Carlo V Castle in Lecce

Among the many wonders that the city of Lecce hosts, we cannot forget the Carlo V Castle, which stands a short distance from the famous Piazza Sant’Oronzo, a must-visit place for anyone who finds themselves in the splendid baroque city.

The castle is an imposing structure from the Norman age which has undergone various modifications and renovations over the centuries.

Legends and stories have been handed down about the castle which, in addition to making it a fascinating place to visit, shroud it in mystery.

The history of Carlo V Castle in Lecce

It owes its name to the Spanish sovereign Charles V who had it renovated in the 16th century: in fact its construction dates back to the 12th century AD. The renovation began precisely in 1537 and ended in 1553. It is precisely thanks to the renovation work carried out under Charles V that the castle became a fortress against enemy attacks, as it was enriched with new defensive works.

Obviously compared to the medieval structure, of which it preserves the trapezoidal plan, the Torre Mozza and the Torre Magistra, the castle was enlarged with new rooms and surrounded by a curtain wall which was connected to four bastions: of the Holy Trinity, of the Holy Cross, of San Martino and San Giacomo.

The legends about Carlo V Castle

As anticipated, the Charles V Castle is shrouded in mystery due to the many legends that have been handed down about this place. One of these claims that the ghosts of Maria d’Enghien and Giangiacomo dell’Acaya live in the basement of the fortress. The latter was the engineer responsible for the project of making the castle a fortress against enemy attacks. Unfortunately it is said that Giangiacomo ended his days right in the cells of the castle’s basement, after having acted as guarantor to a man who did not honor his debts. From that place, which he designed and built, he never saw the light of the sun again.

Regarding Maria d’Enghien, Queen of Naples, Princess of Taranto and Countess of Lecce, Soleto and Galatina, it is said that her spirit often returns to the castle where she lived during her lifetime.

Furthermore, there are those who confess to having heard the crying of a child coming from the Charles V Castle: it is probably the son of a soldier who died falling into a well and was carried away from here by the current of the Idume river (a of water flowing under the city of Lecce).

All these legends do nothing but make the Charles V Castle an even more fascinating place.

Useful information

The Carlo V Castle hosts within it, in addition to various exhibitions and shows, also the Papier-mâché Museum, the maximum expression of local artistic craftsmanship. It is a collection of approximately 80 works created by the most important living papier-mâché makers from the 18th century to the present day.

Furthermore, thanks to the collaboration between the Superintendency of Archaeological Fine Arts and Landscape for the Provinces of Brindisi, Lecce and Taranto and the cultural associations “34° fusa” and “The Monuments People”, visitors can take guided and multimedia tours to discover the hidden places in the castle (such as dungeons or cells) thanks to the “Through the Castle” project.

Usually the castle opens following these times in winter:

• Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm

• Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 9.30am to 9pm

In summer, from June to September:

• Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm

• Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 9.30am to 9pm

While in the months of July and August:

• from Monday to Friday from 9am to 11pm

• Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 9.30am to 11pm

However, given the health emergency linked to the Coronavirus epidemic, opening to the public is subject to restrictions in order to avoid risky gatherings.

With the promotion of Puglia in the yellow zone, the castle has reopened its doors, so visits are currently possible.

The cost of the entrance ticket is 5 euros (2 euros for children). Access is free for disabled people and their companions.

Those who live in Salento are already very lucky because they have beautiful places within reach where they can go on excursions, trips to the seaside, explore the historic centers or have fun during the summer nightlife. However, there is no shortage of those who also want to visit the beauties outside the Salento area, starting from the closest ones such as the cities, towns and villages of the Itria Valley. For this purpose many decide to rent a car or, especially for outings in groups of friends or with family, to book a transfer, a minibus suitable for trips out of town for several people.

The Itria Valley

The Itria Valley, also called “land of the trulli”, is an area that includes several municipalities in the provinces of Bari, Brindisi and Taranto.

• Firstly, Alberobello, a UNESCO heritage city, famous for its characteristic white conical buildings, the trulli, wonderful for walking in the narrow streets of the Monti and Aja Piccola districts, full of souvenir shops and restaurants where you can eat excellent local food.

• Secondly, Locorotondo and its historic center where it is possible to admire the traditional houses with pointed roofs and the narrow streets embellished with flowers, also beautiful to photograph.

• Thirdly, Putignano, a city famous for its Carnival but not only: for all lovers of nature excursions it is the ideal place to discover mysterious beauties such as the Grotta di San Michele and the bell-shaped Grotta del Trullo.

• But certainly unmissable are the Castellana caves in the municipality of Castellana Grotte, open all year round.

• Moving from the municipality of Bari to that of Brindisi, a visit to the white city, Ostuni, so defined because of the typical buildings made of white lime in its historic centre, is unmissable.

• Also, a short distance away is Carovigno, a charming village with a splendid historic centre, rich in art, history and nature: the four towers, the churches or the nearby Torre Guaceto nature reserve.

• In addition, in the province of Brindisi, for your out-of-town trips, you can visit the other towns of the Itria Valley, Ceglie Messapica, San Michele Salentino, San Vito dei Normanni, Villa Castelli, Cisternino and Fasano.

• To conclude, the towns of the Valla d’Itria are closed by Martina Franca, in the province of Taranto, famous for its Baroque architecture. Worth tasting here is the famous capocollo.

