Top - Alberobello - Fasano - Putignano - Ostuni - Martina Franca, - San Vito dei Normanni - Polignano a mare - Castellana Grotte - Ostuni - Locorotondo - Cisternino
Trulloes and Itria ValleyIn Brindisi province, stones and buildings tell the story of this land. Appia and Traiana roads once connecting the city to Rome left their traces on modern roads. In this city, where Virgil died, there are the remains of two II –century columns that marked the end of Appia road.
The Norman – Swabian and Angevin marks also prevails in the inland area of province and former Messapi land, while it is even more evident in Mesagne, Oria and Ceglie Messàpica castles. In this area, natural landscape is characterized by ravines and caves shaped through centuries by the patient work of rivers. Rock witnesses of basilian monk civilizations can be found near Ostuni. Watch towers north of Brindisi tell the story of pirate and Saracen invasions, while the remains of ancient Egnazia Roman city can be seen in the respective archeological site.
Itria valley is characterized by a flourishing vegetation where olive trees stand, These are cultivated in masserie lands, small typical local stone fortresses. Coasts are marked by long, sandy beaches, dunes and protected natural reserves. There are several traces of old Messapi civilizations, rock settlements, castles and not-to-be-missed trulloes made with drystone techniques
Messapi Land: a proud, extremely loyal civilization, between the IX and VII centuries b.C. the Messapis built several settlements that were fortified with huge walls. Oria, with its characteristic castle, and Mesagne still keep witnesses that allow to reconstruct history, customs and habits of this ancient population
The coast of Brindisi area is characterized by small cities gathering around their historical centers, overlooking white beaches and crystal-clear waters. Brindisi is an example, with its huge castle emerging from the sea; Carovigno, dominated by Torre Guaceto and Ostuni, the white Mediterranean sea surrounded by olive trees and by a wonderful beach that hosts an unforgettable medieval center
The Norman – Swabian and Angevin marks also prevails in the inland area of province and former Messapi land, while it is even more evident in Mesagne, Oria and Ceglie Messàpica castles. In this area, natural landscape is characterized by ravines and caves shaped through centuries by the patient work of rivers. Rock witnesses of basilian monk civilizations can be found near Ostuni. Watch towers north of Brindisi tell the story of pirate and Saracen invasions, while the remains of ancient Egnazia Roman city can be seen in the respective archeological site.
Itria valley is characterized by a flourishing vegetation where olive trees stand, These are cultivated in masserie lands, small typical local stone fortresses. Coasts are marked by long, sandy beaches, dunes and protected natural reserves. There are several traces of old Messapi civilizations, rock settlements, castles and not-to-be-missed trulloes made with drystone techniques
Messapi Land: a proud, extremely loyal civilization, between the IX and VII centuries b.C. the Messapis built several settlements that were fortified with huge walls. Oria, with its characteristic castle, and Mesagne still keep witnesses that allow to reconstruct history, customs and habits of this ancient population
The coast of Brindisi area is characterized by small cities gathering around their historical centers, overlooking white beaches and crystal-clear waters. Brindisi is an example, with its huge castle emerging from the sea; Carovigno, dominated by Torre Guaceto and Ostuni, the white Mediterranean sea surrounded by olive trees and by a wonderful beach that hosts an unforgettable medieval center
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Alberobello (fonte: Visual Puglia ) 
Alberobello stands to the southern part of Bari province, near Castellana Grotte, Locorotondo and Putignano. The town was founded in the 15th century by Acquaviva-D’Aragona, two counts of Conversano, on land that was originally an oak forest. A typical feature of Alberobello are the trulli, white dry-stone houses with conical roofs made of lapidary stones. Inside, the trulli have a square central room communicating with the other rooms of the house via arches. ↑Top
Alberobello stands to the southern part of Bari province, near Castellana Grotte, Locorotondo and Putignano. The town was founded in the 15th century by Acquaviva-D’Aragona, two counts of Conversano, on land that was originally an oak forest. A typical feature of Alberobello are the trulli, white dry-stone houses with conical roofs made of lapidary stones. Inside, the trulli have a square central room communicating with the other rooms of the house via arches. ↑Top
Fasano is South of Monopoli, in the province of Brindisi, a few kilometres from the sea. Its history originated in the destruction of Egnazia and the migration of many inhabitants of coastal towns who, in a desperate effort to escape the pirate raids and find a safer place to live, scrambled up the hills to form hamlets and villages. The first hub of a town, the hamlet of Santa Maria of Fajano, dates back to 1088. The history of the small centre is typical of all Puglian towns, marked by rules, invasions and raids that continued until the end of the 18th century.
