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Places to see in ( Bari - Italy )
Places to see in ( Bari - Italy )
Bari is a port city on the Adriatic Sea, and the capital of southern Italy’s Puglia region. Its mazelike old town, Barivecchia, occupies a headland between 2 harbors. Surrounded by narrow streets, the 11th-century Basilica di San Nicola, a key pilgrimage site, holds some of St. Nicholas’ remains. To the south, the Murat quarter has stately 19th-century architecture, a promenade and pedestrianized shopping areas.
If Lecce is the south’s Florence, Bari is its Bologna, a historic but forward-looking town with a high percentage of young people and migrants lending it vigour. More urban than Lecce and Brindisi, with grander boulevards and better nightlife, Bari supports a large university, an opera house and municipal buildings that shout confidence.
Most travellers skip Bari on their way to Puglia’s big-hitter, Lecce (the towns have a long-standing rivalry, especially over soccer), but Bari doesn’t lack history or culture. The old town contains the bones of St Nicholas (aka Santa Claus) in its Basilica di San Nicola, along with a butch castle and plenty of unfussy trattorias that have the local nosh – cucina barese – down to a simple art. The second-largest town in southern Italy, Bari is a busy port with connections to Greece, Albania and Croatia, and sports an international airport with connections to much of Europe.
Bari is the largest and most important city of Apulia and stands on the Adriatic coast. It's mostly famous for being one of the exit doors of Italy, where travellers leave on ferries for neighboring countries. The city authorities, however, have been trying to raise its tourism profile and awareness of Bari's old town, which has retained its ancient Medieval plan and contains many historic buildings and sites. The old town was the heart of pre-Roman and Roman Bari and it is now possible to find several hip bars and restaurants open from dusk til dawn in this once dark and unsafe zone.
The ancient part of the city, called Bari Vecchia by locals, literally Old Bari, is a beautiful mediaeval neighborhood you should not miss. Take a stroll and get lost in the maze of Bari Vecchia and try not to miss the romanic Basilica of Saint Nicholas with its gold ceiling, its crypt and the magnificent cathedra of Bishop Elias. In the same square, also the Palazzo del Catapano and the Church of Saint Gregory are worth a visit. Even older (but later refurbished in baroque style) and equally interesting is the romanic Cathedral of Saint Sabino. Take a walk along the waterfront, on the top of the old city wallsand pass by the Fortino of Saint Antony, an old fort recently turned into a modern art gallery, and the former Monastery of Saint Scolastica (currently part of the University). The vast majority of the churches in Bari Vecchia are unfortunately closed to tourists. They are open on selected festivities, including Good Friday and the Solemnity of All Saints.
A a small town 20 minutes out of Bari named Adelfia is worth a visit on patron's day. The patron saint of one of its quarters, Montrone, is Saint Trifone. Nov 9 is the start of a three day celebration. In the early evening of Nov 9, a giant beautiful balloon is released which signifies the start of the festival. On the 10th, the statue of San Trifone is brought out of the church and paraded around the town. Bands from all over Italy come and perform on the outdoor stage. Fireworks are displayed throughout the evening to the early morning. The different men's club compete on which club can have the biggest, loudest and spectacular display. Vendors surround the town with goods, food and gifts.
The Saint of the city is Saint Nicholas and is celebrated by the Catholic Church on December 6. In Bari, several masses gather early in the morning (as early as 4am) on December 6. A huge crowd and lots of fast food stands fill the old town through the night. However, the city's main celebration of Saint Nicholas takes place from May 6 to May 8 with historical reconstructions, popular music and a two-day fireworks contest. Pilgrims come from all over the world.
Nice towns to discover around Bari are Matera, Gravina, Martina Franca and Alberobello. Trani (with a truly impressive Cathedral), Molfetta, Giovinazzo and Polignano a Mare are closer to Bari and also worth a visit. There are many direct trains a day. Ticket to Matera or Alberobello is about €4 in one direction.
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Places to see in ( Monopoli - Italy )
Places to see in ( Monopoli - Italy )
Monopoli is a town and municipality in Italy, in the province of Bari and region of Apulia. The town is roughly 156 square kilometres in area and lies on the Adriatic Sea about 40 kilometres southeast of Bari. It has a population of 49.246 (2014) and is important mostly as an agricultural, industrial and tourist centre.
Located in the south-eastern corner of its province, near the borders with the one of Brindisi, and by the Adriatic Coast, Monopoli borders with the municipalities of Alberobello, Castellana Grotte, Fasano (BR) and Polignano a Mare. The town is 15 km from Fasano, 33 from Martina Franca, 44 from Bari, 64 from Taranto and 75 from Brindisi.
The territory outside the walled city counts 99 hamlets (frazioni) and localities named contrade. Some of them, which merged with the urbanized area of the town, were suppressed and became outer wards. The others are mostly rural localities, mainly composed by some scattered farmhouses.