Destinations to visit in autumn and winter in Puglia…

• Among the autumn and winter destinations, there are many places to discover outside of Salento where you can stop for just one day or even for a few days. Remaining in Puglia, in Andria there is Castel del Monte, an octagonal building built by Frederick II of Swabia around 1240 in a position, 540 meters above sea level, which today seems isolated but which at that time was strategic , not far from the road that connected Andria and Garagnone. The castle stands in a point where the sun shines at all hours of the day: in the Middle Ages the sun had a particular meaning, especially since Frederick II was passionate about astronomy and was often compared to this very star.

• Instead, in the province of Foggia, a symbol of Christianity and a destination for numerous tourists and pilgrims every year, is the Sanctuary of San Pio da Pietrelcina in San Giovanni Rotondo. It was Padre Pio himself who wanted the construction of a sanctuary near the ancient Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. This was inaugurated in 1959 and its crypt also housed the tomb of the Saint which was then moved to the nearby new sanctuary inaugurated in 2004 and designed by the architect Renzo Piano: a grandiose and imposing structure of 6000 square metres, second in size only to Milan Cathedral.

…outside Puglia

• Matera, in Basilicata, splendid to visit especially during the Christmas period, famous for the Sassi or the typical constructions created from the natural caves present in the area to which have been added, over time, those dug by man who settled here in starting from the Paleolithic and which over the centuries, especially in the Middle Ages, built larger buildings such as the Cathedral of Matera or other churches. Even the historic center deserves more than one visit due to its buildings and palaces (such as the Palazzo dell’Annunziata) or its large squares.

• Likewise, in Calabria, however, between the provinces of Cosenza, Crotone and Catanzaro, there is the Sila National Park, where there are many activities that you can do during the autumn season even with your children: picking chestnuts and mushrooms, renting bicycles or follow horseback riding routes or, again, go for walks immersed in nature. At the Ampollino, Cecita and Arvo lakes, the more sporty will be able to go rowing or sport fishing especially for trout and carp. Sila is also very popular in winter for winter sports as in the towns of Lorica, Camigliatello and Ciricilla, chosen for their ski equipment and facilities, or Villaggio Palumbo for the bobsled slopes.

Destinations to visit in spring and summer in Puglia…

• When the good weather begins there is nothing better than spending a fun day with your children at the zoo and it is possible to visit one in nearby Fasano, the Zoosafari where you can admire savannah animals such as lions, tigers, giraffes, elephants , zebras, camels, dromedaries and many others; take walks among monkeys, gorillas, chimpanzees and baboons; photograph aquatic animals such as hippos, seals and polar bears; discover reptiles or admire shows with sea lions and seals. Near the zoo there is also the Fasanolandia Amusement Park with many attractions and rides for the enjoyment of adults and children.

• To relax in the summer by the sea, enjoying spacious sandy beaches and beautiful crystal clear waters, remaining in Puglia, in the Gargano there is the beautiful town of Vieste, famous both for all its natural and landscape beauty (such as the Sea Caves and Pizzomunno) but also for its historic centre, quiet for walks among souvenir shops and restaurants but also for the increasingly active nightlife which attracts many young people, especially in summer, with events, beach parties and concerts. From the port of Vieste it is possible to book a place on the ferry that connects the city every day with the Tremiti Islands, an archipelago in the Adriatic Sea made up of five islands (San Domino, San Nicola, Capraia, Cretaccio and Pianosa) beautiful to visit even with a small dinghy or with organized tours of the caves that allow you to admire the beauty of the seabed and places inaccessible simply by swimming.

…outside Puglia

• Another seaside town, this time overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, is Tropea. The fascinating town of the Costa degli Dei will leave you enchanted not only by the beauty of its beaches but also by the many cultural and artistic testimonies. In the ancient part of the city there is Church of Santa Maria dell’Isola (also called Isola Bella) from which it is possible to admire the entire coast and even see Stromboli and Vulcano or Etna in Sicily.

• For those looking for a dream holiday, in spring or summer, moving from Salento even for several days, Campania will satisfy these needs with the Sorrento Coast with the beauties of Sorrento, Massa Lubrense, Vico Equense and Sant’Agata. These are beautiful towns with breathtaking scenery where vegetation and the sea combine with the smells of citrus fruits and flowers.

• Likewise, still in Campania, for a charming holiday, you can opt for the Amalfi Coast which extends between the Gulf of Naples and that of Salerno through 14 municipalities including the beautiful Amalfi, whose historic center is dominated by the Cathedral of Sant’Andrea and again, villages like Atrani and Conca dei Marini where the famous Campania dessert “la Sfogliatella” was born. Furore, also called the painted town, famous for its fjord from which thousands of people dive every year, the seaside centers or fishing villages of Maiori, Minori, Praiano and Cetara. Finally Positano, famous for its white houses leaning against the sea and Vietri sul Mare, the last town on the coast, the southernmost one, famous for its ceramists.

Once upon a time, Salento was a land of conquest. Today it is one of the most desired destinations for the summer and every tourists leave a piece of their heart here. On the other hand, just seeing her sea is enough to fall in love with her. Salento is a magical, eclectic and, sometimes, surreal place that manages to enchant and bewitch with its coasts, its breathtaking landscapes, its history and the typical culture of the “Heel of Italy”. The warmth and hospitality of the places and the people transform the stay into an unforgettable experience. In this article we will list the 7 unmissable places that cannot be missed during your holidays in Puglia!

1. Ostuni, the “White City”

The magic of Ostuni, known as the “White City”, is linked to the characteristic lime paint coloring of the ancient village

Worth visiting, in the heart of the ancient village, are the Romanesque-Gothic style Cathedral, the former Carmelite monastery home to the Museum of Preclassical Civilizations of the Southern Murgia, the church of San Francesco, the Co-Cathedral and above all the ancient village. While outside the town the ancient farms deserve attention: among others, Santa Caterina with the high octagonal tower, the fortified masseria “Lo Spagnulo” (farm) and the Cappuccini masseria with its trulli.

