Puglia a land of conquest and domination. The castles, true masterpieces of architecture, including the Castel del Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the numerous watchtowers that dot the southern coast. Then there are the noble palaces, the historic quarters, the squares, symbols of power, site of everyday living.Puglia land of art. The cities and smallest towns hold sumptuous historical buildings, expressions of Renaissance and Baroque art that today house art libraries, museums, and picture galleries.Puglia land of faith and age-old traditions. Basilicas, cathedrals, and sanctuaries are all different artistic manifestations of faith; then there are the feasts of patron saints, local festivals, and suggestive historical re-enactments that renew ancient customs and traditions annually.Puglia cradle of civilization. Remains of ancient civilizations stand witness to the prehistoric and medieval populations in these lands, who left traces that can still be found today in important archaeological parks and leading municipal museums.Puglia land of ancient crafts. In small villages and large cities alike, the work of craftsmen still lives in splendid artistic creations that are made today with the same techniques as ages ago. There are the famous earthenware whistles of Rutigliano, laces of the Gargano, ceramics of Grottaglie, and the objects carved in the Salento of local stone, with wrought iron and papier mâché.
Lighthouse and aqueduct - Santa Maria di Leuca
Montano Tower - Salve
Via Appia columns - Brindisi
Colossus - Barletta
Once scenarios for epic battles with sumptuous courts or defensive ramparts, these evocative monuments are used today as great sets for cultural events
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Today the rich historic, artistic, and cultural legacy of the territory is found in the libraries and art galleries of historic municipal buildings and in new open-air ecomuseums
Basilicas, Cathedrals, and Sanctuaries that challenged time, earthquakes, raids and destruction still stand before us today with their majesty and richness: places of prayer as well as artistic study and interest
Since prehistoric times, numerous traces of the presence of man in Puglia can now be seen and visited in the many Archaeological Parks, in the Amphitheatres, and in underground sites present in the territory
Small villages and picturesque historic districts still bear witness to yesteryear with their sumptuous palaces, squares, and gardens, symbols of the civil and religious standing of a community, of a past rich in history and tradition that are still in use
Many representations of feast days are staged, from solemn religious rites to popular music, from the splendid historic re-enactments to colourful town festivals
Ancients crafts and trades handed down from generation to generation follow traditional methods to give us today the characteristic everyday household objects and beautiful artistic pieces
Romanesque Cathedrals They were always built in front of castles over squares, a center of city economic and social lives. Apulian cathedrals are still charming today with their exclusive style.
Historical Representations Representations of courts, challenges, battles or important events based on historical facts, in the middle of evocative scenarios
Pugliafreindly
Open Cities 2009, Brindisi
Inland and coastal Puglia Salt mines, shipyards, ports
Rupestrian civilisations An itinerary of Puglia
Project created in collaboration with InnovaPuglia.
Regione Puglia
Regione Puglia