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Polignano
a Mare is a beautiful town perched on cliffs that rise from the clear
waters of the Adriatic Sea, enriched with beautiful caves including the
most spectacular in size, play of light and color is the Cave Palazzese.
The presence of man dates back to Neolithic times and is attested by
the archaeological sites of S. Barbara and Manfred hypogeum.
The presence of Roman domination is evidenced by the Via Appia Traiana,
which bears witness to the socio-economic dynamics of the ancient town.
Wandering in the center polignanese you can see the artistic and
cultural influence over the centuries has written his micro.
In
the historical center is accessed through the main door now called "Arc
Marchesale" which was the only entrance to the city until 1780, when
south-east was opened small door. The arch Marchesale still shows where
the guides ran the grating, the ties of old doors and a century fresco
representing the Crucifixion.
Arch Marchesale passed, we reach the piazzeta dedicated to the
noblewoman and writer Fulvia Miani Perotti, belonging to the family of
feudal lords of Polignano, owners of the Palace Marchesale.
Front is observed the Governor's Palace, left the palace dedicated to
the artist Pino Pascali where you can see the 'Archive Pascali and
enjoy art exhibitions of various kinds, in Via dei Mulini is located
the Church of Purgatory born at the Cemetery St. Martin.
Continuing in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II admires the Palace Clock
medieval and the Mother Church. The latter, built on a former pagan
temple, is in Romanesque style and keeps within the works of a
Renaissance sculptor Pugliese, Stefano da Putignano; paintings dating
from the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries. and wooden furniture.
The old town leads through alleys and lanes that come with the charming
balconies overlooking overlooking the sea, offering visitors stunning
views of the azure sea.
Polignano birthplace of the famous singer Domenico
Modugno, "Mr. Fly," which you can see a bronze statue dedicated to him
on the waterfront.
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- CONVERSANO
-
CASTELLANA GROTTE
-
ALBEROBELLO
- LOCOROTONDO
- MARTINA FRANCA
-
CISTERNINO |
- EGNAZIA
- OSTUNI
- ORIA |
- TRANI
- CASTEL DEL MONTE |
- FASANO |
- TORRE GUACETO |
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| Routes 1: CONVERSANO -
CASTELLANA GROTTE -
ALBEROBELLO - LOCOROTONDO - MARTINA FRANCA - CISTERNINO |
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CONVERSANO
Not
far from the Adriatic coast and in the heart of the subregion
Premurgia, Conversano preserves and reveals a wealth of rare artistic
beauty that dates from the arrival of the Normans in 1054 when Geoffrey
de Hauteville, Robert Guiscard's nephew, built the Norman castle with
trapezoidal cylindrical and polygonal towers and majestic. Conversano
bears the marks of time and reveals them starting from the ancient
cyclopean walls.
Vibrant
city that is its square Conversano called "Largo Court" where you stand
the Romanesque Cathedral, built between the eleventh and twelfth
centuries. The Benedictine Monastery and Castle. The latter houses the
paintings of Paul Finoglio seventeenth-century artist. |
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CASTELLANA
GROTTE
Known
for the complex karst caves, among the largest (about 3 km) and
evocative of Italy, Castellana Grotte offers an underwater paradise
where you can admire the impressive works of art result of the slow
flow of water. In the depths of the earth colorful stalactites and
stalagmites, alabaster fluorescence, underground lakes and the
invisible hand of nature offer a unique spectacle.
Castellana
is full of noble palaces, churches, among which the baroque Church of
San Francesco. |
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ALBEROBELLO
Known
worldwide for its houses, Alberobello was declared World Heritage by
UNESCO since 1996.
An
ancient tradition dates back to the birth of Alberobello Giangirolamo
II Acquaviva (XVII sec.) Guercio and the notorious Earl of conversation
that forced the peasants to build stone huts because exempt from taxes
payable to the Crown of Naples or to reserve of them are killed in
checks sent by the Commission directed from Naples. The trulli were
built in dry, without mortar using the typical "nonsense" drawn from
the local limestone.
Alberobello
in its oldest part is divided into two districts: Monti and Aia Piccola
where you can admire more than a thousand trulli. On top of the first
district you can visit the church of St. Anthony, also shaped trulli
with large dome 21 meters high and a Greek cross, in a city you can
visit the Sovereign Trullo, now a museum and place of cultural
encounters.
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LOCOROTONDO
Halfway
between Alberobello and Martinafranca in that part of the Apulian
Murgia known, the traveler will appear on the horizon Locorotondo as a
white cathedral dominates the Itria valley dotted with trulli.
Locorotondo charming village is able to receive visitors in their
districts features. Maintains a national monument: the Basilian Church
of Our Lady of the Greek (1100). Here you can visit the oldest trulli
in Italy: Trullo in Marziolla (1509). The "Locorotondo" is a popular
DOC wine production has been allowed in the provinces of Bari and
Brindisi.
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MARTINA
FRANCA
Murge
southern city located 431 meters above sea level, Martina Franca
Taranto was founded by refugees fleeing to the Saracen invasions of the
tenth century. The city faces the Itria Valley, a place name that
derives from the discovery of an ancient icon of Our Lady Odegitria.
Itria Valley is a basin karst features a lovely natural landscape
dotted with trulli bordered by stone walls.
The
current appearance of the city dates back to more economic development
and influenced the Baroque Lecce dominant palaces and churches, among
which the church of San Martino, built over an earlier Roman building.
