The Apulia region is located in southern Italy and is also known as the «boot heel» of mainland Italy. Charlotte has put together for you her 5 top places in Puglia which you should not miss:
1st Alberobello
During our trip through Apulia we discovered a Trulli house from time to time on the wide fields. These white, cone-shaped houses, with roofs that look like pointed caps, were according to legend very popular in the 17th century, since one did not have to pay property tax for this kind of houses. They were simply declared as stone heaps by the owners. When we entered Alberobello, it looked like a normal little town, but when we reached Monti on foot, we looked at settlements full of Trulli houses.
In Alberobello there are still more than 1,000 of these Trulli houses that are still inhabited or used as shops. At the edge of the quarter is the only two-storey Trullo Sovrano. This building now serves as a museum to show tourists how a trullo was equipped at that time. Since the museum was closed during our visit, we were in some shops in the Trullis to get an impression of how the cone-shaped houses look from the inside.
2nd Lecce
The historical centre of Lecce is still completely surrounded by its original city wall and is a single open-air museum. Baroque churches, palaces and a Roman amphitheatre are just some of the highlights. The baroque style in Lecce is a very special one. The buildings are very pompously decorated and a golden yellow limestone from Lecce was used.
3rd Matera
Actually, Matera does not belong to Apulia, but to the region Basilicata, but it is worthwhile to make a small excursion if one is in Apulia. Matera’s old town belongs since 1993 to the world cultural heritage of the UNESCO, because it was built in the antiquity at a gorge. Because of the location, no real houses were built here, but caves, the so-called Sassi di Matera. We approached the old town from Piazza Vittorio Veneto. Next to the Parrucchiere (hairdresser’s) there is a small chapel with a balcony on the right from which you have a beautiful view over the lower part of the old town. The streets of the old town remind us of a labyrinth and there are many small churches with impressive frescos hidden in the caves. Therefore it is recommended to buy a map at the tourist information or in a shop. The old town already served several times as a film set, especially for scenes depicting Bethlehem, among other things the Passion of Christ was shot here.
4th Gallipoli
Gallipoli is located on the western coast of the Salento peninsula. When visiting Gallipoli, one first drives through the new town, Borgo, which does not really seem to be inviting. But at the end of the new city, a bridge leads to the small, baroque old city. The oldtown is characterised by narrow alleys and baroque buildings. The cathedral is a classic example for the baroque of Lecce that is very frequent in this region. In the old town, one should definitely also visit the historical oil mill that was built under the old town houses in the tuff. After the sightseeing, it is worth making a detour to the Lido di San Giovanni to have a siesta on the fine white sandy beach.
5th Ostuni
Ostuni, also called the «White City«, has a slightly higher old town with whitewashed terraced houses. While strolling through the small alleys, one gets the feeling to be in Greece at times, as the white houses partly also have blue shutters. In the distance, one sees the blue sea. In the narrow lanes there are small shops that sell handmade clothes and shoes as well as self-produced food.
If you are interested in a trip through Puglia to Italy, then let yourself be inspired by our versatile Italy trips.
