Puglia italy city on the map. Puglia Italy reviews. What seas wash Apulia

Puglia is the eastern part of Italy, it is located on the so-called "heel" of Italy. Since this region has the longest coastline in Italy, about eight hundred kilometers, here you can enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches, clear sea and incredible landscapes. "Heel" is washed by two seas - the Adriatic and the Ionian, and in its composition includes six excellent provinces, each of which is known for its attractions and beautiful views. Not sure what to see in Puglia? Especially for you, we have compiled a rating of popular places in this region, which included the most interesting sights of Puglia.

What to see in Puglia first

The most visited tourist destination in Puglia is the capital of Bari. There are several architectural monuments that are certainly worth a visit. For example, Bari Castle, built in another one thousand one hundred thirty-second year. Since they worked on the castle for several centuries, it combines several styles at once. During its existence, the majestic and powerful building managed to act as a defender against enemies, a prison with a barracks, and at the moment museum of History, as well as a venue for various exhibitions and various cultural events.

Bari Castle in the capital of Bari in Puglia Palickap

Basilica of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

The main attraction of Puglia in Italy, the capital of this region of Bari, for which tourists come there from all over the world, is the Basilica of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Here, starting with the thousand one hundred and ninety-seventh years, his relics are located. Saint Nicholas is one of the most famous saints. This applies to both Catholicism and Orthodoxy. He acts as the prototype of the beloved and well-known Santa Claus or Santa Claus. As a young man, he helped poor people in every way, and then in the city of Mira he was recognized as a Christian bishop, where his life ended in three hundred and forty-three. The basilica looks very beautiful and majestic. The old building is somewhat similar to a medieval citadel. Inside is not only the tomb of the miracle worker, but also the tomb of Bona Sforza, the famous Polish queen born in these places, the throne of Bishop Elijah. Looks magnificent Portal Lviv. It is worth coming to Bari only for the sake of this miraculous and unique place.

There is a Cathedral in the city called San Sabino, where the relics of Bishop Savin are located. The remains were in Bari in the ninth century. The modern building of the Cathedral makes a lasting impression. It was built between the end of the twelfth and the end of the thirteenth century. Before this place was Cathedral  Byzantine Empire, you can even see its remaining traces. During the reconstruction, the relics of the saint were located in the Basilica of St. Nicholas. The cathedral itself is made in the Apulian-Romanesque style. The church is characterized by a very strict interior decoration, perhaps only emporos, the so-called stands, stand out.

Feel the atmosphere of Puglia in this beautiful video!

Alberobello City

The calling card of Puglia is undoubtedly the city of Alberobello, located in the very south of Italy. Translated, the name means "tree" and "war." The fact is that for a long time there were whole oak groves here. Trees were actively used for the construction of reliable and powerful military mechanisms. This city is definitely worth a visit, here you can not only lie on the Adriatic coast, but also provide yourself with vivid impressions.

Incredible fame for the city brought the houses of the "trulli", which are no longer anywhere in the world. For their uniqueness, they were in the nineteen ninety-sixth year on the UNESCO list of cultural heritage. Externally, they are white-stone structures of a cylindrical shape with a cone-shaped roof. They are built by dry masonry. The peculiarity of such houses is that by pulling out one stone at the base of the roof, it was possible to completely destroy the entire settlement. At the end of the seventeenth century, one count decided to evade taxes, so it was decided to build houses that can be quickly and easily destroyed. Such houses have rather thick walls, which makes it easy to tolerate the heat. The light source is a single inlet. Everyone can see such a sight of Puglia in Italy.

