I Love Visiting Unknown Italy - Western Apulia
Apulia, the heel of the Italian boot is located in southeast Italy on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Over the centuries Apulia was frequently invaded. Its moment of greatest glory was in the Holy Roman Empire of the 13th Century, when majestic Romanesque cathedrals and palaces were built. This article presents the western and usually northern part of Apulia. A companion article presents the rest of the region.
Apulia's administrative center is Bari, the biggest city in southern Italy, with a population of over 325 thousand. It is a major port that includes a modern city center, with its Piazza della Liberta (Freedom Plaza) and a citta vecchia (old town) that is definitely worth seeing. Everywhere you turn you can see the Adriatic Sea. The pedestrian-only street Via Sparano is the site of evening strolls. The nearby Eleventh Century Bascilica di San Nicola is said to contain the remains of St. Nicholas, yes Santa Claus. Legend tells us that local sailors stole his remains from Turkey. In any case, the Bascilica is the only building that survived the sacking of the city by the Normans way back in 1152. Make sure to see the Cattedrale (Cathedral) built shortly afterwards. Nearby is the Castello Svevo presently undergoing restoration. To the northeast is the small port of Trani, once a major Adriatic port. Attractions include two medieval synagogues and several historic churches.
The spur of Italy's boot is Promontorio del Gargano (Gargano Promontory), a very popular tourist destination. Its mountain roads are quite curvy so watch your driving. Near the tip is the whitewashed town of Vieste famous for its castle. Take a ferry from Vieste to the nearby archipelago Isole Tremiti, but remember Tremiti as in tremor. The view is spectacular.
The Foresta Umbra (Shady Forest) encompasses more than sixty thousand acres, hundreds of animal species and two thousand plant species many normally associated with northern climes. Monte Sant'Angelo has been a major pilgrim destination for centuries. You'll want to see the Santuario di San Michele (Sanctuary of San Michele) and the Tomba di Rotari (Tomb of Rotari), a medieval baptistery. Complete your tour of western Apulia at the famous Castel del Monte, a mysterious eight-sided castle built in the Thirteenth Century.
Apulia's classified foods include Clementines, Olives, two Cheeses, and four Olive Oils. See our companion article I Love Touring Italy - Western Apulia for a sample menu and more information on Apulia wines as well as an in-depth examination of western Apulia's tourist attractions. The best-known local wine is Castel del Monte DOC, which is available overseas and is frankly not that great.
About the Author
Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten computer and Internet books, but prefers Italian travel and drinking fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods and people. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. Visit his Italian travel website http://www.travelitalytravel.com which includes an expanded version of this article and lots more.
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