Walks, workshops and tastings at the numerous educational farms, i.e. agritourism companies distributed throughout the territory which offer, for schools, but not only, direct experiences of observation and study, and then manipulations, fruit harvesting, participation in the various phases of transformation of agricultural products, creation of small rattan objects and tasting of typical products.

Finally, a visit to the Castellana Caves is a must, open all year round and is carried out with the help of expert tourist guides.

2. Itria Valley

It may be due to the white of the buildings or the vegetation that frames them, but every town, every village in the valley is surrounded by a magical, almost fairy-tale atmosphere. Valle d’Itria also called «Valle dei Trulli», is an extensive valley dotted with the famous cylindrical-shaped houses.
In the heart of the Itria Valley, an obligatory stop is Alberobello with its trulli, a location included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is considered a unique and enchanting place and, although it may be a little too touristy, it certainly deserves a visit visit. Most of the trulli here have been transformed into souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants, but some (in the less crowded areas of the city) are still inhabited. It’s impossible not to be fascinated by a walk through the streets of the Monti and Aja Piccola districts. Furthermore, here among the trulli, both the Living Nativity Scene, in the month of December, and the Living Passion, during the Easter period, are staged.

In the valley there is not only Alberobello. Its countryside is dotted with these typical buildings: just think of Cisternino, which rises in the so-called Murgia dei trulli, counted, together with nearby Locorotondo, among the most beautiful villages in Italy. The latter, called “Luogorotondo” until the mid-nineteenth century due to the characteristic round shape of the town, is part of “La Terra dei Trulli”.

3. The Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve

The Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve is a protected area located in the territory of Carovigno, on the Adriatic coast, a beach awarded with the 3 Sails of Legambiente. This stretch of coast is 6 kilometers long and offers an uncontaminated Mediterranean landscape, with the sea and dunes, Mediterranean scrub and marshes, of particular importance, as well as beauty. Inside there are habitats and landscapes such as a marine reserve with rocky and sandy seabeds, a wetland populated by amphibians and birds, high sand dunes and long accessible beaches where you can swim in a unique context. Throughout the year, the reserve offers numerous sporting activities such as trekking, cycle trekking, snorkeling and seawatching and various environmental education initiatives. The symbol of the area is the mighty Aragonese tower which for centuries has peered over the wonderful sea it overlooks.

4. Specchia

Specchia was the first of the Salento villages to earn the title of one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. The town is located in the Salento hinterland, behind Leuca, between Ugento and Tricase. It stands on a modest hill, perhaps justifying its name: the “specchie”, in fact, were piles of stones that the Messapians created as watchtowers. The center of the village is very enjoyable, with cars banned for some time and the possibility of walking and discovering its beauties. Typically medieval, with Catalan and Baroque motifs and decorations, Specchia is the town where life flows slowly.

The most evocative part of the center is the one behind the sixteenth-century Palazzo Risolo, among the tangle of alleys, courtyards and short stairways. Standing out with all its grandeur on Piazza del Popolo are the Ripa palace, the underground oil mills, the convent of the Black Franciscans dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries and the church of Santa Caterina. There are also several caves that open along the beautiful and very high limestone walls of this stretch of coast, which falls within the territory of the Costa Otranto, Santa Maria di Leuca and Bosco di Tricase Park.

5. Porto Selvaggio

You can immerse yourself in the extraordinary environment of the Regional Park of Porto Selvaggio and Palude del Capitano, included by the FAI (Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano) among the 100 places to be saved, a green treasure on the blue shore of the Ionian coast of Salento, north of Gallipoli.

The Wild Porto Park is ideal for long walks scented with pines, thyme, myrtle and Mediterranean scrub. Its coastline is a sinuous series of coves and natural caves, such as the Grotta delle Corvine, one of the most evocative in Salento. Along the paths traced by the managing body, you come across picnic areas, before reaching the bay, where a small pebble beach opens up. There are two main bays in the park: Porto Selvaggio bay and Uluzzo bay. To reach the coves, you need to reach Villa Tartufo near which there is one of the entrances to the park. You will then have to follow a path in the middle of the pine forest which will take you directly to the bay.

Don’t expect to find a large beach of fine sand. What will welcome you is a small cove with pebbles and a part of the cliff. On the left you will find the Torre dell’Alto while on the right there are numerous routes to explore the park.

6. Gallipoli

“Beautiful City” is the meaning of the name of Gallipoli, a seaside city nestled like a mirage on the Ionian coast, about 40km from Lecce.

The ancient village, perched on an island of limestone origin, is connected to the mainland and the new city by a twentieth-century arched bridge, recently flanked by another bridge towards the port. Today, the walls, bastions and towers protect it from sea storms, giving it a charm of times gone by.
The old city seems to announce itself with the Greek Fountain, a monument actually of Renaissance origin, while behind it, the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Canneto and the Chapel of Santa Cristina, protector of the city, overlook the sea.

Also worth seeing are the Basilica of Sant’Agata and the elegant palaces of the Salento nobility. Opposite Gallipoli, about a mile from the coast, the island of Sant’Andrea. The most beautiful beaches are around Porto Selvaggio, Lido Pizzo and Baia Verde. In summer Gallipoli is very popular especially with young people, as it offers a very intense nightlife and many places to spend a cheerful evening.

7. Porto Cesareo

Among the places to visit in Salento there are certainly Porto Cesareo with the dunes of Punta Prosciutto and the beach of Torre Lapillo.