City Santa Maria di Leuca

For those who love nature and incredible landscapes, you need to get into amazing city  Santa Maria di Leuca. It is the junction of two seas - the Adriatic and the Ionian. The name of the city itself is translated as “white”, since in this place this color dominates everywhere. The tourist port in this town is one of the largest. The coast has rocky and sandy areas. Interestingly, the stone pavilions that served for women are still preserved here. So, bathing, they were closed from men. The coast is interesting for mysterious and incredibly beautiful grottoes, which can be reached by fishing boats. Lovers of legends and lovers of beauty should definitely visit these places. Here on the cape is the lighthouse of Santa Maria di Leuca, opened as early as one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six. The height is about forty-eight meters above the ground and one hundred and two meters above sea level. On the coast are beautiful old villas built back in the late nineteenth century specifically for the relaxation of the rich. Also in the city you can visit the church of Santa Maria de Finibus Terre, the Tricase forest and much more.

Castellan's karst cave is one of the most magnificent. In fact, the cave is a real underground labyrinth. Located one kilometer from the town of Castellana Grotte. The direct entrance to the cave is a tunnel sixty meters long. The entire length of this complex is about three kilometers. Karst caves hit a large number of stalactites and stalagmites formed over three million years. You can go through the entire system in two hours, during which time you can enjoy stunning views. Castellana Cave is one of the most beautiful on the whole planet. Inside is a bust of Franco Anelli, a man who discovered and explored an amazing complex.

Sights of Puglia: what else to visit while in Puglia

Puglia is home to one of the most mysterious and beautiful medieval castles in the world - Castell del Monte. Translated, its name means "castle on the mountain," because it is located on a hill five hundred and forty meters high. The place is very beautiful, around lush vegetation, water. Unfortunately, little is known about the history of this building. It is known that the building was built over ten years. According to legend, it was used as a hunting house, prison, refuge during the plague. The building itself has a unique design - the shape of a regular octagon. An octagonal tower is erected on each corner. Inside there is a courtyard of a similar shape. The building is two-story, each has eight rooms. For a long time the castle was in an abandoned state. Only in the twentieth century did restoration begin, and from the year nineteen ninety-six did it enter the list World Heritage.

The ideal resorts for family vacations in Puglia are undoubtedly:

• Marina di Andrano, located in the province of Lecce. There are incredible rocky bays, pristine beaches;

• Gallipoli, and more specifically the snow-white beach of Lido San Giovanni, just two kilometers from the town of Foggia. The sea here is very calm;

• Margherita di Savoia, famous not only for its beautiful and cozy beaches, but also for its healing thermal baths.

These are just a few of the sights of beautiful Puglia. Explore amazing provinces with the whole family. Majestic cathedrals, stunning capes, karst caves, beaches, bays, cuisine - this is not all that this region prepares for its tourists. Read also about and be inspired for a further trip to Italy.

The cathedral in Otranto was built on the site of the early Christian church in the ancient Roman village. Such a concentration of various cultural and religious traditions could not leave a mark on further buildings of the city.

A harmonious combination of various architectural styles of the cathedral, a unique mosaic floor made of multi-colored smalt, richly decorated wooden ceilings carry features of both Byzantine and early Christian, Romanesque directions. The main nave of the cathedral is framed by granite columns topped with capitals. Through stairwells you can get into the crypt, inside which there are also numerous columns from different types of marble.

Restaurant Grotta Palazzese

In the small old town of Polignano, the sea has created numerous grottoes in limestone cliffs right under the houses. In the largest of these grottoes as early as 1700, the Duke de Leto arranged magnificent receptions for his guests. Today in this grotto there is a wonderful restaurant Grotta Palazzese.

Decorators preserved the ceiling and walls of the cave in their original form, creating an atmosphere of adventure and marine romance. The restaurant’s terrace, located at an altitude of twenty-five meters, offers a magical view of the blue waves of the Adriatic Sea. The restaurant offers its guests classic Mediterranean cuisine with a noticeable emphasis on seafood. Try Thai squid or grilled shrimp.

The restaurant belongs to the hotel of the same name, located on a cliff above the restaurant.

What sights of Puglia do you like? Next to the photo area there are icons, clicking on which you can evaluate this or that place.

