uide Turistiche e Crocieristiche Puglia
 

  ITINERARIES
  UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE 1996

Castel del Monte (Ba)
A unique masterpiece of medieval military architecture, a successful blend of classical antiquity, Muslim East, and North Europe Cistercian Gothic. The mathematical proportion, number 8, the mystery and the myth of the great emperor Frederick II of Hohenstaufen.

The Trulli of Alberobello (Ba)
The fairy town of Trulli. Limestone dwellings, remarkable examples of drywall constructions. They feature pyramidal, domed or conical roofs built up of corbelled limestone slabs. Alberobello is of outstanding value being exceptional the technique deriving from prehistoric construction, survived in the modern world.
  APULIAN ROMANESQUE STYLE
Bari and the Basilica of St. Nicholas
Bari faces the Mediterranean Sea and holds wide religious significance throughout Europe and the Christian world. The Basilica houses the relics of the most adored Saint in the world: Santa Klaus. It is an important pilgrimage destination both for Catholic and Orthodox Christians from Eastern Europe. The Basilica in Romanesque-Apulian architectural style set a precedent which was later imitated all over Apulia. A nice stroll throughout the medieval old town leads to the imposing Norman-Swabian-Aragonese castle residence of the greatest emperors and governors.
Trani and the Cathedral of St Nicholas The Pilgrim 1099
The city of Turenum appears for the first time in Tabula Pentingeriana. The 11th century was the most flourishing age, the port, the Crusades, the Norman Swabian Castle, the Episcopal siege, the Jewish community with the Synagogue of Santa Maria Scolanova are witnesses of a glorious past. Since 1099 the Romanesque Cathedral housed the mortal remains of St Nicholas the Pilgrim, a young Greek died in Trani and immediately canonized by Pope Urban II. The visitor will be fascinated by the unbelievable Duomo which seems to be built to sail the sea.
A nice walk throughout the Romanesque Apulian Cathedrals
The Romanesque highlights show the Norman architecture remarkable influenced by Frederick II. Starting from the findings of the cathedral in Ruvo, XIII century, we are fascinated by the hypogean site where Peucetian and Roman tombs, the Paleochristian Basilica are found. Palazzo Jatta houses the Archaeological Museum. Where it is worthwhile to admire some of the best known artworks by Apulian and Greek ceramic artists and painters, Daunian jars and black and coloured vases, an Attic vase with red figures by Talos, which dates back to the 5th Century BC. Keep on our tour arrive in Bitonto and on its impressive cathedral façade a pelican acting the role of the generosity in the Christian church. Through the main door , called “Della Scomunica“, Pope Gregory IX excommunicated the great Emperor Frederick II. Few kilometres away meet Andria whose Cathedral houses the tombs of Yolanda from Brienne and Elisabeth from England, both of them married with Frederick II. At the end a gorgeous meeting … at Sweet Museum. Sweetmeats, it is worth a taste !!!
  ROMANESQUE AND GOTHIC ARTCHITECTURE
Barletta, the Cathedral, Eraclio, and the Cantina della Disfida
The tour starts from the imposing Norman –Swabian - Aragonese castle passing under the famous bell tower and get to the Cantina della Disfida where Guy De La Motte, a french knight, challenged the Spaniards by means of Ettore Fieramosca. Keeping on the way the Baroque Palazzo della Marra which houses a permanent exhibition of the painter G. De Nittis. Turning around the Colosso a 4th century bronze statue more than 5 metres high overlooks the square. An elegant strip leads to the Romanesque – Gothic Cathedral devoted to Santa Maria Maggiore. Under the basement two previous Cathedral dated back to VI and X century can be visited.
Altamura, the Cathedral, the Megalithic walls, the Dinosaurs footprints and the Prehistoric Man
Altamura keeps many monuments to be visited. Megalithic walls , a necropolis, Bronze Age findings, footprints of dinosaurs, the prehistoric man nicknamed Ciccillo, the Pulo, a karsts dolina and its Dop bread. Altamura was well known as Alter Ilium, Frederick II built an imposing Romanesque – gothic Cathedral which was considered by the Pope as one of the four Palatine Churches in Apulia amongst Acquaviva, Bari, Monte S. Angelo. It is worth to taste the famous bread!
  FOLKLORE AND ART
Putignano: the allegorical carts and Farinella a popular mask 
The longest Carnival, the rite of layers, allegorical carts, papier-mâché workshops interesting topics in a " Nullius " city depending on the Pope. The knights of Malta had their feud and the Palazzo del Balì shows the history. Its foundation dates back to the 4th. In the old town the church of Saint Peter Apostle looks onto the main square. The Baroque church of Saint Maria dei Greci preserves Saint Stephen shrine shaped as a head of a crusader. The Church of Saint Domenico with its 17th century bell tower was the jail of Wolfgang Goethe’s Italian teacher: Domenico Giovinazzi. In the outskirts the karst system shows an interesting cave called Trullo.
A suggestive memory leaves the hypogean Sanctuary of St. Michael which keeps a statue of the Archangel made by the famous artist Stefano da Putignano.
  THE WORSHIP
Monte Sant'Angelo and San Giovanni Rotondo represent the religiousness in Apulia 
Since Frederick II times these two worship towns showed an extraordinary mystical tradition. In 490 B.C. the first apparition of the archangel in the cave of St. Michael. The visit is an experience of great suggestion. From the past to the XX century we meet Padre Pio from Pietralcina. His faith and love lead the believers all over the world to gather together in prayer in the Sanctuary of San Giovanni Rotondo. Love and joy will fill your mind and soul visiting his grave.