About Puglia
Puglia forms the heel of the Italian boot and is a true food and drink lovers' paradise. Its blue skies, welcoming people, traditions and gently undulating terrain covered in olive groves and vineyards will truly weave a spell around you.
Visit some of its prettiest towns: Ostuni, "the white city" draped across 3 hills with fantastic views of the sea; Martina Franca, with one of the finest old quarters in all Puglia and fantastic views over picturesque countryside dotted with historical trulli; Oria, once the capital of Messapia, is a fortified medieval town located on a hill top and rich in monuments; Lecce, the Italian capital of Baroque architecture; Alberobello a UNESCO world heritage site with hundreds of traditional trulli; Gallipoli, "the pearl of the Ionian sea" with its enchanting historical town centre and minutes from some of the best beaches in Puglia; Otranto, "Byzantine of Salento" with its famous castle and gothic cathedral and miles of untouched coastline, where on a clear day you can catch a glimpse of the snowcapped mountains of the Balkan peninsula.
Salento (the Southern area of Puglia between the two seas) is famous for its picturesque countryside dotted with historical masseria (large stately farm houses), where the air is sweetly scented with wild herbs and flowers, and for its historic megalithic monuments, dolmen and menhir (Greek origins). Discover Salento's many charming towns, authentic jewels of renaissance times, rich in cultural events and festivals.
Puglia has such a rich cultural history. In the 8th Century BC the Greeks came and founded a number of settlements. Taras (Taranto) was the most important city, settled by Spartan exiles. In 272 BC they were defeated by the Romans who 100 years later, in 190 BC built the famous "Via Appia" the road from Rome to the port of Brindisi, of which remains still can be seen today. During the middle ages Lombards (Germanic people), Byzantines (medieval Greeks), Saracens (Arabs), Normans (who left their fine Romanesque churches) and Swabians (Germanic people who left forifications and castles eg. Castel del Monte) came one after the other. During the renaissance, the Spanish, brought bold baroque architecture (Lecce), but were eventually succeeded by Napoleonic France. Finally in 1861 the region was annexed to the Italian state. They came from far and wide, all attracted to Puglia's coastline, fine olive groves, vines, pastures, fish and fruit.
Puglia is serviced by two airports at Bari and Brindisi, both of which have low cost national and international flights. Wherever you choose to buy your property in Puglia you will never be further than just over 1 hour from these airports (or 35 minutes from the sea!).
Puglia offers you a perfect destination for relaxation and experiencing the true Mediterranean lifestyle.
About towns in Puglia
CEGLIE MESSAPICA
CEGLIE MESSAPICA is one of the most ancient centres in Puglia (possibly originating over 15 centuries before Christ), and has fascinating remains in the museum of Taranto. Ceglie itself has a population of 21,000, is rich in monuments, and surrounded by a picturesque countryside with winding lanes and gentle hills containing olive groves.
FASANO
The town of FASANO originated in the 11th Century, although there is evidence to suggest that the area was also inhabited during the bronze age. To the west of Fasano is the "Selva di Fasano" - picturesque forested hills dotted with trulli and other countryside homes with spectacular panoramic views over the city and countryside. The name Fasano probably originated from "Faso" a large wild dove, that would have bathed in the "foggie", a sort of marsh created by the water from the hills, and where today the town hall is now built. Fasano has 40,000 inhabitants, two museums dedicated to archaeology and the production of olive oil and two theatres. There are a number of festivals (music, cultural, craft, religious processions) throughout the year. Principal economies are agriculture and crafts, and tourism is also in significant growth.
FRANCAVILLA FONTANA
FRANCAVILLA FONTANA is a commercial and historical town with almost 37,000 inhabitants. It has pretty "centro storico" (old town), a castle, and a number of churches, palazzi and medieval "porte" - the original entrances to the walled area of the town. The name Francavilla Fontana originates from the words "Franca" (tax-free), "villa" (town) and "Fontana" related to a vision of the Virgin Mary in a lake witnessed by a 14th century prince hunting in the area, who hence declared it a tax-free haven. At Easter time there is a dramatic costumed procession, in September a medieval costumed procession "Il Corteo" (celebrating medieval times in Francavilla Fontana), and at Christmas a live " "Nativity Village" open to visitors who can sample ancient traditional foods. Every Saturday there is a very large open market.
MARTINA FRANCA
MARTINA FRANCA has one of the finest old quarters in Puglia. It was founded in the 10th century, although it only really started to flourish in the 14th century when Philip of Anjou granted it tax exemptions (hence the name "Franca" meaning tax-free) and it became so wealthy it acquired a castle and defensive walls. Today the town is as comfortable as its historic counterpart and also a prosperous wine-producing centre. Located on a hill, Martina Franca has fantastic views over picturesque countryside dotted with historical trulli. Its main sights are the city gates, the town squares, the 17th century Palazzo Ducale and the 18th century Basilica di San Martino. Martina Franca's most important festival is the "Festival della Valle D'Itria", an annual music festival held late July to early August. The town has a population of almost 50,000 and a number of fine restaurants.
ORIA
ORIA is a very pretty fortified medieval town located on a hill top, with charming narrow chianche paved streets in the old town. Originating over 8 centuries before Christ, Oria has a fascinating and dramatic history. Current day Oria has a population of 15,500, is rich in monuments from medieval times including a cathedral, a castle, town gates and numerous churches. Its most famous festival falls every year in August - "Torneo dei Rioni" a graceful medieval costumed tournament.
OSTUNI
OSTUNI, often referred to as "La Città Bianca" ("The White City"), is an architectural gem and one of the most sort-after locations in Puglia. Draped across 3 hills, it boasts stunning sea views and is located just 8km from pristine beaches. The "centro storico" ("old town") is a medieval citadel built on the top of a hill and still fortified with the ancient walls characterised by white painted buildings and a warren of narrow stone paved streets built around a majestic 15 th Century Cathedral. It's most famous festival is held in August, celebrating the town's patron saint "Sant Oronzo", a lavish event with a procession of horsemen in elaborate red-and-white uniforms. Ostuni has a number of stylish bars, excellent restaurants, and a stroll up in the "centro storico" makes it one of our top recommendations for a pleasant evening out.
SAN VITO DEI NORMANNI
SAN VITO DEI NORMANNI is an historical town with 20,000 inhabitants, just 9km from the Adriatic coast where there is a nature reserve. San Vito's origins date back to the end of the 10th Century, and possibly earlier, when a Slavic community settled here. The town has many historical churches and grottos, and there are a number of festivals celebrated here year round. Agriculture is the town's main industry. Its attractively priced property, pretty countryside with vineyards and olive groves, and its proximity to Brindisi airport, Ostuni and the sea make it a highly attractive location for property buyers.