Castellana Grottoes

Castellana Grottoes is the most famous speleological complex in Italy. The entrance to the first cave of 60 meters depth, popularly referred to as the "Abyss" (in Italian "la grava"), is a hole in the ground.

In ancient times, the local population believed that the gates of hell are located here. But in fact, these fears were easy to explain. Sometimes lost animals fell into the abyss from a cliff and died at the bottom. Naturally, a sharp unpleasant odor appeared, spreading everywhere and palpable even at the entrance to the cave. The peasants saw this as a mystical meaning, being sure that they felt the stench of the devil.

The cave was first studied by the caver Franco Anelli, who came down here in 1938. He discovered huge stalagmites at the bottom of the cave. They were called "cyclops" because of their bizarre shape. Next, the entrance to the long underground corridor was opened, in which grottoes of incredible beauty were discovered. Stalactites and stagmites grow everywhere in the grottoes, forming a magnificent landscape with bizarre natural sculptures made of crystals.

Nature worked on these magnificent caves for about 35 million years. Now the beginning of the cave is flooded by the Negro River, along which you can swim and view its surroundings. Waterfalls, meeting with light and shadow, enchant and bewitch. The atmosphere is truly mysterious and even mystical: groups of stalactites and stalagmites accumulate in figures, which are even given names. It is hard to imagine how much time and effort is needed for nature to create such miracles.

Del Angelo di Pertosa did not destroy a single earthquake, which means that the tunnels are much safer than the streets, and our ancestors knew about it. Even the ancient Greeks and Romans performed their rituals and sacred actions underground. Documents say that the cave was used as a dwelling and as a church (in the XII century).

The Caves del Angelo di Pertosa in Puglia is a unique natural and archaeological site that attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary in Loreto

The Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary, or Holy House, is one of the greatest Catholic shrines located in the Italian region of Marche.

According to legend, in the III century the mother of the Roman emperor Constantine I Elena, traveling around Nazareth, found a house in which the Virgin Mary was brought up and where the Annunciation took place. This is a small building with a length of only 850 cm, a width of 380 cm and a height of 410 cm. She ordered the church to be built over this house.

However, in the XIII century, during the battles of the crusaders with the Saracens, the church was destroyed, and the fate of the Holy House began to cause concern. Legend says that the angels took the house and moved it to Dalmatia. And then he no less mysteriously ended up in Loreto. A basilica was erected around it, and the Holy House became one of the most popular pilgrimage sites of Catholic Europe. Rene Descartes and Benedict XIV came to him as pilgrims.

Today, the ensemble, which includes the Holy House and the Basilica, are not only religious shrines, but also valuable architectural monuments.

Promenade Bari "new city

The new city, built in the 30s of the 20th century, its promenade built in the style of constructivism, recalls the work of Corbusier and Soviet architects of the 30s

Basilica del Santo Sepolcro

Next to the Colossus of Barletta is the 12th-century Romanesque basilica of San Sepolcro with distinctive features of oriental architecture. At the same time, its facade is made in the Baroque style.

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The old town of Bisceglie

Bisceglie is one of small towns  in a series of similar ones on the Adriatic coast. It was founded around the 11th century and, like other port towns, was one of the outlets of the Middle Ages. Ancient sights that have survived to this day are dumb witnesses to the active past of Bisceglie.

Here the church of St. Margaritas of the 12th century, Norman castle, the abbey of St. Adonius of the 11th century, St. Peter in the Romanesque style of 11-13 centuries, which was recently restored. All buildings over the centuries have undergone many changes, but nevertheless retained their original features. The coast, composed of limestones, is corroded by grottoes and caves, which can also be explored.

Of particular interest are dolmens preserved from ancient times, confirming the existence of settlements here in the most ancient times. The most famous of them is the dolphin of Chianca, which is attributed to the 14-16 centuries BC.

