Puglia Region
Puglia or Apulia is also known as the “heel of Italy”. It is a land of lush Olive trees, vineyards and red soils, mild wet winters and hot dry summers. Puglia’s history is a complex weave of colonisation, invasion and continual struggle for independence. It has been conquered by legions of foreign rulers – Greeks, Romans, Turks, Saracens and Spanish, most of whom were careful to live elsewhere. The notable exception was Frederick II the last Emperor of the Hohenstaufen line (1194 – 1250). An enlightened man, he built many castles and acres of vineyards and olive groves.
Puglia historically produced much of Italy’s pasta and today it produces one-tenth of the wine drunk in Europe, and it also produces over half of Italy’s olive oil. Puglian food has simple peasant roots and is some of the best to be found in Italy. It is famed for its orrechiette pasta, and you will find the old ladies of the villages sitting in the sun making it. Along the coastal regions its seafood is exquisitely delicious, and if you arrive during sea urchin season (riccio di mare) – try them. The pugliense go crazy for this dish.
Puglia is also the only place in Italy to find Trulli’s. These are peasant dwellings made with limestone and have conical roofs, many dating back to 15th Century. They were originally made without cement, so they could be easily dismantled to avoid paying property tax!
Tourist Attractions
Apart from the stunning beaches, there are many other surrounding attractions and important historical sites. The Grottoes of Catellana, the ancient town of Egnazia, the stunning Baroqueness of Lecce, the Trulli’s of Alberabello and Ostuni the “White City”. There is the safari park “Zoosafari” in Fasano, the wilderness sanctuary of Torre Guaceto, the potteries of Grottaglie (the plates in the apartments come from here), and the cave houses of Matera. Further south there is the wilderness Salento peninsular, with its clear blue Mediterranean waters of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas (some of the best in the whole med) - also not forgetting the ancient port of Gallipoli.
Wherever you go, be sure the Pulian food will never disappoint you. Lunchtime is a very important affair, and will last from 1 – 4.30pm. Be warned - all of the shops close around this time, so be careful to plan your day.
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The architecture of Puglia is simple, yet truly stunning. Drawn from its many cultures the old ‘Centro historico’s’ are rabbit warrens of cobbled streets, generally in dazzling white to reflect the sun. Cisternino is considered one of the prettiest towns in Italy and has cascading geraniums and bougainvillea lining the alleyways and arches.
Cisternino
Cisternino can be found in the Itria Valley. Built on a hilltop, the views from the town are stunning. Cisternino has a reputation as a town of gastronomy with no shortage of restaurants and trattorias, which spill out into the narrow streets and piazzas. The morning café, along with the evening aperativo of prosecco is a must. As an alternative to eating out, the famous Monday morning market is a source for all locally produced ingredients: pecorino cheese, local sausages, mounds of seasonal fruit and vegetables, fresh olives, purple aubergines, plump tomatoes and scarlet peppers - the list is endless, and exciting. What you cannot find in the market is available from a host of small specialist shops – fresh pasta, fresh bread, a mozzarella shop, a pharmacy, supermarkets and banks with cash withdrawal facilities.
Cisternino is only 15 km from the beaches of the Adriatic and many tourist attractions. Distances to nearby airports are 70km to Bari (1 hour by car), and 50km to Brindisi (a 45 minute car journey).
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Useful Links
Ryanair - Very cost-effective daily flights all year round to both Bari and Brindisi Airports from Stanstead Airport (north of London).
British Airways - Flights twice a week from Gatwick Airport to Bari Airport. Normally available from April to October.
Auto Europe Car Rental - Excellent value car rental in Italy and Worldwide.
Festivals & Events Search - A very comprehensive list of Festivals and Events throughout Italy. Simply select Puglia and the month of your stay and everything from Religious Festivals to Handicraft shows will be displayed - enjoy.
La Terra di Puglia (Land of Puglia) - Wealth of information on wines, dishes and food of Puglia, including many recipes.
Apulian Food - A site showcasing the a huge range of products from a number of local Puglian companies.
In Italy - Website devoted to all things Italian, with over 4000 pages of information, articles and links on all subjects
A Guide to the 'Most Beautiful Villages in Italy' - A web-site providing a comprehensive guide to those towns and villages which are considered the most beautiful in Italy (including Cisternino and Otranto in Puglia). Includes background information, a little bit of their history, photos and more.
Things to do
Zoosafari - A great experience for all the family in the largest zoological park in Italy - approx 30 minutes from Cisternino.
Gargano National Park - 500 year old trees, deer, rare woodpeckers and the highest concentration of orchid species in the Mediterranean can be found on a visit to this park
Ceramics of Grottaglie - Grottaglie has a long tradition of craftsmanship and today this continues with its beautiful ceramics, featuring not only hand-made crockery but also traditional 'Cavazone', vats used to store wine and olive oil
Alberobello - The original Trulli Town, with many shops selling arts and crafts. Designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Italian only web-site of the commune of Alberobello
Castel del Monte - This castle, situated a little west of Bari, illustrates the mix of cultures present in Puglia. In almost perfect condition, it was built in the 13th century by a German Emperor, and shows Islamic and European influences. Like Alberobello, it is also designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Castles of Puglia - Self explanatory really! As well as Castel del Monte, there are 4 other castles you can visit in Puglia and this site gives a brief summary of each of them together with maps and directions.
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