Porto Cesareo is an important tourist resort famous for its golden beaches and the enchanting and easily accessible sea.
The village follows the rhythms of the sea and gathers around the pretty port, with the fish market and the characteristic row of colorful boats. Porto Cesareo includes the Marine Protected Area and the Regional Oriented Nature Reserve “Palude del Conte e Duna Costiera”, among the largest in Italy. It is worth walking the paths that cross the area for a dive into uncontaminated nature and a visit to the Marine Biology Station and the Thalassographic Museum.

In the area, the suggestive watchtowers stand out, preserved in excellent condition, including Torre Cesarea, Torre Chianca and Torre Lapillo, ancient stone sentinels built with the aim of preventing Saracen attacks, today guardians of the coast.

We suggest you stay on the beach until sunset to enjoy the colors of the sun, which sets into the placid waters of the sea.

The best way to learn about the traditions and culture of a place is through festivals. In Puglia these take place all year round, allowing both locals to rediscover their roots and tourists to taste typical products and traditional dishes venue in a cheerful and carefree context, suitable for making friends and spending a pleasant evening enlivened by music and folklore. Participating is simple because these events are often advertised through posters and posters posted around the towns so that everyone can find out about them.

The festivals of Salento

In spring there are:

• In Novoli the Puccia dell’Ampa, an event dedicated to the typical sandwich seasoned with pickles or strong ricotta and cooked in a wood oven.
• On March 19th in Cutrofiano on the occasion of the Feast of St. Joseph, the Zeppola Festival, the typical Father’s Day dessert, is held.
• On April 6th in Santa Cesarea Terme the cuddura festival, the traditional Easter dessert or sweet bread with eggs.
• In Castro on April 24th, in honor of the Patronal Feast of Maria Ss Annunziata, there is a fish festival, where the fish is fried in olive oil and served seasoned with garlic and mint.
• The Cherry Festival in Leverano on May 24th is a real event that celebrates this fruit.

In summer there are:

• the Sceblasti Festival in Zollino to taste this typical bread seasoned with pumpkin, olives, chilli pepper, capers and more, to be enjoyed in the streets of this small village.
• The Sagra della Piscialetta on July 3rd in Surbo is another opportunity to try another type of Salento bread mixed with tomatoes and olives but also with other seasonal vegetables.
• On July 10th the Sagra te lu Ranu or the Wheat Festival is held in Lizzanello, to taste the excellent traditional Salento dishes made with homemade pasta such as orecchiette with sauce or turnip tops.
• The Bruschetta Festival on 19th July and the Peperonata Festival on 21st July in Santa Cesarea Terme.
• The Puccia Festival in Ugento to celebrate the typical Salento bread.
• The Swordfish Festival in Gallipoli.
• Again, in Surano, on July 28th, the Pasticciotto Festival, the traditional custard dessert.
• The Sagra te la Uliata in Caprarica di Lecce, to taste another type of Puccia with black olives.
• In Leverano, the end of July is characterized by Birra&Sound, an event featuring beer, local gastronomic and music.
• The Meatball Festival in August in Felline is the perfect opportunity to taste pork or horse meatballs but also aubergines, enriched with pecorino cheese.
• Still in August in Vitagliano, near Santa Cesarea Terme, the Cucuzzata Festival, a sort of focaccia made with courgettes, black olives, chilli pepper and olive oil.
• From 10 to 13 August in Cannole there is the Municeddha Festival, that is, the snail which can be enjoyed, to the rhythm of songs and pizzica, in sauce, roasted and fried.

Finally, during the Christmas period, there are many festivals dedicated to Pittula, the leavened dough pancakes made from flour, water and yeast which can be white or seasoned with olives, potatoes and much more, which can be enjoyed both in Tiggiano and in Surano.

The festivals of the Itria Valley

The summer of the Itria Valley is characterized by various popular festivals such as in Cisternino when, in August, the Bombetta and Truffle Bruschetta festival, the Oil and Wine Festival, the Orecchiette Festival and the Tripe Festival and Festival of Flavors, opportunities to discover local products, traditional dishes, enjoying wine and listening to popular music.

Also in August, the Ceglie Food Festival, held in Ceglie Messapica, an event in which the worlds of starred cuisine and street food contrast with tastings of typical products and craft beers. In Locorotondo the Valle d’Itria Fireworks Festival, as suggested by the name, it is an unmissable event for all lovers of good food and fireworks. Also in the small village is the Gnumeredde suffuchete Festival to savor the typical innard rolls wrapped in lamb intestines. Also, the Cialled Festival, a traditional dish of peasant culture made with stale bread soaked in water and seasoned with tomato, oil, oregano and onions.

September is accompanied by the Grape Festival and Festival of Flavors in Cisternino. In November in Locorotondo there is the New Wine Festival, to discover the wine production of the Itria Valley.

The festivals in Bari and its province

In Polignano a Mare at the beginning of January Pettole e Frittelle in Sagra is held, an event in which, in addition to being able to taste typical local fried foods, you can spend pleasant hours in the historic center set up with Christmas markets and shows by jesters and jugglers.

During the summer period various festivals are held in the Bari area. At the beginning of June the Cherry Festival takes place in Turi to celebrate the Ferrovia cherry. Another fruit, this time celebrated in Corato, is the fiorone with the Fiorone Festival which takes place in the first days of July. In Acquaviva delle Fonti the typical local Red Onion Festival is held on 19 and 20 July. During the event, many typical dishes based on this vegetable are prepared which can be tasted accompanied by a glass of wine and shows.