The most popular attractions in Puglia with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose the best places to visit the famous places of Puglia on our website.

More attractions of Puglia

The cleanest beaches on the Adriatic Sea, marked with the highest mark in the form of a blue flag, red land with contrasting crowns of olive trees, cozy churches and touching veneration of the Madonna, polished pavements and interweaving of cultures of ancient civilizations, surprisingly responsive locals, lovingly maintaining order on the coast, and housewives moonlighting concoctions right in front of tourists. All this is the region of Puglia, the easternmost of all regions of Italy. Those who were lucky enough to be here recall with great warmth this little authentic corner of the Apennine peninsula. On the map, it looks like the heel and heel of an elegant Italian boot with a spur.

The administrative center of the Apulia region is located in Bari, a port city with a long and complex but interesting story. Back in the days of the Roman Empire, land roads, sea lanes and pilgrim trails crossed here. The capital of Puglia is still a strategically important settlement in southern Italy.

• Among the regions of Italy, Apulia is considered the leader in winemaking. The region accounts for the production of about 40% of olive oil.
• In the cave of Grotta del Cavallo, located in the province of Lecce, two human teeth were found, whose age is 43-45 thousand years.
• Bari has the longest seafront promenade in Italy.
• The relics of the revered in Orthodoxy Nicholas the Wonderworker - the patron saint of Bari - were secretly taken to Apulia from Byzantium and placed in the crypt of the Catholic Basilica of St. Nicholas.
• The city of Lecce is called southern Florence.
• The most famous castle of the Middle Ages is located in the province of Bari. This is Castell del Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• In Italian, Puglia sounds like Puglia.
• The final destination of the Appian Way, stretching south from Rome, was the seaport of Brundisi (today - Brindisi). Its construction was completed in the second half of the 2nd century. BC, and the end of the path was marked by two marble columns.
• The Apulian aqueduct was built only at the beginning of the 20th century. Prior to this, the region suffered from droughts due to the small number of natural reservoirs with fresh water.
• In Apulia, the founder of the school of Italian sculpture Niccolo Pisano (13th century) and the famous opera singer Farinelli (18th century) were born, who underwent castration at an early age in order to maintain a high voice timbre.

Cities of Puglia

A bit of history

Archaeological finds suggest that in the territory of modern Puglia, homo sapiens lived in the Paleolithic era. It is assumed that the ancient Greeks appeared in the southeast of the Apennine peninsula around the 8th century BC. They constantly fought with the aborigines - messaps, longtime and apuls, who gave the region its present name. The battles subsided, then flared up with renewed vigor. And it lasted until at the turn of the 4th-3rd centuries. BC. the Romans did not intervene in the situation.

Puglia after the fall of the western part of the Roman Empire (5th century) was plundered. Goths with Byzantines, as well as Lombards with Saracens, visited here. The heyday came only in the 11th century with the arrival of the Normans in these fertile lands, who again organized trade flows between Europe and the East and included the “boot” in the Sicilian kingdom. But the suffering of the Apulians did not end there. The Spanish rule of the 15-16th century again led the region to a crisis. Interestingly, despite such a mishmash, Greek continued to exist in some parts of Puglia.

The region joined the united Italy in 1861. A little later, the boundaries of the Apulia region were determined. Initially, it included three provinces - Bari, Lecce and Foggia. In the 20th century, Brindisi and Taranto were singled out. The most recent - Barletta-Andria-Trani appeared in 2004.

Sights of Puglia

The region is famous for the virgin beauty of nature reserves and parks. Here you can see ancient burials - dolmens and mysterious stone obelisks - menhirs, get acquainted with masterpieces of architecture of different eras and priceless works of art. In Puglia, tourists enjoy visiting cathedrals and medieval castles, farms and museum cities, karst caves and grottoes. The attention of travelers is attracted by ancient villages, monuments, castles and much more.

