Matera, European Capital of Culture 2019
An entire city carved into the rock, along the slopes of a deep gorge called the "gravina," Matera is an exceptional testament to a civilization that lived in underground dwellings, maintaining a harmonious relationship with its natural environment. A city unique in the world, Matera was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993. It has also been the setting for significant film productions, from Pasolini to Mel Gibson, who filmed scenes for one of his most important films, The Passion of the Christ, in the winding "Sassi" (the ancient stone dwellings).
The Itria Valley
The Itria Valley is a stretch of land named after the Madonna Odegitria, "she who shows the way." The valley is dominated by Martina Franca, known for its baroque-style historic center and also for the important symphonic opera festival, the "Festival della Valle d'Itria," which attracts thousands of music lovers every summer. From the viewpoint of Martina Franca, you can see Locorotondo, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, famous for the circular layout of its historic center and the houses with unusual sharp roofs called "cummerse." Continuing south, you can stop in Cisternino, where every evening tourists from all over the world enjoy "gnummeredde," tasty meat skewers, sitting at the tables of one of the many butchers in the historic center
Salento
Salento refers to a part of southern Puglia with a strong historical identity, encompassing the provinces of Brindisi and Lecce. Among the most beautiful places in this region, Lecce is undoubtedly a must-see destination. Known as "the Florence of the South," it is rich in baroque art, which is expressed through its palaces and churches, built from the typical Lecce stone. On the coast, a visit to the elegant Gallipoli is a must. This city, with its oriental-style appearance, is one of the most fashionable destinations on the Puglian coast, famous for its fine white sandy beaches, popular with beach volleyball enthusiasts, windsurfers, and kayakers. On the Adriatic side, there’s Ostuni, known as the "White City," and Santa Maria di Leuca, located at the southernmost tip of Puglia.
The Murgia: Alberobello and Castellana Caves
A unique city in the world, Alberobello was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996. The town preserves a historic center entirely made up of trulli, the characteristic cone-shaped houses built with dry stone and whitewashed with lime. From Alberobello, it takes just a few minutes to reach the Castellana Caves, the most important speleological complex in Europe, offering visitors a breathtaking sight: colossal stalagmites and stalactites, as well as spectacular natural galleries that extend over three kilometers of underground pathways. These formations are the result of the erosive action of an ancient underground river that carved through the limestone rock for centuries.
Rock-Cut Civilization
The "Parco delle Gravine" is a vast area that spans three provinces and contains a concentration of rock settlements that is unique in Western Europe. In Ginosa, the most important remains of this ancient civilization can be found, with hundreds of caves that were once used as homes and religious sites. Part of this area is open for excursions and guided tours, offering visitors the opportunity to explore a world rich in history and biodiversity.
The Gargano and the Tremiti Islands
To the north, on the Adriatic side, stand the towns of Vieste, with its "trabucchi" (ancient fishing installations), and Peschici, the "Pearl of the Gargano," a charming tourist town famous for its sea caves, pristine bays, and its historic center filled with small shops selling local handicrafts. From here, small boats can take visitors to the Tremiti Islands, whose unspoiled beauty inspired the singer-songwriter Lucio Dalla, who composed some of his most beautiful songs right here.