The 99 contrade are: Antonelli, Aratico, Arenazza, Assunta, aione, Balice, Barcato, Bellocchio, Belvedere, Cacaveccia, Capitolo, Cardillo, Carmanna, Carluccio, Carrassa, Casale, Cavallerizza, Cervarulo, Chianchizza, Chiesa dei Morti, Ciminiera, Ciporelli, Conchia, Corvino, Cozzana, Cristo Cozzana, Cristo delle Zolle, Cristo Re, Due Torri, Gorgofreddo, Gravina, Grotta dell'Acqua, Guadiano, Guidano, Impalata, Laghezza, Lama di Macina, Lamalunga, Lamammolilla, Lamantia, Lamarossa, Lamascrasciola, Losciale, Macchia di Casa, Macchia di Monte, Mazzone, Monte Scopa, Moredifame, Mozzo, Nispole, Padresergio, Pagliericci, Pantano (inurbata), Parco di Tuccio, Paretano, Passarello, Passionisti (inurbata), Peroscia, Petrarolo, Piangevino, Pilone, Romanelli, Samato, Sant' Andrea, Sant' Antonio d'Ascula, San Bartolomeo, San Francesco da Paola, San Gerardo, San Luca, San Lucia, San Nicola, Sant' Oceano, Sant' Oronzo, Santo Stefano, Santa Teresa, San Vincenzo, Scarciglia, Sicarico, Sorba, Spina, Stomazzelli, Tavanello, Terranova, Tormento, Torichiano, Torre d'Orta, Torricella, Tortorella, Vagone, Virbo, Zampogna, Zecca and Zingarello.
Alot to see in Monopoli such as :
Castle of Charles V. Finished in 1525, it has a pentagonal plan. It is located on a promontory which was originally separated from the medieval city. It was restored and enlarged in the 17th century. Starting from the early 19th century, it was used as a jail, a status it kept until 1969. It is currently the seat of art exhibition and cultural events.
Coastal castle of St. Stephen, built by the Norman lord Godfrey of Conversano in 1086. It was subsequently turned into a Benedictine monastery.
Jerusalem Hospital, founded in 1350 by the Hospitaller
Monopoli Cathedral -18th century, minor basilica
Palazzo Palmieri (18th century)
Monte San Nicola (Mount St.Nicholas) faunal reserve. The reserve, lying on the summit of hill, 290 metres (950 ft) high in the Murge plateau, is important for the presence of some endemic plants.
The area was first settled in about 500 BC as a fortified Messapian city. In order to improve communication with the East, between the years 108 and 110 AD, the Emperor Trajan ordered the construction of a Via Publica which was named after him. Monopoli is the city in Apulia that has the longest stretch of the Via Traiana. This is one of the most important Roman roads of the Empire. In 2012 the city of Monopoli created an archeological park around the remains of this ancient road. The difference between this new road and the Appian Way was the shorter distance between Benevento and Brindisi.
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Off-Season Adventures in Puglia, Italy
Travel Contributor Sarah McClure shows us the local sights in Puglia, Italy.
Best places to visit
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Places to see in ( Altamura - Italy )
Places to see in ( Altamura - Italy )
Altamura is a city and comune of Apulia, in southern Italy. It is located on one of a hill of the Murge plateau in the province of Bari, 45 kilometres southwest of Bari, close to the border with Basilicata. As of 2016, its population was 70,562. The city is known for its particular quality of bread called Pane di Altamura, which is sold in numerous other Italian cities. The 130,000-year-old calcified Altamura Man was discovered in the nearby limestone cave called grotta di Lamalunga.
The area of modern Altamura was densely inhabited in the Bronze Age (La Croce settlement and necropolis). The region contains some fifty tumuli. Between the 6th and the 3rd century BC a massive line of megalithic walls was erected, traces of which are still visible in some areas of the city. A couple of centuries after Altamura was looted by the Saracens, it started to be inhabited again as emperor Frederick II refounded the city (1232) and ordered the construction of the large Altamura Cathedral, which became one of the most venerated sanctuaries in Apulia. In 1248, under pressure from Frederick, Pope Innocent IV declared Altamura exempt from the jurisdiction of the bishop of Bari, making it a palatine church, that is the equivalent of a palace chapel.
The city is located in the south-west area of the Province of Bari, near the borders with the Province of Matera, in Basilicata. The bordering municipalities are Bitonto, Cassano delle Murge, Gravina in Puglia, Grumo Appula, Matera, Ruvo di Puglia, Santeramo in Colle and Toritto. Some 12,660 hectares (31,300 acres) of the communal territory are included in the Alta Murgia National Park.