When to go to Puglia

Apulia: weather

The beaches with golden sands and crystal water await guests from late spring to late fall. Most of them flutter blue flagsthat leave no doubt about the cleanliness of the coastal zone of Puglia and the highest level of service. Sunbathing here can be combined with boat trips to remote bays and caves, fishing and outdoor activities surrounded by unspoiled nature.

Historic monuments and cities of art, museums and castles, basilicas and World Heritage Sites, the most famous of which are the trulli in Alberobello, are fun houses with conical roofs all year round. The colorful villages of Puglia await guests at any time of the year. Arrival can be planned for one of the traditional holidays. Each of them is accompanied by colorful ceremonies or theatrical tournaments.

In order to taste local cuisine, sweet delicacies, fish, Negroamaro, Aleatico and Primitivo wines, unsurpassed burrata cheese, Altamura and Latertz bread - you do not need to choose a special time. Apulians are always ready to offer tourists the most sophisticated menu!

Apulia on a map of Italy

The hilly and flat terrain of Puglia is located along the coasts of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. The coastline is almost 860 km long, which is the highest among the mainland regions of Italy. At the same time, only about 2% of the territory belongs to the mountain landscape, which defines the area as the least elevated. The most high peak  refers to Monte Cornacchia. Its mark above sea level reaches 1152 meters.

Puglia is bordered by areas such as Basilicata, Campania and Molise; The region combines six provinces. But its territory has another division, including seven historical and geographical zones. Their borders do not coincide with the borders of the modern province.

How to get to Puglia

9 km north of Bari is the international airport Karol Wojtyła, named after Pope John Paul II. Airplanes flying to / from most land here european countriesas well as Egypt, Latvia, Turkey. Puglia Airport also serves local airlines. Slightly less significant international Airport  Papola Casale is located in Brindisi, 35 km from Lecce.

Puglia is connected by road and rail to other regions of the country. In port cities, marine passenger traffic is no less developed.

The region, which is very diverse, does not immediately reveal all its many faces - this is Puglia, Heel  Italian "Boot", a region enchanting with its beauty and wealth - nature, history, traditions, delicious cuisine and high spirituality. You can come here all 12 months of the year!

Who loves a vacation at sea, here will be delighted with the breadth of choice: you can bask in the magnificent sandy beaches  Torre del Orso  and Porto Cesareo, and you can go to the most picturesque rocky shores Otranto  and in Santa Maria di Leuca, - a place where the waters of the transparent and serene Ionian and bright blue Adriatic seas meet, or go to any of the resorts located between the "Pearl of Salento", a town Gallipoli, and the Spur italian Boot", Cape Gargano, outstanding in the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic, where tremiti Islands.
The kingdom of virgin nature - National park  Murge  and Gargano Park, whose territory is the forest of Forest Umbra, salt marshes and lakes. You should definitely visit the marine reserve Torre Guacheto, look at the deep ravines of the area of \u200b\u200bLaterza and the wide valleys of the area Altamura, - a typical landscape of the internal territory of the region.

For those who want to plunge into history, Puglia offers a gamut of places telling about the ancient origins of this area: from prehistoric times to the period of Ancient Greece, from the Roman Empire to the Renaissance and magnificent baroque monuments in the town of Lecce and in the Salento area.
A striking evidence of the peasant past of the region are unusual white houses with conical roofs made of gray stone - “trulli”, for example, in the Valley of Itria, and numerous castles make up a real treasury south coast  region, recalling the times when both goods and dangers came to Puglia from the sea.
Fans of traditions and folklore music should definitely visit at least one of the many festivities  and gastronomic festivals, taking place in the summer in turn in many Puglia towns.
Provinces of Puglia: Bari (administrative center  areas) Barletta Andria Trani ,  Brindisi , Foggia , Lecce , Taranto .

Sights in Puglia will be enough for every taste, from monuments of antiquity to the Middle Ages and the Baroque era, from castles lined up along the coast to the small medieval towns of Borgi, where local artisans make real masterpieces.