Every year, the citizens of Fasano celebrate the victory over the Turks in 1678, preannounced by an apparition of the Madonna that led the citizens’ resistance. ↑Top
Every year, the citizens of Fasano celebrate the victory over the Turks in 1678, preannounced by an apparition of the Madonna that led the citizens’ resistance. ↑Top
Putignano (fonte: Visual Puglia )
Putignano stretches over three hills 375 meters above sea level. It is placed 18 kilometers away from the coast. The city has Peucete origins and was included among papal dominions in Middle Ages. The original elliptic-shaped village was surrounded by walls. Its population was extremely devoted to the Supreme Pontiff. This devotion emerged when Emperor Frederick II was denied access to the city while returning from a battue, even though he had had a castle built for the city. After this regrettable event, the Emperor had that same castle destroyed.The city has been showing a great industriousness in several industries over the centuries: in the agricultural, manufacturing, and commerce sectors, as well as high-quality craftsmanship. Early industries were created during 1800s. These experienced a great development and reached today’s international celebrity especially thanks to its wedding dress industry. Between 1086 and 1358 the city was a feud belonging to Monopoli Benedictine monks; later it was acquired by the Knights of Rhodes and Knights of Malta between 1358 and 1806. On July 26 2000, the small planet no. 7665, between Mars and Jupiter orbits was called Putignano, thanks to an initiative by the manager of the Observatory of Guidonia (Rome) who discovered it in 1994. The manager came from Putignano. ↑Top
Ostuni (fonte: Visual Puglia ) 
An important cultural centre in Salento, Ostuni is also known as the “white city” and is located eight kilometres from the Adriatic coast, in the southern Murgia. The first settlement dates back to the IV – III century B.C. and was established by the Messapi. Destroyed at the end of the Second Punic War, the town was rebuilt by the Romans under which Ostuni flourished. A long period of alternating domination followed the fall of the Roman Empire: the Ostrogoths, Longobards, Normans, Suevians, Angionians and Aragons followed one after another, but none managed to subject the town to feudal rule. After 1800 Ostuni extended its territory by joining the medieval town with its current territory.
Recent archaeological finds confirm human settlements around Ostuni from as early as the Palaeolithic period. In particular, much interest surrounds the well-preserved remains of a woman in labour lying in a large hollow and with a type of hat made out of very small shells. ↑Top
An important cultural centre in Salento, Ostuni is also known as the “white city” and is located eight kilometres from the Adriatic coast, in the southern Murgia. The first settlement dates back to the IV – III century B.C. and was established by the Messapi. Destroyed at the end of the Second Punic War, the town was rebuilt by the Romans under which Ostuni flourished. A long period of alternating domination followed the fall of the Roman Empire: the Ostrogoths, Longobards, Normans, Suevians, Angionians and Aragons followed one after another, but none managed to subject the town to feudal rule. After 1800 Ostuni extended its territory by joining the medieval town with its current territory.
Recent archaeological finds confirm human settlements around Ostuni from as early as the Palaeolithic period. In particular, much interest surrounds the well-preserved remains of a woman in labour lying in a large hollow and with a type of hat made out of very small shells. ↑Top
Martina Franca (fonte: Visual Puglia ) 
Martina Franca, in the province of Taranto, is in the hills east of Murgia, at an equal distance from Jonio and the Adriatic. The town’s origins are fairly recent. The first settlement on the hill was in the 10th century, when refugees escaped from the plundering Saracens at Taranto. Local shepherds and nomads then joined the refugees. For two centuries, Martina Franca was quite likely a military outpost protecting Taranto, at least until 1300 when it was declared a municipality by Philip I of Angiò, a Taranto Prince. The Prince later donated the town to Pietro del Tocco, including a castle, surrounding rural land and several rural settlements.