Fish lovers will be satisfied by participating in the Octopus Festival which takes place at the end of July at the port of Mola di Bari, a fifty-year-long tradition to discover the flavors of tradition and, again, on the Santo Spirito seafront in Bari , in August, the Fried Fish Festival is held. Also in August, another unmissable event is the Grandma’s Sandwich Festival in Giovinazzo, where the protagonists are sandwiches stuffed with tomatoes, peppers, artichokes and aubergines in oil, enriched with mortadella, provolone and much more, to be tasted between dance performances and antique exhibitions. The month of August ends with the Sagra dei Sapori a Bitritto, an event in which gastronomy and music meet in Piazza La Pira.

In the autumn and winter there are many festivals you can take part in: in Putignano in mid-September the Sagra delle Farinelle is held, a typical flour of toasted chickpeas and barley consumed in the past by farmers. Sammichele di Bari is famous for the Zampina, bocconcino and good wine festival where you can enjoy this characteristic local sausage with good wine. In the first ten days of October the Olive Festival is held in Sannicandro di Bari to celebrate the Termite olive.

Also in October, again in Acquaviva delle Fonti, the Calzone Festival is held, established in 1971, where you can taste the calzone. It is a dough rolled out with a rolling pin and seasoned with onion, strong ricotta and pecorino. The event is enlivened by concerts and tribute bands. In November Triggiano hosts the Sagra du’ Minghiaridd dedicated to handmade cavatelli. Wine is the protagonist of Bacco nelle gnostre, a food and wine and music event held in Noci in November.

Christmas holidays are marked by various events such as the Chocolate Festival in Monopoli, the Pettola Festival in Rutigliano and the Panzerotti Festival in Terlizzi.

The festivals of Daunia and Tavoliere

In the summer in Tavoliere and Daunia there are many festivals in which fresh handmade pasta, meat and local products are the protagonists.

In Orsara di Puglia on June 14th the green asparagus festival is held, a vegetable so tasty that it is defined as “the King’s food”. For meat, not to be missed is the Sanpaolese Torcinello Festival, an event held in August in San Paolo Civitate to taste this local product made with guts and sweetbreads of lamb cooked on the grill. In Monteleone di Puglia on 6 August there is also the Porchetta and black pork festival. Ham is the protagonist at the festivals of Faeto and Motta Montecorvino. For pasta lovers, always in August, in Deliceto and Candela, the Orecchietta Festival and in Celle San Vito, the Cicatelli Festival. Or, on August 13th, in Monteleone di Puglia, the Caciocavallo, Cicatelli and Acc’ Festival. On this day, in Castelluccio Valmaggiore there is the Handmade Pasta Festival.

Truffle triumph at the Truffle Festival in Roseto Valfortore held on August 14th. The artichoke is the protagonist of a festival held in Ordona in October and, finally, in April, the Fava and Pecorino Festival in Cerignola.

If it is known that Puglia is one of the regions of Italy most frequented by tourists during the summer due to its beaches that extend from the Gargano to Salento, it is also true that the towns, villages and cities of Puglia lend themselves to visits in the low season for a variety of reasons. In this article you will find out what to visit in Puglia in the low season. You will not regret it!

The advantages of visiting Puglia in the low season

The first of all the advantages of visiting Puglia in the low season is that, while in the high season it is more difficult to find certain resorts, farms or bed & breakfasts available (unless you book in advance), in the low season you can enjoy lower prices and higher availability.

Even in restaurants, at museums or at the attraction points of the various cities, it will be much easier to enjoy that atmosphere of intimacy and serenity which does not characterize the summer season in which the influx of people in clubs, in shops, for roads is continuous with the possibility of having to stand in long queues to access a certain place, thus wasting a lot of time instead of enjoying the holiday.

To this confusion, in summer we add the climate factor, the great heat which often “forces” us to stay on the beach and prefer to cool off in the sea rather than enjoy the beauties that the cities are rich in. At the end of the day, in Puglia there is not only the sea but often in summer you end up not fully realizing how much more this region can offer.

Instead, in the low season, be it autumn, winter or spring, it becomes more pleasant to walk, explore and visit precisely because the climate is more favourable. In winter, the Christmas atmosphere makes all the cities more beautiful and evocative, festively adorned with lights, Christmas trees and often background music that spreads as you walk through the city streets.

What to visit in Puglia in low season

• Lecce is a beautiful city of art, evidence above all of the Baroque that spread during the Spanish domination of which several churches, monuments but also balconies or terraces of homes in the historic center bear witness.
• The Itria Valley is another wonderful land to visit in the low season because there are many cities and towns that make it up. Among these there is Alberobello, characterized by the typical white and conical-shaped buildings to walk among.
• Locorotondo, not far away, takes its name from its round-shaped plant and is also characterized by the typical white houses, adorned with beautiful flowers in spring and Christmas lights and decorations during the Christmas period.
• White also dominates the beautiful Cisternino, a village where you can walk and taste excellent meat (including bombette) at the typical butchers in the historic centre, called “fornelli”.
• Also unmissable is the city of Castellana Grotte with its suggestive caves open all year round: they are one of the major representations of the karst phenomenon in Puglia and extend for about three kilometers with an alternation of caves, canyons, stalactites and stalagmites.
• Again, Ostuni, in the province of Brindisi, the so-called “white city” with many historical and past beauties (the Cathedral, Palazzo Vescovile, Palazzo del Seminario, the Column of Piazza Sant’Oronzo) but also with many places to stop for a pleasant stop.