All travelers, and especially pilgrims, should definitely visit the town   San giovanni rotondo  in the province of Foggia. Here is the grave, memorials and sanctuaries associated with life. St. Pio of Pietrelcina: Capuchin Monastery Santa Maria delle Grazie, where he died in 1968 Padre Pio, as well as a new church, opened in 2004, designed by the famous Italian architect Renzo Piano.

You need to call in Alberobello - a wonderful town where you can fully immerse yourself in the story  and local traditions. Alberobello is the birthplace of ancient, characteristic for this area stone houses with conical roofs, built manually without the use of any cementitious mortar - “trulli”. Since 1996, these unique buildings have been protected by UNESCO.

Near the city of Andria there is another monument from the UNESCO World Heritage List, unique masterpiece medieval architecture  - Castell del Monte castle, built in the 13th century by Emperor Frederick II Hohenstaufen. It is curious that the “magic” number of this castle is the number 8: the building in plan has the shape of an octahedron, on the first and second floors there are 8 halls forming an octagon, and the massive towers surrounding the castle are also 8, while, of course, each of them has 8 faces.

Paradise in miniature and eye candy five islands tremiti archipelago: San Domino, San Nicola, Capraia, Cretaccio and Pianosa.
Here, in the splendor of tempting landscapes, nature and history are ideally combined.

Puglia is washed by the seas on both sides, so the options active rest   in the bosom of nature  there are many. Do not be bored and those who like to discover a fascinating and mysterious world seas.

Crystal clear waters tremiti Islands  combined with amazing views of the bays, caves and deep sea  decorated with dense vegetation and inhabited by different species of fish. Santa Maria di Leucalocated on the border between The Ionian and AdriaticAlso worthy of the attention of travelers. The depth of the seabed in some places reaches 90 meters, and the life forms that inhabit the local underwater kingdom create a unique color scheme. Lovers aquatic species  sports can be practiced all year windsurfing  and kitesurfing.

And yet Puglia is not only the sea.
You can discover the nature of this region, its history and traditions by bicycle. It’s not necessary to be experienced cyclistto go on a trip on two wheels: enough desire to try something new, and do not forget about a hat to protect yourself from the bright sun. The choice of routes is huge: you can enjoy nature while cycling along trails gargano nature reserves  (Parco del Gargano) or Murge  (Parko delle Murge); to study history, contemplating numerous monuments, or go deep into the region to enjoy the measured way of life of these parts away from the bustle of big cities.

Throughout the year, many festivities, gastronomic festivals and theatrical reconstructions of memorable historical events take place throughout Puglia. The most popular are carnival in Putignano, St. Nicholas Dayin bari and the historical duel Dysfida di Barletta. Young and not only worth it at least once in your life to get to the festival of traditional local dances: pizza and tarantella, which takes place annually at the end of August in the town Melpignano. Guests from all over Europe come to visit the festival called Taranta Night (Notte della Taranta) to sing and dance together in the moonlight to the sound of drumming.