The town was named in honour of San Martino, who reputedly protected the town on several occasions from Saracen invasions, while the adjective “Franca” was because Philip I of Angiò would offer his people rights and immunity when they paid their taxes. ↑Top
Martina Franca, in the province of Taranto, is in the hills east of Murgia, at an equal distance from Jonio and the Adriatic. The town’s origins are fairly recent. The first settlement on the hill was in the 10th century, when refugees escaped from the plundering Saracens at Taranto. Local shepherds and nomads then joined the refugees. For two centuries, Martina Franca was quite likely a military outpost protecting Taranto, at least until 1300 when it was declared a municipality by Philip I of Angiò, a Taranto Prince. The Prince later donated the town to Pietro del Tocco, including a castle, surrounding rural land and several rural settlements.
The town was named in honour of San Martino, who reputedly protected the town on several occasions from Saracen invasions, while the adjective “Franca” was because Philip I of Angiò would offer his people rights and immunity when they paid their taxes. ↑Top
San Vito dei Normanni (fonte: Visual Puglia ) 
San Vito dei Normanni, a town with a prevalently agricultural economy, is characterised by the large vineyards that alternate to century-old almond and olive groves in a mosaic of land plots outlined and separated by long and low dry-stone walls. Bordered by the municipal territories of Brindisi, Francavilla Fontana and Ostuni, San Vito dei Normanni is told to have been founded toward the end of the X century by the Swabian colony of the Schiavoni, which settled in the territory that was then called “Castri Sancti Viti”. But according to other historians, the place was first settled by the Norman Bohemund of Altavilla, the son of Robert Guiscard, who loved hunting very much and, for this reason, had ordered the construction of a square tower in this place full of woods and game to hunt. The small village grew in the final Middle Ages period when the protection ensured by the Norman tower attracted the inhabitants from the surrounding countryside, who massively transferred to San Vito to be protected from the Turks’ assaults. However, it was only in the year 1400 that the ancient village was organised into a Municipality, bound to feudal slavery and under the King’s protection. Starting from the XV century, the village extended northward and, after the construction of the Church of Saint Mary of the Victory (1571-1595), also eastward. ↑Top
San Vito dei Normanni, a town with a prevalently agricultural economy, is characterised by the large vineyards that alternate to century-old almond and olive groves in a mosaic of land plots outlined and separated by long and low dry-stone walls. Bordered by the municipal territories of Brindisi, Francavilla Fontana and Ostuni, San Vito dei Normanni is told to have been founded toward the end of the X century by the Swabian colony of the Schiavoni, which settled in the territory that was then called “Castri Sancti Viti”. But according to other historians, the place was first settled by the Norman Bohemund of Altavilla, the son of Robert Guiscard, who loved hunting very much and, for this reason, had ordered the construction of a square tower in this place full of woods and game to hunt. The small village grew in the final Middle Ages period when the protection ensured by the Norman tower attracted the inhabitants from the surrounding countryside, who massively transferred to San Vito to be protected from the Turks’ assaults. However, it was only in the year 1400 that the ancient village was organised into a Municipality, bound to feudal slavery and under the King’s protection. Starting from the XV century, the village extended northward and, after the construction of the Church of Saint Mary of the Victory (1571-1595), also eastward. ↑Top
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Polignano a Mare (fonte: Visual Puglia ) 
Polignano a Mare, birth city of the Italian singer Domenico Modugno, is situated approximately thirty kilometres from the main town of Puglia. Polignano a Mare is a town that rises out of the cliff face and, given its strategic position, has always been considered a doorway to the Mediterranean and the East, as well as an important junction and meeting point for a diverse range of cultures. Traces of the Arab, Byzantine, Spanish and Norman populations can be seen in the town planning of Polignano.
