Castellana Grotte (source: Visual Puglia )
Castellana stands 290 meters above sea level in Bari province inland, on the edge of a closed karstic hollow. Historical sources testify the presence of a urban settlement known as Castellano back during the X Century. The village was abandoned in 1310, when the population moved to the area where Castellana rises today. The town was donated by Norman Count Goffredo to the Benedictine convent of Conversano, under which civil and religious dominion Castellana remained until 1400s. Acquired by the Orsini family, Castellana was eventually given as a dowry to Giovanni Antonio Orsini’s daughter, who married a member of the Acquaviva family. The city was thus subject to such family until 1806. During XVI Century the city experienced a significant democratic development thanks to the arrival of a constant flow of immigrants. The agrarian transformation started in the XVII Century contributed to the creation of a peasant class, and laid the foundations for an economic development based on land exploitation, with the cultivation of vineyards and olives. The De Bellis family - owner of a textile industry and a wine-producing business – has had a significant role for Castellana economic and cultural life during the last Century.
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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