Puglia’s cuisine, which has long been called the "kitchen of the poor" because of the simplicity of its products, can cater to the whims of even the most demanding gourmet. It is based on three main ingredients: durum wheat, vegetables and olive oil, which, combined with meat and fish, create original dishes with a natural, incomparable taste. The basis of local cuisine is homemade pasta. For dough, durum wheat or a mixture of durum and soft flour are used. A peculiar symbol of the region is “reckietelle” or “orecchiette” - in all the variety of dishes prepared from them, “strashinati”, which were once considered the food of the poor and are now very popular in the best restaurants. Other original pasta is also popular in Puglia: minewicke, feneshekkie, troccoli, sanya ncannuate, chicatadde; they are still cooked according to old recipes. But it is in the combination of pasta and vegetables that the main peculiarity of Apulian dishes lies: "stranichini" with cabbage and fried brisket or spaghetti with green beans, tomatoes and "kachoricotta" cheese. Puglia is, in fact, a large color garden full of vegetables unique in taste and aroma, which, in combination with homemade pasta, fresh sea fish or fresh meat, give an unforgettable taste experience. Fans of fish and seafood, this amazing region, washed on both sides by the seas with a coast of 800 km in length, will simply spoil you with a choice of all kinds of fish dishes. Seafood prepared in a variety of ways will suit the tastes of any gourmet: fresh raw or pickled fish, magnificent thick fish soups and even fish in combination with cachio cheese. There are also many temptations for the sweet tooth: a variety of delicacies based on dried fruits, honey, thick grape syrup "wine cotto", candied fruit and chocolate. Among excellent food products that deserve the name DOP (protected name) or IGT (Indication geographical origin), it is necessary to note the very popular fragrant, crisp bread of the city from the town of Altamura; tangerine “clementines” growing on the shore of the Taranto Bay, famous for their sweet and juicy pulp; Bella della Downa olives grown from the 15th century in the vicinity of the city of Foggia; as well as the famous wines and extra virgin olive oil. Each type of wine or olive oil has its own unique taste, depending on the place where it is grown and produced.

And washed by the waters of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Also, it has the longest coastline among all the continental regions of the country. Plain landscapes prevail here, and the Fortore and Brandano rivers act as land boundaries. The highest mountain peaks are Monti Downey and Calvet, whose height exceeds 1000 meters above sea level.

Features

By its geographical structure, the region is divided into 6 provinces and several historical regions. Each province has its own capital and a number of cities. Puglia has well-developed oil refining, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, as well as clothing, textile and rubber industries. Particular attention is paid to winemaking, which has long been a leader in the state in this area. A significant income in the regional treasury brings tourism. Regular interest among travel lovers is caused by the local cities with a rich historical heritage. In the province of Taranto, there is the 2nd most important naval port of Italy, which confirms the serious status of the region as one of the important centers of the defense complex. There are many excellent beach resorts in Puglia, which are distinguished by a well-established tourist infrastructure and convenient transport links.

general information

The territory of the region covers an area of \u200b\u200bjust over 19,300 square meters. km, with a population of about 4,000,000 people. The number of communes is 258. Local time is 1 hour behind the Moscow time in the summer and 2 in the winter. The time zone is UTC +1 and UTC +2 in the summer. Official website www.regione.puglia.it.

A brief excursion into history

Initially, the lands of Puglia were inhabited by messups, long ago, Trojans and Greeks. With the advent of our era, the Romans came here, subsequently paving the roads of Appieva and Trayanova here. During the Second Punic War, the area passed to the side of Hannibal, who defeated the Romans shortly before, at the Battle of Cannes. After some time, during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, Apulia was transformed into a province. In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the cultural and educational level in the region sharply increased, and many unique architectural structures appeared. Since then, the region is considered one of the most developed and progressive in Italy, continuing to grow in different directions.

Climate

Puglia is dominated by a pronounced Mediterranean climate. The average air temperature in the winter months is +6 - +8 degrees, and in the summer it regularly exceeds +30. Precipitation mainly falls from November to March, and from April to October, as a rule, it is dry and very warm. On the coast, the swimming season begins in May and ends in October.

How to get there

The main international airport of the region is in Bari. It takes flights from many countries of the world, including from Russia and the CIS. Another major international airport is located in Brindisi, but it mainly serves flights from the UK and Switzerland.

Transport

All regional districts and provincial capitals are interconnected by bus and rail. From Bari and Brindisi there is the possibility of reaching the Greek islands by ferry. In cities, buses and minibuses are the most common transport. Even in the smallest settlements you can rent a car or bike, not to mention taxi services.

