Posted by grazia on October 12th, 2009 — in Apulia, Italy
Gallipoli is located in the heel of Italy, in the province of Lecce, on the west coast of the Salento peninsula.
The town is divided into two parts: the historical centre built on an island of limestone and connected to the mainland via an arched bridge and the Borgo, the new part of the city.
In ancient times Gallipoli was a Messapian centre named Anxa. After it occupied by Romans and with their domination it became a very important trading town in the sale of purple dyestuff, produced in the region.
For a long time Gallipoli remained loyal to its old Greek culture by preserving its habits, rites and dialect. The Latin Rite, which had already been established in Salento from medieval times, only replaced the Greek Rite in the XVI century.
After the fall of the Roman empire, Gallipoli was sacked by the Barbarians, the Vandals and even the Goths, who were defeated and driven out by the Byzantines.
The Byzantines were followed by the Suevians and Angionians, whose traces are found in the restoration of the old Byzantine castle later modified into a fortress. Then the castle was fortified during the Spanish occupation. (more…)
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Posted by grazia on August 12th, 2009 — in Apulia, Italy
Salento, also known as the Salento peninsula and as the heel of Italy, is an area located in the southern part of Puglia, between the Ionian Sea to the west and the Adriatic Sea to the east.
Salento is a place rich in history, traditions and natural beauty. The magical atmosphere also made of aromas and flavours remind of a past that has experienced different cultures, from the Greek to the Byzantine culture expressed in the architecture of each little town and suggestive corner of Salento.
The Greek influence is recognisable in the absolute predominance of white houses “lime”, with “no roof”, especially in the countryside and along the coast, while the old towns are characterized by the Spanish Baroque which transforms the external facades of churches and palaces in real sculpted tapestry.
Salento is a land of natural tourism as a few other capable of transmitting the most diverse messages through the style, the myths and the signs of ancient peoples of the Mediterranean Area. But also capable of intriguing with the great works of master stonemasons, of attracting with the colours and landscapes designed by the sun, of making people smile with the flavours of its traditional cuisine. (more…)
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Posted by internetauthor on June 9th, 2009 — in Apulia
Easily one of the most recognizable regions of Italy, Apulia is also one of the less well known. The region Italians refer to as Puglia is a wonderful place to visit, but many travelers fail to extend their trip into this, the boot heel of Italy. If you do make it a point to visit, you will enjoy Roman ruins, terrific castles, ancient villages and authentic relics of a charming way of life. Apulia is also home to one of the largest forests in Italy.
The Beaches of Apulia
Apulia is strewn throughout with sandy beaches and tranquility. With so many quiet beaches to discover, it’s easy to become lost in this land of plenty. Even when the summers bring greater traffic numbers, the vast multitude of beach locations means that there is always a quiet alcove you can slip into to escape the crowds, enjoy a picnic of local fare and simply relax. (more…)
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Posted by grazia on April 24th, 2009 — in Apulia, Italy
Alberobello is located in the heart of the Valle dei Trulli. It was founded in the XV century by the Counts Acquaviva. It is a picturesque tourist and agricultural center formed largely by trulli that offer, in addition to a fairy-tale atmosphere , a remarkable architectural interest recognized in 1996 by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. In Alberobello there are about 1,500 trulli of various types.
The city of the trulli, occupies a land rich in calcareous stratified rocks, which provided the material for the construction of such a peculiar houses.
From the greek “tholos”, the trullo is a building with a circular plant with a dome-shaped cone at its summit.
Here a short itinerary to make sure you see all is worth a visit:
1. You can reach Alberobello by car or by train.
2. When you arrive in Piazza del Popolo, from the belvedere, near the church of Saint Lucia, you can admire the impressive sight of Rione Monti, where tiny streets of trulli climb the hill.
3. Along the staircase that runs alongside the belvedere, you can have a short break in one of the small cafés in Largo Martellotta. A good coffee, a granita with whipped cream, ice cream or a slice of cake will help to tackle the climb. In the small grocery stores you can get a sandwich stuffed at the moment. Try to ask whether there are the famous Panino Pasqualino …. (Michetti or rosette, salami, cheese, tuna and pickles).
4. Start going up along one of the tiny streets: Monte Nero, Monte San Gabriele and Monte San Michele. The most popular and full of small shops is Monte San Gabriele, the most peaceful and beautiful is Monte Nero.
(more…)
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Posted by grazia on March 27th, 2009 — in Apulia
San Giovanni Rotondo is a town of 26,442 inhabitants in the province of Foggia. It is part of the Gargano National Park.
San Giovanni Rotondo was the city of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina.
The Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church was built to honour the Saint in 2004.
The city is also famous for being a hospital and a medical research center among the most important in Southern Italy. The name suggests a peculiar and loving approach to the disease. san-rotondoIt was called Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (Home for the Relief of the Suffering) and was personally founded by the Saint.
A strange little town. The activities of a commercial-tourism have strangely little relevance, and this means that the center of the city is only marginally affected by the great flow of tourists due to the cult of Saint Pio, which is consumed almost exclusively around the area of the Convent.
(more…)
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