• Matera is the perfect choice both for a visit of a few hours and for a holiday lasting several days: the beautiful landscape that rises from the balcony near the Church of San Domenico, that of the famous “Sassi di Matera“, will leave you spellbound.

Masserie (farmhouses) with SPA

When you go to one of these destinations, you can treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in one of the luxury farmhouse spas that abound in the area called Masserie. These structures are a perfect mix between past and future where the tradition of the Apulian countryside is combined with the luxury and modernity often conferred by the furnishings, the services offered to customers and the spas and wellness centres. Thus, it will be truly evocative to breathe in the bucolic air given by the centuries-old olive trees and the rural landscape and relax in the spa, aromatherapy, massages and cutting-edge treatments for your psychophysical well-being.

Unmissable events in the low season in Puglia

• Puglia offers many events and experiences to enjoy in the low season: in autumn in the Itria Valley and precisely in Noci in the province of Bari, the autumn festival called “Bacco nelle gnostre” is held with wine tastings while eating roasted chestnuts. Another event dedicated to wine is held in Alberobello in November, the “Puglia Wine Festival” in which, a glass of wine is accompanied by chestnuts, music and Apulian folk traditions.

• In December there are many villages in Puglia that are lit up with lights and where live nativity scenes are set up while in January, in Castellana Grotte in Valle d’Itria, a large bonfire commemorates the end of the plague during the so-called Festa delle Fanove. An unmissable event in the Itria Valley is the Putignano Carnival, famous throughout the world for its masks and allegorical floats that make the atmosphere colorful and fun for several days, from December 26th until Shrove Tuesday.

• Immediately afterwards, the Easter period is characterized by a series of events such as that of Good Friday in Alberobello or in cities in the province of Taranto in which there is no shortage of historical re-enactments or suggestive and characteristic processions. Finally, in spring in Lecce and Salento, there are many exhibitions, festivals or patronal celebrations such as that of Sant’Irene which falls on May 5th when fireworks displays are organized for the holiday and illuminations, stalls and concerts enliven the squares.

Here is a perfect three-days itinerary for visiting the wonderful Itria Valley with its landscapes. For large groups it is a good idea to book a guided tour with a driver.

For a holiday in the Itria Valley, a stay in the city of Locorotondo is strongly recommended due to its central location which will allow you to reach the other suggested destinations without problems.

First day: Ostuni and Cisternino

For the first day of your holiday, the recommended cities to visit are Ostuni and Cisternino.

• Ostuni is also known as the White City due to its characteristic historic center, which in the past was completely painted with white lime. Today this city is a renowned tourist center. Your visit to Ostuni cannot fail to include the Aragonese Walls, which were built in the late Middle Ages by the Angevins to repel the attack of the Saracens and later amplified to counter the Turkish invasion. Another recommended stop in the city is the Cathedral which is located in the highest part of Ostuni. It is an architectural work in Gothic style built in the second half of the 1400s at the behest of Ferdinand of Aragon and Alfonso II, sovereigns of the Kingdom of Naples. In Ostuni it is also possible to visit the Museum of Preclassic Civilizations of Southern Murgia which houses finds dating back to the prehistoric and Messapian periods such as ceramics, ornamental objects and stone tools. Piazza della Libertà is the main square of Ostuni, surrounded by the Church of San Francesco, seat of the Town Hall, the Palazzo San Francesco and the Church of the Holy Spirit. The object of admiration among tourists is certainly the Obelisk of Sant’Oronzo, also called La Guglia, characterized by the fact that it was carved in local stone in a baroque style. But Ostuni is also a seaside city and offers numerous beaches from which to admire unforgettable landscapes.

• The second recommended city for the first day is Cisternino, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy whose historic center is certainly worth a visit. Among the architectural works of the village, we include the Mother Church of San Nicola, the Sanctuary of the Madonna d’Ibernia and the Church of Santa Maria di Costantinopoli which is located just outside the city.

Finally, we must not forget the characteristic farms, ancient rural homes that represent the typical “Apulian field farm”.

Second day: Alberobello and Castellana Grotte

The suggested destinations for the second day are Alberobello and the Castellana Grotte.

• Alberobello is very famous for its trulli. In the main neighborhoods of Aja Piccola and Monti you can admire the Trulli Siamesi and the Trullo Sovrano, characteristic as the former are two attached trulli while the latter is built on two floors. During your visit you will also be able to appreciate the Church of Sant’Antonio da Padova, particular for its trullo shape. In the central Piazza Curri you can visit the Basilica Sanctuary of Saints Cosma and Damiano. Another attraction of Alberobello is the House of Love, built immediately after the issuing of the Liberation Decree in 1797.

• The second destination of the day, the Castellana Grotte, will offer you a unique experience in the complex of underground cavities of karst origin. Attached to the caves, there is also a speleological museum that you can visit accompanied by a guide.

• If you want to visit another characteristic city of the Itria Valley, the advice is Martina Franca. You can walk among numerous stately buildings such as the Basilica of San Martino.

Third day: Polignano a Mare and Monopoli

For the last day of your three-days itinerary in the Itria Valley, we recommend three cities that overlook the coast. They are Polignano a Mare, Monopoli, Savelletri and Torre Canne as the fourth optional destination. Also for this day, our advice for large groups is to book a guided tour with the driver.

• One of the major attractions of Polignano a Mare is Lama Monachile, a single-span Roman construction dating back to the 2nd century AD, built on the Via Traiana which connected Brindisi to Benevento. The beach of Cala Paura is a small corner of paradise made up of two coves and a small pier for traditional boats. Furthermore, the coast of Polignano a Mare offers a large number of sea caves that can be visited by booking a boat tour.