Main cities

The port city of Puglia is a port city with a long history, which was largely influenced by the reign of the ancient Greeks and then the Romans. About 96% of the locals are Italians, while the average age is quite young - only 42 years old. The city has the status of the most important economic and cultural center of the region, where there is a whole placer of architectural monuments belonging to the historical heritage of Italy. Except Bari, the most major cities of the region are Avetrana, nicknamed “Florence of Puglia” because of the abundance of monuments made in the Baroque style, founded back in the Spartan era, and having an area of \u200b\u200ba large metropolis and covering an area of \u200b\u200bmore than 500 square meters. km All these cities have their own attractive features and are of considerable interest to tourists.

Major resorts

The most popular beach resort in Puglia is Marina di Andrano, in the province of Lecce. Here, to the gaze of vacationers, landscapes of incredible beauty open up with magnificent cliffs and quiet bays, the water in which has a pronounced turquoise hue. The beaches of Zona Botte and Zona Grotta Verde, famous for their picturesque caves, are especially famous here. In the place where the Adriatic and Ionian Seas meet, there, in the province of Lecce, there is the resort of Castrignano del Capo, in the mysterious grottoes of which the Byzantine monks used to hide from persecution. Galliano del Capo, not far from Castrignano del Capo, is another colorful place to stay. Porto Cesareo is no less bright, famous for its karst caves and excellent conditions for diving. Gallipoli, in the province of Foggia, is recommended for families. In addition, international sailing competitions are regularly held here. In the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, the resort of Margherita di Savoia stands out, with its ethereal landscapes and healing thermal springs. Of course, among the connoisseurs of bright sun and clear sea waters, the coast of Monopoly, as well as the coastline of Polignano a Mare, belonging to the province of Bari, enjoys success. In Brindisi, the most attractive resort is Ostuni, with wide beaches and beautiful natural landscapes. Those who wish to experience the healing properties of thermal waters are recommended Santa Cesaria Terme, which has long been famous for its sulfur springs. The beaches of the region have both sandy and pebbly coverings, so before traveling to a particular resort, this information should be clarified separately.

Attractions and entertainment

In addition to major cities such as Brindisi and where the main historical and cultural monuments of the past are located, Puglia has other interesting places. Among them is the unique old town of Alberobello, known for its quaint houses with conical roofs called “trulli”, a system of karst caves in Castellana Grotte, the medieval castle of Castell del Monte, 16 km from Andria, ancient city  Martina Franca, walled and fabulous village of Ostuni, with red earth and silver olive trees. These sights are just a small part of the rich variety of beauties and wonders with which the region of Puglia is saturated. Among the most iconic holidays celebrated on its territory, the annual summer opera festival held in Martina Franca and grandiose events in honor of St. Nicholas in Bari, which take place there in early May, stand out.

Kitchen

The main culinary components of dishes in the region are olive oil, vegetables and durum wheat. Among the most famous culinary works, Orecchiette pasta, a Tiella terracotta pot seasoned with rice, potatoes and mussels, as well as seafood sauté called Ciambotto stand out. Among the red wines, Primitivo di Manduria and Salice Salentino are popular. Of the whites, the most authoritative are Martina Franca and Locorotondo. As in any part of the country, special attention is paid here to ice cream and various other desserts.

Shopping

The most successful cities for shopping in Puglia are Bari shops, Alberobello craft markets, which open in August, the antique market in Gallipoli, open every first Sunday of the month, and the monthly large market in Brindisi, where you can buy completely unique things low prices. The same applies to Madonna del Ponte, where the market opens in September, when the city hosts a major festival. In almost any settlement  There are souvenir shops and shops with high-quality goods in the area, so shopping enthusiasts do not usually leave here disappointed.

Puglia is one of the most colorful tourist destinations in. It is unlikely that it can argue in popularity with the northern part of the country or Sicily, but, nevertheless, this region can also offer its guests a lot of entertainment for every taste, including excellent wide beaches, beautiful natural landscapes and a whole placer historical placesof great interest to true travel lovers.