Bitonto (source: Visual Puglia )
Bitonto is about ten kilometers away from Bari. In the past, the city had access to the sea in the area where Bari quarter Santo Spirito can be found today. Bitonto probably owes its name to Illyrian king Bottone, founder of the city.
The first city walls were erected in V-IV Century b.C., as found in wall foundations and Norman towers. After a period of decay during Byzantine era, the city experienced a rebirth during the XI Century. During the XIII and XIV Centuries, Bitonto was an ancient royal dominion city depending on the kingdom. During 1400s, several families were alternately in and out of power: Ventimiglia, Orsini, Acquaviva d'Aragona and Cordoba (heirs of the Great Spanish captain who conquered Southern Italy in 1503). On May 25 1734 a memorable battle between the Austrian and the Spanish took place at the feet of Bitonto walls. By winning that battle, Charles III Bourbon declared the end of Austrian domination in Southern Italy and the beginning of Bourbon dominion.
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Murge are composed of rectangular-shaped calcareous tableland marked by the Ofanto river, the 'Messapi threshold', Basilicata and Adriatic Sea. Murge territory is partially protected through the homonymous park. It encloses an astonishing variety of landscapes: caves, sanctuaries, defensive strongholds, churches and rock settlements, small towns and big cities. Coastal cities such as Bari, Mola, Polignano offer tourists a right mix of limpid waters, beautiful beaches and an extremely wide historic as well as artistic panorama. On the contrary, in the northern part of the region Andria and Altamura attract tourists with their history and rich food heritage.
The Adriatic Coast of Bari territory is characterized by several cities overlooking the coast with their medieval centers. Apulian capital stands ashore with its Castle, close to smaller cities which allow spending beautiful, relaxing vacations at close touch with history
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Northern Murge are characterized by evocative Medieval towns, small fortified villages where that defended populations during invasions. Andria is famous for Castel del Monte, with its classical octagonal layout, built by Frederick II as hunting manor. Altamura makes a bread that puts together the fragrance of wheat and color of the Apulian sun
Project created in collaboration with InnovaPuglia.
Regione Puglia
Regione Puglia