pugliauncovered

 Between the Sky, the Land and the Sea

Puglia or Apulia? Well, there is no doubt about the rich and colourful geological formation of this hidden territory; whether you take a geographical, historical or morphological point of view; as a first time visitor, the vastness of this sub-mediterranean region of Italy; from the Terra di Bari to Salento, provides  many dominating and individualistic elements of an explosively innocuous and singular tract of land. 

Gargano to the vast plains of Tavoliere, the Murge Plateau and through to the peninsula of Salento.

Surrounded by  bodies of water without a beginning nor an end; with successive stretches of sands,  bottomless cliffs, secretive and inviting nooks and creeks. Inland the geographical formation is enriched by luxuriant mountain ranges with panoramic routes tripping along the coastline;  terraced agricultural fields meeting wide expansive wheat fields, fruit orchards and ancient olive trees on mass as far as the eye can see, stone enriched hilltops with villages toppling at the summit, sleepy lagoons and underground caverns of grottoes.

Such a mixture of gratifying and entertaining territories with regional and neighbouring diversity; amusing the imagination in us with thoughts of an age old history and living memories of a populace, who have inherited their forefathers hard labouring, to build this land that we now take for granted, that was once submerged beneath the waters thousands of years ago.

The colours and light upon this land transform with each sweep of the countryside and coastline; the horizons surprise our intuitive minds; astonishing even the architects and historians of this unpredictable region.

Villages that once survived autonomously; have provided a historically rich civilisation, transforming and marking this complex picture frame endowed with a colourful and often tragic history. Without leaving a stone untouched or allowing the land to suffer from lack of rain but generously enriching this fertile land with original and unique buildings from megalithic tombs to monumental stones; from masserie and casale to cathedrals, from abbeys to sanctuaries, from museums to grandiose property; villas to traditional buildings; trulli, lamie and casolare.

Puglia is a region to be visited during all four seasons with a meteorological climate encouraging the preservation of vast natural reserves and unusual animal and wildlife habitation, with a variety of flora and fauna, parks and thermal resources.

For a long-time, the first travellers to Puglia arrived as courageous adventurers uncertain of their welfare and destiny; today the visitor to Puglia does not come by accident but by simple choice. Curious and intrigued by an expanse of land solidly attached to Italy but offering an expansive connecting bridge; a stepping stone to Greece, Albania, and  the Orient.

Macy   

Last update : 08-06-2010 10:34

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