Showbook Puglia 2009 NEW E

PUGLIA Puglia – or Apulia is located in south-east Italy, between the Adriatic coast and the Tyrrhenian Sea. It has a surface of about 19.000 sqm and approximately 4.1 million inhabitants. Salento peninsula, in south Apulia, constitutes the heel boots. Bari is the capital of Apulia. In the fertile coastal plans are cultivated olive-trees, cereals, tomatoes and grape-wines. Apulia is a very important region for wine production. From here come some very appreciated red wines. The most famous varieties are: Primitivo, Negroamaro and Sangiovese. In an area of 107.571 hectares, are produced 7.580.000 hectolitres wines in total (DOC production: 259.900 hectolitres). The most famous wine producing zones are Castel del Monte, Canosa, Locorotondo and Foggia. The climate is characterized by hot summers and gentle winters. Featured by CharmingPuglia.com http://www.charmingpuglia.com/en tel: +39 070 513 489 fax: +39 070 554 964 e-mail: [email protected] GEOGRAPHY The provinces of Puglia: Foggia , Bari , Brindisi , Lecce e Taranto Puglia includes the following provinces: Foggia , Bari , Brindisi , Lecce and Taranto . There are many monuments and places to see, because the land boasts an ancient history which over time has been ruled by Dauni, Peucetians, Messapians, Greeks, Romans and Byzatines. Who is interested to see the ancient Magna Grecia capital, should go to Taranto. The most impressive monuments are the testimonies dating back to the times of Emperor Frederick II, including Castel del Monte . Other interesting places to visit are the Gravine, deep valleys embedded in the limestone Murge, whose walls were often used for the construction of apartments in the rock, such as in Massafra, Mottola.... Above all, Puglia is a region where the Roman style predominates . In all the coastal cities, but also in the hinterland, there are important buildings in Roman style. Among the most important centres, we find: Trani , Bari , Molfetta , Troia , Monte Sant’ Angelo , Canosa , Bitonto . Itria Valley is the Trulli area, where the white buildings from the curious curved roofs are not to be missed. A special mention has to be made for Alberobello . In many places you can visit the ancient remains dating to the prehistoric period . Near the city of Foggia , you can find the ruins of the ancient Daunia ; the Peucetians settled in the today’s land of Bari, while the Messapians settled in Salento. Of particular interest are the excavations of Egnatia , near Fasano, located on the Adriatic coast. Messapi ancient ruins can be seen in Mandria. Another attraction are the caves of Castellana , the largest of Puglia, maybe of Italy, not far from the homonym town. A pleasant modern entertainment is the nearby Zoo Safari of Fasano, whereas palaeontology lovers can go to Altamura, where interesting caves hosts prehistoric drawings and traces of dinosaurs . Featured by CharmingPuglia.com http://www.charmingpuglia.com/en tel: +39 070 513 489 fax: +39 070 554 964 e-mail: [email protected] GEOGRAPHY & PLACES OF INTEREST BARI Capital of the Apulia Region, with its 316,500 inhabitants , is situated along the coast plain . It’s only a few kilometres from the border with Murgia Barese . The Murgia is a limestone plateau bounded by Corso dell’Ofanto , by the region of Messapia , Basilicata and the Adriatic Sea . Murgia region, which partially includes the homonym park , is astonishing for the variety of its landscapes , such as caves , shrines , defensive structures , churches and rural settlements , villages and cities . The shape of the city resembles a bird with outstretched wings , whose head corresponds to the old town Bari Vecchia . In the third century BC began the Roman Empire domination. Over the centuries Bari came under the dominion of the Arabs before, the Lombards , Byzantines and Saracens later. The city of Bari was the seat of the Eastern Roman Empire fleet. After that Saint Nicola relics had been secretly filched and was later built the Basilica dedicated to the saint, Bari became one of the main Christianity centres. It was the point of departure and return of the Crusades as well as communication bridge with the East. Following the Normans , Angevins , Aragons and Spanish dominations, in 1813 the city began to develop outside the centre, with the construction of new settlements. Today, Bari plays a primary role in the international commercial relationships , thanks to the strategic role of its ports , airports , and to Fiera del Levante trade fair complex. PLACES OF INTEREST Some remarkable monuments and some important relatively recent buildings are: Petruzzelli Theatre , Margherita Theatre , Piccinni Theatre and Fizzarotti Palace . There are numerous rural churches and tombs carved into the rock: among them, S. Candida Church , the Temple of S. Giorgio, Madia Diana Hypogeum and the Jewish Hypogeum . Among the most interesting museums, we recall the Archaeological Museum , the