• The second destination of the day, Monopoli, represents one of the most active and populous ports in Puglia. Its historic center is a riot of stately palaces and churches such as the Maria Santissima della Madia Cathedral, with its façade and bell tower in Baroque style, the churches of San Domenico and San Francesco and the Church of Santa Maria Amalfitana, in Romanesque style. Not to be missed in Monopoli is the Castle of Charles V and the Castle of Santo Stefano. But Monopoli is famous above all for its beaches and coves with clear waters. Among the best known and most visited bays are Cala Porta Vecchia, Porto Nero, Porto Verde and Copacabana.

• The coastal wonders of this area represent a common thread between Polignano a Mare, Monopoli and the nearby Savelletri. Savelletri is a seaside resort where you can enjoy the enchanting landscapes of the port and the sea.

• The sea is also the backdrop to the fourth optional destination of the day, namely Torre Canne.

Here, then, are our proposals for a three-days itinerary in the beautiful Itria Valley. Three days that will immerse you in the wonders, history, art and culture of this corner of Puglia.

Here is a one-day itinerary that will lead you from the Itria Valley to Matera. Just one day to travel kilometers of wonders that will leave you speechless!

In case you wish to visit Matera, a highly recommended city, due to the beauty of the place and its position, is the characteristic Alberobello. A good idea would be to stay in a trullo, which is a traditional conical stone construction from Puglia.

It is recommended to book a guided tour in order to enjoy this region, accompanied by the explanations of a guide. Among the cities of the Itria Valley, besides Alberobello, there are Locorotondo, Cisternino, Martina Franca and many others, while the city par excellence of Basilicata is Matera, famous for its stones and recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site since 1993.

What to see in Matera

Visiting Matera walking through its alleys and narrow streets is like taking a dive into the past. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, also known as the “City of Stones” or “Underground City”.

Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano are two neighborhoods which, together with the Civita district, make up the historic center of Matera. The first recalls the shape of the auditorium of a theatre, while the second contains sculpted portals and friezes.

Walking among the Sassi of Matera, you will come across what are considered symbols of the city, such as Casa Grotta in Vico Solitario. It is an ancient house consisting of a single room partly sculpted and partly built. Inside, motionless like a snapshot that extends over time, there is a fireplace with the kitchen, a table in the center with a single plate, a bed made up of two iron trestles, the bed made up of a mattress filled with leaves of corn and a stable with a manger which was intended for the family’s mule.

Another recommended destination in the city of the Sassi is Palombaro Lungo, an underground water cistern that arises from the connection of several pre-existing caves in the area and located under the pavement of Piazza Vittorio Veneto.

In Piazzetta Pascoli you will find Palazzo Lanfranchi, an architectural work that was built between 1668 and 1672 by Brother Francesco da Copertino at the request of Archbishop Vincenzo Lanfranchi. Today it is home to the national museum of medieval and modern art of Basilicata, divided into four sections: Sacred Art, Collectibles with a gallery of paintings, Contemporary Art and Demo-ethno-anthropological Section.

Among the churches in the city to visit are the Church of Purgatory and the Church of San Francesco d’Assisi, the first is a work created in baroque style built between 1725 and 1747 while the second, also designed in baroque style, is characterized by a nave with a quadrangular apse at the end, introduced by a pointed arch and covered with a cross vault.

Another symbol of the city is the Tramontano Castle, which dominates the historic center of Matera and is located on the Lapillo hill. The imposing building was born as a Norman residence located on the outskirts of Civita and initially consisted of eight square towers with defensive purposes and subsequently replaced by structures more suited to the times and commissioned by Giovanni Antonio Ursino, master of the Principality of Taranto.

An attraction that should not be overlooked is the Murgia Materana Park, also known as the historical-natural archaeological park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera. It is a protected natural area which aims to safeguard and enhance the rock habitat and the rock churches located in the Matera area.

Another protected area is the San Giuliano Regional Reserve, characterized by a rich flora and fauna which also includes river sections and lake areas.

What to see around Matera

In short, the Matera area is waiting to be discovered in every alley and in every landscape it offers to its inhabitants and tourists.

Optional destination of your itinerary is Gravina in Puglia, metropolitan city of Bari, known for the Alta Murgia national park. In this city you will find numerous churches including the Cathedral Basilica of S. Maria Assunta which is the cathedral and the main church of the city and palaces such as Palazzo Ducale degli Orsini and Palazzo de Gemmis-Pellicciari.

Among the civil architecture, there is the Swabian Castle commissioned by Frederick II and built on the top of a hill north of the citadel.

Furthermore, Gravina in Puglia has been the backdrop for numerous films and television series important for Italian cinema.

These are our recommendations for a one-day itinerary that starting from the Itria Valley will lead you to the beautiful city of Matera. A tour of history, art and, if desired, culinary tradition that will make you fully experience the flavors and wonders of these territories.

A holiday in the land of Salento is never forgotten. Between architecture, beaches, festivals and gastronomy, Salento and the Itria Valley are destinations that attract tourists of all ages. It is therefore possible to organize different itineraries in Puglia according to your needs: our region has such a varied offer that makes it ideal for any type of holiday.

What to see in Salento

First of all, the center of Lecce, characterized by the exuberance of the seventeenth century baroque. Architecture lovers will be able to appreciate the historic center of Otranto with the Aragonese Castle which dominates the city. A destination loved by young people is certainly Gallipoli which guarantees sea, sun and fun. There is no shortage of hiking experiences in the nature of this wonderful land. In fact, it is possible to visit the sea caves of Santa Maria di Leuca on board a boat.