Altamura's main landmark is the Romanesque cathedral, begun in 1232 by Frederick II and restored in 1330 and 1521–47. It is one of the four Palatine churches of Apulia,[10] the others being the cathedral of Acquaviva delle Fonti, the Basilica of San Nicola in Bari and the church of Monte Sant'Angelo sul Gargano. The construction is influenced by that of Bari, but also with strong Gothic influences typical of the time of Frederick II. The orientation of the construction was probably changed during the 14th century restoration, to which also belongs the northern portal opening on the square; a second bell tower, the altar area and the sacristy are instead from the 16th century.
Externally, the main features are the rose window, with 15 small columns radially intermingling, and the Gothic portal, set into the entrance portico standing on two stone lions. On the arch of portals are sculpted 22 panels with scenes from Jesus' life. The interior, with a nave and two aisles, has stone presepe by Altobello Persio (1587). The medieval walls, erected by Frederick II, rest upon the megalithic walls of an ancient city of unknown name. These early walls are of rough blocks of stone without mortar.
Ancient tombs with fragments of vases and terracottas have also been found, of which there is a collection at the Museo Archeologico Statale di Altamura. There are caves which have been used as primitive tombs or dwellings, and a group of some fifty tumuli near Altamura. Some thirty thousand dinosaur footprints were recently discovered in Altamura's territory contrada Pontrelli, making it a major site for the study of dinosaurs.
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Italy, Apulia ~ Undiscovered Italy
Join us in Italy’s southern region of Apulia, where views of the sparkling Adriatic Sea vie with picture-perfect towns for your attention. Spend seven nights in seaside Polignano a Mare, and venture out each day to discover the unique character of this region. Marvel at Alberobello’s trulli, conical-roofed limestone homes built without mortar; Sassi, ancient cave dwellings in Matera, a 2019 European Capital of Culture; the white hill town of Ostuni; and the baroque city of Lecce. Contrast the seaside lifestyle of Bari and Trani with the inland at a winery and a family-owned olive mill. An exclusive lecture series complements your excursions. Plus, enjoy ample free time to stroll down romantic cobblestone alleys, drink in soul-stirring views of a brilliant blue sea and revel in the slower pace of life in this heart-warming region. This small-group journey features first-class accommodations and an extensive meal plan with wine at dinner. There is no supplement for solo travelers. We hope you join us! Please visit our website for more information.
Andria - Piccola Grande Italia
E' uno dei capoluoghi della provincia pugliese di Barletta-Andria-Trani, ha più di novantanovemila abitanti. Sorge ai margini occidentali della Terra di Bari, alla destra dell'Ofanto, a pochi chilometri dal mare, a nord dell'Alta Murgia. Fa parte del Parco dell'Alta Murgia.
Gubbio - Piccola Grande Italia
Città dell'Umbria, in provincia di Perugia, con circa trentatremila abitanti. Sorge nella valle del torrente Camignano, nella Serra di Burano, alle falde del monte Ingino. Il territorio comunale confina con quello di Perugia.
Matera Italy , italia , the south of Italy
The area of what is now Matera has been settled since the Palaeolithic. The city was allegedly founded by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, with the name of Matheola after the consul Lucius Caecilius Metellus. In AD 664 Matera was conquered by the Lombards and became part of the Duchy of Benevento. In the 7th and 8th centuries the nearby grottos were colonized by both Benedictine and Greek-Orthodox monastic institutions. The 9th and 10th centuries were characterized by the struggle between Saracens, Byzantines and the German emperors, including Louis II, who destroyed the city. After the settlement of the Normans in Apulia, Matera was ruled by William Iron-Arm from 1043. After a short communal phase and a series of pestilences and earthquakes, the city in the fifteenth century became an Aragonese possession, and was given in fief to the barons of the Tramontano family. In 1514, however, the population rebelled against the oppression and killed Count Giovanni Carlo Tramontano. In the seventeenth century Matera was handed over to the Orsini and then became part of the Terre d'Otranto di Puglia. Later it was capital of Basilicata, a position it retained until 1806, when Joseph Bonaparte reassigned it to Potenza. In 1927 it became capital of the Matera province. On September 21, 1943, the Materani rose against the German occupation, the first Italian city to fight against the Wehrmacht.Matera has gained international fame for its ancient town, the Sassi di Matera (meaning stones of Matera). The Sassi originate from a prehistoric (troglodyte) settlement, and are suspected to be some of the first human settlements in Italy. The Sassi are houses dug into the calcareous rock itself, which is characteristic of Basilicata and Apulia. Many of these houses are really only caverns, and the streets in some parts of the Sassi often are located on the rooftops of other houses. The ancient town grew in height on one slope of the ravine created by a river that is now a small stream. The ravine is known locally as la Gravina. In the 1950s, the government of Italy forcefully relocated most of the population of the Sassi to areas of the developing modern city. However, people continued to live in the Sassi