Provincial Library , the Historical Museum and the Botanical Garden . The most significant events are St. Nicholas , patron saint of the city, which takes place December 6 and 7-9 May, and the exhibitions of Fiera del Levante , organized with the same enthusiasm since 1930. Also the Basilica of San Nicola and its Museum, the Norman-Swabian Castle of Bari definitely worth a visit. Featured by CharmingPuglia.com http://www.charmingpuglia.com/en tel: +39 070 513 489 fax: +39 070 554 964 e-mail: [email protected] GEOGRAPHY & PLACES OF INTEREST MONOPOLI Monopoly is in the Adriatic coast; its territory is flat except for Loggia del Pilato , a terrace overlooking the plain . It has almost 47,000 inhabitants and in the surroundings, easily reachable, there are interesting tourist centres like Polignano a Mare, Alberobello, Castellana Grotte, Ostuni and Fasano . Its position on a beautiful sea, awarded by Legambiente with Vela Blu (blue sail), is characterized by 25 fine sandy beaches , spread over a surface of 13 Km. The typical rural buildings are the Masserias , old fortified farms and homes of agricultural jobs , churches , villages and countryside villas . Agricultural production primarily consists of the cultivation of olive-trees , almond-trees , fruit trees and vegetables . The name Monopoly means unique city , and probably dates back to when the citizens of the nearby Gnazia , destroyed by the Goths of Totila , arrived in the city, which at the time was only a village. Even in Monopoly, as in other towns in the region, Normans , Byzantines and Swabians ruled over the centuries. Monopoly was also ruled by Venice , which realized the enlargement of the port and under which the city experienced a very flourishing period , in part due to having supported trades with the hinterland regions, whose products were much in demand by external market. Following the Spanish and Austrian domination, Monopoly came under the Kingdom of Naples and finally under the Kingdom of Italy. PLACES OF INTEREST The monument representing the city is the Castle of Charles V , a defensive construction of Aragonese origin, built as a Benedictine monastery , later renewed by Charles V for defensive purpose and currently home to exhibitions and conferences. The entire old town consists of well-preserved remains of the old city walls . The fortified Masserias , still in perfect conditions, are located just beyond the borders of the historic centre, in the heart of the port, and in the sweet hills of the inland. Just 3 km away from the city is Santo Stefano, a private manor estate, once a Benedictine Abbey, founded in 1086 by Goffredo d'Altavilla . Among the many traditions, it’s important to remember the holiday dedicated to Saints Cosma and Damiano, which take place the first weekend of June and the raft commemorating procession, which carries the icon of the Madonna della Madia; it repeats the same two times a year, on 14 August and 16 December. Worth seeing are also the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the Feast of Saint Lucia and the Christmas market. Featured by CharmingPuglia.com http://www.charmingpuglia.com/en tel: +39 070 513 489 fax: +39 070 554 964 e-mail: [email protected] GEOGRAPHY & PLACES OF INTEREST BRINDISI Capital of the homonym province, Brindisi has about 88,000 inhabitants and is located in the Salento plains, on the Adriatic Sea with which is connected from a natural harbour. It was the principal centre of Messapia, always out of line with the near city Taranto. In 267 BC it was conquered by the Romans and linked to Rome by Via Appia and Via Traiana, whose end is attested by two Roman columns. Brindisi was an important bishop's seat ; it was conquered by Goths , Byzantines and in 674 AD was devastated by the Longobards . Later, as all the surrounding towns under the Byzantines, fell under the Norman and Aragonese domination, before being conquered by the Maritime Republic of Venice and finally get under the Kingdom of Naples . Brindisi reached its heyday under the Kingdom of Italy and in the next century, between 1943 and 1944, was capital of Italy for five months. PLACES OF INTEREST The impressive Aragonese Castle , also known as the castle of the sea , was built for defensive purposes in 1491 on the island facing the port. It has two distinct parts : the Red Castle , which takes name from the red bricks which compose it, and the Fort , seat of Navy Command . In the centre of the city, in Piazza Duomo , the De Cateniano Portico , once belonging to Hospitaller Order of the Knights of Jerusalem, the Archaeological Museum , the Loggia of Palazzo Balsamo , the Diocesan Museum . In San Pietro degli Schiavoni area you can visit the archaeological excavations , partially dating back to Roman times. Along the road towards San Vito you can see Tancredi Fountain , built in the year 1192, at the hands of the Norman King Tancred of Sicily .

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