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Alberobello
Alberobello, meaning “beautiful tree”, is the ‘ Capitale dei
Trulli’ and the most beautiful and famous trulli town. It is
situated on two hills, once separated by a riverbed. The area of
Rioni Monti and the Aia Piccola is wholly composed of trulli,
over 1000 in total lined up on the side of seven streets. This
area has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since
1996. A visit to this totally unique town is an absolute must during
your stay in Puglia.
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Martina Franca
Martina Franca is a stunning 18th Century town with a
marvellous showcase of baroque and rococo architecture. It
is known for its strong white wine, which is used in
preparing spumanti and vermouth. It is unlike any other city
in the province and is untouched by tourism. Its plan is
almost circular, surrounded by a long and very panoramic
ring road overlooking the Itria Valley, dotted with trulli.
Martina Franca is home of the world
famous opera and classical music 'Festival della Valle
d'Itria', now in its 32nd year.
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Ostuni
Ostuni is a pre-roman town built on three hills. The
beautiful old town centre is made up of steep medieval
alleys and is circled by ramparts and many hours can be
enjoyed just exploring these gleaming white streets. The
cathedral, in the heart of the old quarter has one of the
most beautiful facades in Puglia. The focus of town life is
the triangular Piazza della Liberta flanked by bars and
restaurants where you can sit outside and watch the world go
by.
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Lecce
Lecce is a clean and spacious town and is to the baroque what
Florence is to the renaissance, often being referred to as the
“Florence of the South”. There are many things to see in Lecce,
of the twenty or so churches in the town, Basilica di Santa
Croce is the most impressive. There are ruins of a Roman
amphitheatre once capable of accommodating 20,000 spectators,
built at the time of Hadrian. To protect its heritage, Lecce’s
old town has been restored and renovated and is now a
pedestrianised zone.
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Castellana Grotte
Possibly the most exciting series of caverns in the whole
of Italy. First discovered in 1938 the caves are a series of
corridors connecting various chambers, rich in stalagmites
and stalactites, in alabaster and other coloured stones. The
caves are 1.5km long with an average depth of 65m. The
Grotta Bianca (the white cave) is considered, by some the
most beautiful cavern in the world because of its brilliant
crystalline formations.
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Matera
Matera is located just over the border of Puglia in Basilicata.
It is famous for its “sassi” cave dwellings and 120 cave
churches, which were dug from the rock in ravines in and around
the town. The “sassi” have been inhabited since prehistoric
times until 1952 when its peasant population were evicted and
re-housed in modern apartments around the new town. The old
caves have now become the latest in “designer homes” and over
700 people now live back in the “sassi”. The best view can be
obtained on the Strada Panoramica, a scenic road specially built
for sightseers. The “sassi” have been declared a World Heritage
Site by UNESCO since 1993.Filming for the Mel Gibson film "The
Passion of the Christ" was done at Matera, and in May/June 2006 scenes for the upcoming Hollywood
movie "Nativity" were also shot in and around the town.
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Massafra
Back in Puglia, Massafra bears striking similarities to Matera.
It is also divided in two by a deep ravine and has many grottos,
cave dwellings and cave churches. A dramatic baroque staircase
leads to the Madonna della Scala, which was built around an
early cave church with a primitive 8th Century crypt.
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Castel del Monte A mighty fortress built around
1240 by Emperor Frederick II and one of the greatest medieval
buildings of Europe. Its plan is octagonal, built around an
octagonal courtyard, flanked by 8 towers which are also
octagonal, with 8 rooms on each floor. It is still not known why
the peculiar mathematical obsession with the number 8 dominates
this structure. The castle is located on a hilltop and can be
seen for miles around. UNESCO declared the castle a World
Heritage Site in 1996.
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Locorotondo Locorotondo is a strikingly
beautiful town designed in a circular plan (hence the meaning of
the name “round place”). It has been referred to as the “balcony
of the Valle d’Itria” as it is set on a hilltop at the heart of
the Murge and affords spectacular views of the Itria Valley. It
is famous for its white wine and a visit to the Cantina del
Locorotondo is certainly recommended. At the centre of the
beautiful old town you will find the church of San Marco della
Greca, a late Gothic building erected by Piero Del Balzo, Prince
of Taranto.
Locorotondo is listed as one of "I
Borghi piu belli d'Italia"..the most beautiful villages in
Italy."
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Cisternino Cisternino is located 400 metres
above sea level between olive groves and pine woodland. The
medieval historical centre is almost of Greek appearance and is
made up of white terraced houses with external staircases. The
heart of the town is the lovely square with its clock tower.
During the summer months and patron saints festivities the main
square becomes alive with festivals, concerts and shows.
Cisternino is listed as one of "I Borghi
piu belli d'Italia"..the most beautiful villages in Italy."
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