What to see in Valle d’Itria

The Itria Valley is a portion of central Puglia which includes cities such as Martina Franca, an important wine-growing and agricultural centre, and Alberobello famous for its characteristic trulli, typical cone-shaped stone houses. We must not forget the charm of villages such as Cisternino, Locorotondo and Ostuni, the famous “white city”. There are numerous churches to visit, archaeological sites to discover, horizons over the sea to observe.

Another symbol of Puglia, in particular of the Itria Valley, are the Masserie, once large inhabited agricultural companies, now restored as agritourism companies.

Everything in this region bears witness to numerous years of domination. A riot of history kept alive by buildings, monuments, squares and traditions.

It is an area where nature and architecture meet to create unforgettable experiences, but not only that. During a trip to Puglia you will not forget the typical flavors of this area which will immerse you in the culinary tradition of the region: cavatelli, orecchiette, lampascioni, burrata, DOC wines and much more.

In short, nothing is missing. Now that you have suggestions and advice on what to visit in this Apulian paradise, all you have to do is set off to discover the heel of the Italian boot and organize your personalized itineraries in Puglia.

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Among churches, abbeys, amphitheatres, squares and museums… it is possible to follow a one-day itinerary in Lecce that will give you a 360-degree experience of this wonderful Apulian city. “The Lady of the Baroque”. This is how Lecce was defined. A city where the Roman, medieval and Renaissance eras meet with a period of Spanish domination that replaced the classical world. In Lecce you meet different styles that tell years of history waiting to be discovered.

One day itinerary in Lecce: locations

• To visit Lecce in one day it is certainly essential to start your itinerary from the Obelisk and Porta Napoli. After crossing Porta Napoli you will enter an area closed to traffic: the real old city. You can enjoy the historic center of Lecce by walking among artisan shops, characteristic streets of the city and visiting the Church of Santa Maria della Provvidenza and that of Santa Maria di Costantinopoli.

• Another square to admire is Piazza Sant’Oronzo, once known as the “merchant’s square”. Since 1656 it has been named after the patron saint of Lecce as thanks since it is said that the city was spared, during the plague epidemic that struck the Kingdom of Naples, thanks to the mediation of Oronzo. A 29 meter high votive column was also erected.

• Near Piazza Sant’Oronzo there is the Villa Comunale, characterized by splendid gardens waiting to be discovered. The garden is enriched by numerous architectural and decorative elements such as a monolithic circular basin fountain, which in the 1960s hosted some swans.

• The passage of the Roman era is witnessed by the Amphitheater which dates back to the 2nd century AD. and whose sculptural works, which have emerged to light, are today kept in the Castromediano Museum, the oldest museum in Puglia founded by Sigismondo Castromediano, a patriot, archaeologist and man of letters from Lecce who lived in the 19th century. In front of the Roman Amphitheater, in the central square of Sant’Oronzo, stands the Church of Santa Maria della Grazia. The church was built following the discovery of a fresco of the Madonna, dating back to the 14th century.

• Another wonder is the Castle of Carlo V, a fortress designed by Gian Giacomo dell’Acaya and built with cutting-edge military architecture techniques. Inside the Castle it is possible to visit the Papier-mâché Museum, an art that determines a typical characteristic of the Salento area.

• An architectural work, the fulcrum of the religious life of the people of Lecce, is the Cathedral located in the square of the same name. It is a baroque style church which inside houses paintings created by Giuseppe da Brindisi, depicting the Preaching of Sant’Oronzo, the Protection from the Plague, the Martyrdom of Sant’Oronzo and the Last Supper. The Cathedral also houses twelve altars dedicated to St. John the Baptist, to the Nativity with a sixteenth-century nativity scene, to the Martyrdom of St. Just, to St. Anthony of Padua, to the Immaculate Virgin, to St. Philip Neri, to the Crucifix and the Sacrament, to St. ‘Oronzo, Addolorata, San Giusto, San Carlo Borromeo and Sant’Andrea Apostolo.

• Also worth seeing in Lecce is the Basilica of Santa Croce, another example of Lecce baroque, together with the adjacent former Celestine convent. The façade of the Basilica, with its Romanesque-inspired rose window highlighted by Corinthian columns, conveys all its grandeur. The interior of the Basilica, with the typical structure of the Latin cross, houses numerous paintings, frescoes and altars.

• Lecce is rich in beauties and above all in churches. On your walk to discover the city, you can stop to admire numerous churches scattered throughout the streets. One of the oldest is the Church of Saints Niccolò and Cataldo, founded in 1180 by Count Tancredi d’Altavilla who became king of Sicily.

• Attached to the church is a convent which develops around two cloisters, in the oldest of which it is possible to admire a magnificent aedicule on richly sculpted spiral columns, placed as a cover for the Renaissance well. Among the most original churches in Lecce, one cannot fail to mention the Church of San Matteo with its singular curved façade which recalls the church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane located in Rome.

Typical food in Lecce

During your visit, you cannot avoid tasting the rustico Leccese, a “walking” gastronomic tradition and the pasticciotto, a typical shortcrust pastry dessert filled with custard. Frisa, on the other hand, is a simple and fresh Apulian delicacy, perfect for the summer season.

Many of the best clubs, bars and pastry shops in the city are concentrated in the historic center where, among other things, the famous shopping street is located: via Trinchese.

In short, if you have little time available, we recommend following this one-day itinerary in Lecce. This allow you to do not miss all the wonders of the city. An unforgettable experience between art and history that will amaze you.