Postcards from Apulia 🖼⛪️🥘

Postcards from Apulia

Apulia, the “heel” of the Italian peninsula, is a beautiful place to visit and to discover, even for somebody who was born there and is supposed to have been exposed to these inspiring places on a daily basis. Sometimes one can take for granted there is something interesting to explore next to you, all is required is a little effort of curiosity and open-mindness. Recently, i have launched myself on a journey to explore interesting places nearby to where I was born and lived when i was a teenager, to appreciate their value and beauty and bring these to the attention of other travellers. In this sense, these scattered travelling notes want to get some interest in more hidden spots of beauty in Apulia. I am starting with some urban spots along the central coast of Apulia, around the main city of Bari, one town to the north, Barletta, and three smaller towns further south of Bari, Mola di Bari, Polignano a mare and Monopoli, plus the Florence of the South, Lecce.

The exploration of simple natural hideaways along the coast or the visit of an old church with several layers of history can be the starting points of unique adventures across most parts of Apulia. I am particularly inspired by the sea and love indulging in the discovery of the many colours of Apulian seascapes. The many natural ports along the coast have favoured the establishment of many fishing communities that are the source of fresh and varied produce all year long, to complement the great range of vegetables and cheeses that enrich the Mediterranean diet of this region.

Italians’ passion for food and cooking is notorious, probably because in Italian popular culture eating well is not just a response to a basic need but an essential element of enjoying life and socialising. The variety of food and cuisine to be found in all corners of the peninsula is also a reflection of centuries of fine elaboration with ingredients and preparations originated from around the world, assimilated harmoniously into the unique interpretation of taste and flavours that we now call Italian cooking. Apulia is no exception to this passion for food. The variety of fresh ingredients available all year round, form vegetable to cheeses and plenty of locally sourced fish and meat, is a guarantee of success with delicious preparations to be enjoyed with home-made recipes or in the many restaurants that continue and develop the great Apulian tradition for good food.

Apulia has always been a fertile ground for painters and sculptors of all times, who have been commissioned artworks and the construction of buildings to celebrate natural beauty and the colours of this rich land. One particular mention is due to the art of Giuseppe De Nittis, who was born in Barletta and then moved to Paris to become an inspired impressionist painter. His artistry was originally founded on the representation of rural landscapes, also from his native region.

Inaugurated in 1903 after five years of construction work and almost completely destroyed by a devastating fire in 1991, it took an enormous effort to be reconstructed and restored to its former glory. In 2009 the Teatro Petruzzelli, the cultural gem and largest theatre of Apulia, was re-inaugurated. The Petruzzelli Foundationo now manages the theatre and its artistic production that span to opera, ballet, prose, classical and more contemporary music.