Puglia

(A sampling of its culture)

The vibrant culture and rich history that Puglia provides when you visit is unique.  Based on the heel of the Italian ‘boot’, it is an area that is often overlooked for more popular tourist regions. However, it should not be missed! Whether you’re planning a family holiday in Puglia or a getaway for two, there is something for everyone here. From the incredible wine and delicacies to the spectacular landscape, where green fields contrast with the blue sea, Puglia has some of the most incredible views that Italy can provide!  The climate is typically Mediterranean with hot, dry and sunny summers and mild and rainy winters.  Puglia is among the hottest and driest regions of Italy in summer with temperatures sometimes reaching up to and above 104 °F in Lecce and Foggia.

If you’re planning on visiting Puglia, here are a few facts about the region and its culture. From the correct pronunciation to insight into some of their most famous architecture, here are some facts that you may not know.

Puglia is pronounced "Pulya"

Agriculture plays a prominent economic role in Puglia. It is a mainly intensive and modern agriculture that allows the region to be among the largest in Italy,  of many products including

• durum wheat which is used to produce pasta
• tomatoes
• grape
• almonds
• olive oil
• vegetables
• fruits

Wines

Awning vineyard in the countryside of Barletta

Vineyards cover a  large area of Apulia, which is first among Italian grape-growing regions.  There are 4 government recognized wines produced here:

• Castel del Monte Bombino Nero
• Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva
• Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva
• Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale

Olive Oil

Olive extravergine oil Terre Tarentine

Olive trees near Modugno

There are an estimated 50 to 60 million olive trees in Puglia, and the region accounts for 40% of Italy's olive oil production. There are four specific Protected Designation of Origin (government designation) covering the whole region. 

Engineering

The Romans Completed Via Appia in Puglia in 190 BC.

The Greeks were eventually defeated by the Roman civilization that would go on to define Italian culture as a whole, and one of its greatest achievements, Via Appia, or,  "Appia Way."

One of the Roman’s most notable and durable engineering creations, was the invention of road networks, and Via Appia was one of the first and most famous road systems they ever created. The Appia Way project, which was started in Rome in 312 BC, connects Rome to the town of Brindisi, located on the south-east coast of Italy in the region now known as Puglia. In this period of Roman history, Brindisi was one of the Empire’s most important cities, a strategic port that was used to reach other powers such as Greece, Egypt and the Eastern Mediterranean. This engineering masterpiece can still be walked, forming a wide pathway through the history of the country and marked by a Roman column deep in the heart of Puglia. Think about this: Can we find any roads in the USA, even close to the age of the Appia Way, that are still in use?

Coastline

Wherever your location in Puglia, a nice beach is always nearby. With amazing crystal clear waters and a perfect warm dry climate on Puglia’s Adriatic and Ionian Coasts, the beaches are definitely worth the trip! There are lots of beaches from which to choose.

The Trulli are ancient huts unique to the region.

The rich farming heritage of Puglia is prevalent in the landscape, with the iconic white Trulli dotted all around. These are stone dwellings which date back to the Middle Ages, and were once used as homes for peasant farmers, among others. Alberobello, a UNESCO site, is one of the best places to experience these, with streets lined by these unique dwellings! Many of the huts are available for rent as tourist accommodations