Castel del Monte

Among the castles built by Frederick II of Swabia in Apulia, Castel del Monte stands out. A masterpiece of medieval architecture, Castel del Monte was built by Frederick II of Hohenstaufen of Swabia, in the thirteenth century, precisely in 1240. It rises about 17 km from Andria on a hill chain of Western Murgia 540 meters high above sea level The castle is built directly on bedrock, outcrops in many places, and is universally known for its geometric perfection. Solemn and harmonious building with an octagonal shape with its eight towers of similar form at the edges, was erected as a hunting lodge or entertainment products on mathematics and astronomy. Castel del Monte is known as a national monuments and it is Unesco world heritage.
Opening hours:
1 March - 30 September: from 10.15 a.m. to 19.45 p.m.
1 October - 28 February: from 9.15 a.m. to 18.45 p.m.
Admission fee..

Swabian Castle of Trani

The castle of Trani is one of the most impressive examples of fortifications built in Apulia by Frederick II of Swabia. The construction, based on the coastline of the Adriatic Sea, was started in 1233 and completed, presumably in 1249. Located near the famous Cathedral of Trani, near the sea. Thanks to its location on the fringes of the city and thanks to the spectacular heights of its towers was possible to monitor the input port and the access roads to the village. In 1259 there was the wedding between Manfred, son of Frederick II and Elena Comneno, daughter of Michele II king of Epirus. Michael II of Epirus. The central courtyard offers a simultaneous reading of the three main phases of the history of the castle. Despite the succession of various dynasties the castle presents its history and its construction in a homogeneous and uniform way.

The Cathedral of Trani

The Cathedral of Trani, dedicated to St. Nicholas Pellegrino, is the queen of the churches of Apulia and is probably the most beautiful and celebrated Romanesque building. In this qualification has certainly contributed to the beautiful scenery in which it is: a beautiful large square directly overlooking the sea. Its construction is related to the history of St. Nicholas the Pilgrim, from the time of the Normans. The story of the building began in 109 and later it lived various stages of construction. The entire cathedral was built using the local stone of the city. In 2002 the Cathedral of St. Nicholas Pellegrino was proclaimed by UNESCO as " Messenger Monument of a culture of peace". Today is a holiday destination in the world.

The cathedral of Ruvo di Puglia

Known as the daughter of Trani Cathedral, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, is another of the most important examples of Romanesque period in Apulia. It was built between the 12th and 13th centuries. Numerous works of art there are: a wooden statue of St. Biagio, patron of the city, a silver reliquary of the Saint, a fresco depicting the Virgin with the Child and San Sebastian and the beautiful wooden crucifix of the 16th century. Underneath the church runs a real journey underground, where are the remains of Roman tombs and early Christian basilica.

Dolmen of Bisceglie

Interesting tombs of the Bronze Age, were established in Apulia, some of them in the countryside of Bisceglie. Those in the area of Bisceglie are four: of Chianca, of Albarosa, of Frisari and of Paladini. Dolmen della Chianca is the best preserved, and is the best known of the prehistoric monuments of Italy, and is the largest dolmens in Europe in size and beauty. Near Dolmen della Chianca, rises to that of Albarosa so called from the place where the same dolmen is located. This is a dolmen burial mound of a tomb that is placed under a heap of stones. Dolmen Frisari looks almost destroyed because of the time but unfortunately for the human hand. Dolmen of the Paladins, however, over the years has consistently kept all its features.

Le Saline - Margherita di Savoia

To the south of the Gargano , where the plain of the board meets the Adriatic Sea, there was originally a large coastal lagoon: Lake Salpi, the current Margherita di Savoia. In these environments, natural selection has given rise to a diversity and variety of hard to find in other ecosystems, more than half of the aquatic animals threatened with extinction in Europe, depend on wetlands, the preservation of these areas is an indispensable tool to ensure their survival. The wetland is a unique ecosystem, providing a migratory bird irreplaceable reference point. Particularly appreciated by naturalists, the area houses rare and beautiful pink flamingos. The wetland is of great interest for the presence of various aquatic birds. The salt of Margherita di Savoia is also of great importance. Not far away you can visit and walk through the natural park of Trinitapoli.