These days, the town is characterised by its crystal sea of varied hues, twelve kilometres of coast and numerous caves sculpted into the rocks: for this reason tourists have labelled this town the “Pearl of the Adriatic Sea”. ↑Top
Polignano a Mare, birth city of the Italian singer Domenico Modugno, is situated approximately thirty kilometres from the main town of Puglia. Polignano a Mare is a town that rises out of the cliff face and, given its strategic position, has always been considered a doorway to the Mediterranean and the East, as well as an important junction and meeting point for a diverse range of cultures. Traces of the Arab, Byzantine, Spanish and Norman populations can be seen in the town planning of Polignano.These days, the town is characterised by its crystal sea of varied hues, twelve kilometres of coast and numerous caves sculpted into the rocks: for this reason tourists have labelled this town the “Pearl of the Adriatic Sea”. ↑Top
Castellana Grotte (fonte: 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. ↑Top
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. ↑Top
Locorotondo (fonte: Visual Puglia ) 
This town rises at the junction of three provinces: Bari, Taranto and Brindisi. It is placed in Itria Valley, on a tableland 410 meters above sea level at the South-Eastern side of Murge dei Trulli.
Locorotondo was probably founded by Greek settlers several centuries before Christ. Early sources mentioning a feud named Rotondo dates back from XII Century.
During 1250s, this village gradually grew and became a real hamlet subject to St. Stephen monastery until 1385. During half 1300s, Locorotondo was besieged - along with other hamlets of that same monastery - by Duke of Athens Gualtieri VI di Brienne, known for his short period of lordship on Florence from 1342 to 1343.
From late 1300s through late 1400s, Locorotondo was a property of one of the greatest families of that era, Del Balzo Orsini. During 1500s the town experienced an economic, cultural and demographic turmoil. In 1645 Locorotondo was involved in the economic collapse of Barons Borrassa, who were forced to sell this feud to Dukes Caracciolo di Martina Franca, who kept it until early 1800s. In 1799 Locorotondo participated in the risings following the ratification of Roman (1798) and Neapolitan (1799) Republics. ↑Top
This town rises at the junction of three provinces: Bari, Taranto and Brindisi. It is placed in Itria Valley, on a tableland 410 meters above sea level at the South-Eastern side of Murge dei Trulli.
Locorotondo was probably founded by Greek settlers several centuries before Christ. Early sources mentioning a feud named Rotondo dates back from XII Century.
During 1250s, this village gradually grew and became a real hamlet subject to St. Stephen monastery until 1385. During half 1300s, Locorotondo was besieged - along with other hamlets of that same monastery - by Duke of Athens Gualtieri VI di Brienne, known for his short period of lordship on Florence from 1342 to 1343.
From late 1300s through late 1400s, Locorotondo was a property of one of the greatest families of that era, Del Balzo Orsini. During 1500s the town experienced an economic, cultural and demographic turmoil. In 1645 Locorotondo was involved in the economic collapse of Barons Borrassa, who were forced to sell this feud to Dukes Caracciolo di Martina Franca, who kept it until early 1800s. In 1799 Locorotondo participated in the risings following the ratification of Roman (1798) and Neapolitan (1799) Republics. ↑Top
Itria valley (fonte: Visual Puglia ) 
Itria valley is characterized by a flourishing vegetation where olive trees stand, These are cultivated in masserie lands, small typical local stone fortresses. Coasts are marked by long, sandy beaches, dunes and protected natural reserves. There are several traces of old Messapi civilizations, rock settlements, castles and not-to-be-missed trulloes made with drystone techniques. ↑Top
Itria valley is characterized by a flourishing vegetation where olive trees stand, These are cultivated in masserie lands, small typical local stone fortresses. Coasts are marked by long, sandy beaches, dunes and protected natural reserves. There are several traces of old Messapi civilizations, rock settlements, castles and not-to-be-missed trulloes made with drystone techniques. ↑Top
Cisternino (fonte: Visual Puglia )
The municipal territory of Costernino is south-west oriented over the splendid Itria Valley, known for the considerable presence of trulli, the typical local stone constructions.Inhabited since the Upper Paleolithic, the legend says that the foundation of Cisternino was due to Sturnoi, the companion of Diomedes. After taking part in the Messapic League against Taranto, it became a Roman town and was called Sturninum. It was probably destroyed in 216 b.C. during Hannibal’s raids in Apulia.
The Basilian monks, who came from the East in the VIII century, noted the ruins of the ancient town and referred to it when they later had to localize the Greek rite abbey they had built where the Chiesa Matrice (Matrix Church) lies today, and indicated it as "San Nicolò cis-Sturninum", hence the present name of the town. ↑Top
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