Among the civic buildings recall the Ducal Palace, home of the Museum
of Natural Pianelle University Palace (1478) and the beautiful Palazzo
Stabile.
The
territory of the city makes a good wine D.O.C.
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CISTERNINO
Formerly
called Sturnium was dominated by the Romans and was the center of the
Second Punic War fought between the Carthaginians and Romans by
Hannibal in 216 BC.
After
the long period of peace and development coincided with the imperial
era, the town was destroyed by the Goths of Alaric the early fifth
century dC.L 'current resources inhabited by monks of the Basilian who
refounded under the name cis-sturnium, that on this side of Sturnium,
and built an abbey dedicated to St. Nicholas on the spot where now
stands the Mother Church.
In
town you can visit the medieval Norman-Swabian tower (XI sec.) And the
Mother Church, the Episcopal Palace in Renaissance style, the
Governor's Palace (XVI century)., Palaces and Pepe Cenci. Just outside
the village you can visit the Romanesque church of Our Lady of Hibernia
(1100).
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| Routes
2: EGNAZIA - OSTUNI -
ORIA |
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EGNAZIA
Located
a few miles from Polignano, the Archaeological Park of Egnatia
represents a milestone for those who want to immerse themselves more
remote antiquity. Village built in the age of bronze and survived until
the end of the Roman Empire, the period Messapian keep the necropolis,
the megalithic walls 7 feet high defense which extend for about 2 km
around the archaeological site, graves, tombs, mosaics and a museum
which houses many archaeological finds.
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OSTUNI
Only
a few kilometers from the beautiful Adriatic coast atop a lonely hill
rises Ostuni, known as the White City for the particular coloration of
the houses with the lime that makes it visible from afar. The use of
lime derived from the period of plagues and is a good way to work out
roads built between the houses stacked one another. Ostuni is entered
through Porta Nova (XV sec.), And Port St. Demetrius (XIII sec.)
Opening into the wall which has the particularity to accommodate
civilian homes. Among the churches include St. James of Compostela (XV
sec.), S. Maria Annunziata (1499), the sober Lady Nova (1561), St.
Peter (1659), Cathedral (XV century). With beautiful rose window and
Sant'Oronzo the column in the center square.
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ORIA
The
foundation of Oria, according to Herodotus, came when a group of Cretan
wrecked along the coast not far from Salento Oria. The Cretans chose
the highest hill to begin construction by the city because there could
well control the surrounding territory. Gave this city its name Hyria.
The city of Oria Messapic had contact with all the major cities of the
time, both of which city Messapia Magna Graecia. The castle, built by
Frederick II in the thirteenth century, is the main monument. Among the
churches that stand out for their artistic interest of St. Francis of
Assisi (who went on preaching here), St. Francis of Paola (1580) S.
Mary in the Temple (XII sec.), St. John the Baptist and St. Dominic
(1572). Outside the town do not miss the church of S. Mary Gallani
along the Via Appia Antica and the Madonna della Scala (thirteenth
century).. In the first decade of August takes place on the parade,
consisting of some 400 participants and sees the four districts face
two tests of the medieval time.
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| Routes
3: TRANI
- CASTEL DEL MONTE |
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TRANI
Beautiful
town overlooking the Adriatic Sea near Bari, Trani infects visitors
through the beauty of its harbor and its immense historical
architettonico.Il its territory was inhabited continuously since
Neolithic times but the current center appeared in Roman times with
Turenum name along the route of the Via Traiana, probably in the third
century AD. According to legend, was founded by the Tyrrhenian Instead,
the mythical son of the Homeric hero Diomedes. Getting in Trani,
through the magnificent old town of Trani and made of stone buildings,
churches, come to the port and admire the Castle Frederick overlooking
the sea is an unforgettable experience for every visitor sensitive to
artistic beauty. The Romanesque Cathedral dedicated to San Nicola
Pellegrino (1097), stands majestically overlooking the sea and became a
reference point for sailors. The visit can not be said complete
excluding the Doges Palace in Venice Giudecca and synagogues, once a
ghetto and a refuge for Jews.
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CASTEL
DEL MONTE
Not
far from Andria, you can visit the beautiful Castel del Monte, built by
Frederick of which officially puts the construction date January 29,
1240 when the Emperor Frederick II wanted it to be built near the
church of Sancta Maria de Monte, now lost . The site has since 1996
joined the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beyond the specific meaning of
the Castle, visit the place is a must for a magical atmosphere that
evokes and the splendid panorama of the Murge plateau.
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| Routes
4: FASANO |
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FASANO
Fasano
comes from the hamlet of Santa Maria di Fajano (Sancta Maria de
Fajano), founded in 1088 by part of the population had abandoned the
ruins of Gnazia, one of the most important way of Trajan, with its
important port.
Zoo
safari di Fasano Fasanolandia is the first zoo animal park in Italy and
one of the biggest in Europe for number of species present. It receives
about 1,700 specimens of 200 different species in an area with
Mediterranean extended for about 140 hectares. Zoo Safari of Fasano is
organized in more macro-fauna.
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| Routes
5: TORRE
GUACETO |
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TORRE
GUACETO
State
Nature Reserve of Tower Guaceto is a nature reserve situated on the
Adriatic coast of the High Salento, a few kilometers from the centers
of Carovigno Norman and San Vito, 27 km from Brindisi. This stretch of
coastline, six kilometers long, including a Mediterranean landscape,
with strong characters that slips over the dunes from the sea through
the Mediterranean scrub and marshes, up to an olive grove. Every shape
and color of the Park is promoted and shaped by the sea.
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