which the arena, lower tiers and part of the outer walls remain. A short distance away is the Church of Santa Croce, a wonderful example of Lecce Baroque. Finally, you can admire Piazza del Duomo, where there is a spectacular view of the Cathedral, the bell tower and the Bishop's Palace.

Ostuni

One of the most unforgettable villages in Salento is Ostuni, the "white city", so nicknamed for the buildings completely plastered with lime in the historic center. Located in the province of Brindisi, it is a town of historical and cultural value, but has also been awarded several times for the quality of its beaches. There are many wonders to visit in the historic center, including the Co-cathedral, the Church of San Vito Martire, the former Carmelite Monastery, Palazzo dell'Episcopio, and the Column of Sant'Oronzo. Ostuni's countryside then teems with masserie, agricultural structures converted into agritourisms and resorts.