Puglia
Puglia | Apulia
In a country that never fails to excel and impress, it is possible to discover exciting corners where the magic still happens. Deep down in Italy’s “heel”, this fascinating stretch of land is, quite simply, the place to be. Revealing a stunning combination of pretty much anything the Belpaese is so cherished for, you will see ancient towns steeped in history, a stunningly preserved artistic heritage, a dramatic coastline with pristine beaches and turquoise waters, seasoned with landscapes that stretch well beyond the horizon. And of course the most genuine, exquisite food, one you’d only expect a proper nonna to prepare. From the Maldives of the Mediterranean, Pescoluse, to colourful villages basking in the sun, Puglia is a jigsaw of marvels that exceed expectations.
A stretch of land surrounded by the sea that was subject to invasions from all fronts: this is Puglia. Hence a mosaic of diverse, unique and highly original styles, attitudes and traditions that are blatant in the food varieties, the local language – more akin to Greek than Italian – and
the architecture. Everywhere is a surprise: Lecce dates back to Roman times, yet it was mostly built by Spanish rulers in the mid 17thc.; here you will find fanciful Baroque churches alongside a 2ndc. AD Roman theatre, right in the town centre, while Pietra leccese dons a warming glow at night when the lights come on. Pretty Cisternino hosts a 13thc. church and its rows of blinding white houses make a gorgeous backdrop for a lovely centro storico. Ostuni is indeed the white city, its staggeringly beautiful 15thc cathedral stuns for its articulated rose window and unusual façade, a blend of Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic influences. Puglia Romanesque churches are, in fact, mesmerizing: from Trani to Bari, Otranto to Bitonto, there is a maze of sensational works that stood the test of time and will beguile you.
And it’s the Salento county you’ll want to head to, to find out what is probably the most authentic soul of an extraordinary region. From Valle d’Itria, awash with olive trees, to Lecce, the Florence of the South thriving with its very own Barocco leccese and the stone “embroideries”, to UNESCO World Heritage Alberobello, the capital of mysterious trulli. Locorotondo is among Italy’s prettiest borghi, the sensational Gothic cathedral in Galatina dazzles for its vivid colours, while Martina Franca, once a walled city, is famous for its local barocchetto and the splendid Palazzo Ducale: white features everywhere, reflecting the splendid light that dons a painterly hue on every dwelling. Lu Salentu is, in fact, a region within a region: lu sule, lu mare, lu jentu come to the fore in what is a “mysterious poetry that speaks an oriental language.”