Puglia
Art, History & Archaeology Sites & Museums

Built in 1887, the monumental entrance to the city of Alberobello’s cemetery was inspired by funerary architecture of ancient Egypt. What you see today, however, is only a portion of what was planned. Lack of funds prevented the ambitious project being completed. The entrance hall with its 12 columns, the capitals given a typical ancient look of lotus flowers, are flanked by two chapels. Various architectural features are highly decorated with ancient Egyptian iconography.

Egnazia is a large, multi-period site that has evidence of continuous human occupation from the Bronze Age to the early Christian era in Medieval times. Although known about for its extraordinary archaeology since the mid 16th century, it was systematically excavated during the 20th century. As a result of this work, many features of the various periods of habitation have been left exposed, and an excellent, well signposted trail set up for visitors to easily understand this amazing site.

Castel del Monte, or ‘Castle of the Mountain’, with its wall of 25 metres high was once part of a more elaborate citadel built by Emperor Frederick II in the mid 13th century. That curtain wall has not survived and all that remains is an octagonal castle 56 metres in diameter, with eight octagonal towers. Often described as one of Frederick’s more fascinating castles – with a unique blend of Classical and Islamic features, it was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1996 and appears on the Italian one-cent euro coin.

This Bronze Age dolmen was first discovered by archaeologists in 1909, and excavated the following year. Although much of the earth that once covered the standing stones had long since disappeared from the dolmen, archaeologists did find a rich archaeological deposit. Besides remains of ceramic vessels, stone knives and animal bones, the remains of at least 6 individuals had been scattered about within the burial chamber. Two humans were found in a foetal position.

Various documents suggest that he church was founded in the 12th century. But the Romanesque sculptural elements for which the church is well known, are thought to have been added in the following century. The church has been associated with the Templars, thought to have been built inside their hospital, despite well established evidence that the Templars were in Trani, there is no evidence that they built this church. The church was, however, a place of blessing for Crusaders departing Trani for the Holy Land.

Built on the end of a spur of land formed by a u-bend in the ravine for which Ginosa is well known, this 11th century Norman castle still commands a prominent position. The castle was built in 1080 by Robert Guiscard, from Normandy, who played a significant role in the Norman conquest of southern Italy. The strategic location ensured the town was protected against Saracens raids. Many of the Norman features have been removed during subsequent renovations. The drawbridge was replaced by an arched bridge linking the castle to the historical part of town.

Just outside the small town of Montalbano, this Neolithic dolmen is also known as ‘Tavola dei Paladini’ – or the table of champions. Like megalithic monuments elsewhere in Europe, dolmens in Puglia are also associated with local folklore traditions. In this case, having been made by giants in a challenge to see who could lift the biggest stone. Despite suffering damage at some point in the recent past, this particular dolmen is a good example of funerary structures built around 5,000 years ago.

The imposing castle in the historic centre of the town was built for defence by Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, on his return from the Fourth Crusade to the Holy Land. It is typical of his style: a roughly quadrangular structure, impressive curtain walls surrounding an inner inner courtyard and imposing corner towers. Despite alterations of the following centuries, as Puglia changed hands, the interior is well preserved and includes the throne room. Today the castle houses a National Archaeological Museum; entry to both the castle and the museum only requires one ticket.

Built on the remains of an earlier Christian church and a Roman house, the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Annunziata was founded by a Norman Bishop in 1068, and consecrated in 1088. At over 1,000 years old there are a number of fascinating features to see, in particular the 12th century mosaic, which covers the entire floor of the nave and apse, and the relics of Martyrs of Otranto. Fragmentary frescoes have survived in the crypt, in which many of the supporting columns make use of Greek and Roman columns.

Trulli are buildings with a cone shaped roof that are built using local limestone rock without the aid of any mortar. They are particularly common in the Itria Valley of Puglia, but it is the town of Alberobello with its streets of trulli that was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1996. In this area they can also be seen in a more rural setting, either singly or in groups of as many as five. Walk around the town and admire the different examples, the symbols on the roofs, or even stay the night in one.