Local Information On Puglia (Apulia)
This page contains every thing you need to know about Puglia to help you plan your perfect holiday in Puglia (Apulia)
Please click on one of the items below to find out more.
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Gastronomy / Food and Wine | |
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Folklore | |
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Arts and Crafts | |
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Festivals, Concerts and Exhibitions | |
Climate of Puglia / Apulia, Southern Italy
Puglia benefits from a Mediterranean and a moderate climate all year round.
Temperatures in the summer months can reach up to 40°C. Even though the winters can be chilly there are always blue skies and sunshine!
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Gastronomy / Food and Wine - Puglia
Italy is renowned world wide for its food and wine. Much of its produce originates from Puglia. The landscape of Puglia is made up of Olive trees, vineyards, pulses and nut trees and fertile grounds producing speciality vegetables.
Olive oil production is one of Puglia's oldest industries and contributes to
over 70% of Italy’s total Olive Oil production and 15% of the worlds production. Varieties
range from Sansa, a basic and cheap olive oil generally used for cooking, to Affiorato a more
expensive and higher quality non filtered olive oil. There are many varieties of olives, such as
the cerignola olive, a large green olive, is typical of the type of olive found in Puglia.
Puglia is now emerging as one of Italy’s best wine producing areas. Many vineyard
owners traditionally produced wine for their own consumption, but have now entered into the
commercial market and their wine is now exported world-wide. Many cantinas are based in
Alberobello, Locorotondo and Martina Franca.
If you are interested in the local wine and its production, Pure Puglia can
organise a wine tasting experience with the opportunity to buy at discounted prices.
Puglia produces a wide range of pulses, nuts and vegetables. Sun dried tomatoes,
artichokes, balsamic onions and melanzane and zucchini are a local speciality.
A wide range of nuts including almonds, pistachio and hazelnuts and pulses
including ceci, fave, cannelini and borlotti beans are grown in the area and can be bought from the
local markets.
Speciality liqueurs and grappa are also one of Puglia’s popular produce. Liqueurs are
usually made from fruit including melon, fig and bilberries or nuts such as almonds and hazelnuts.
They are sold in enoteca and gift shops and the owners will usually offer some for you to taste
when you go in their shops.
The best way to experience all of these produce are in an antipasto or apperitivo in the
renowned restaurants, trattorias, osterias and bars of which Puglia has hundreds!
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Folklore in Puglia / Apulia, Southern Italy
Folk dancing is one of the oldest traditions in the Puglia area. Alberobello has its own Folk Group who have kept the tradition alive through passing it down through the generations.The group have travelled all over the world to perform and an annual festival is held in Alberobello in celebration. (See Festivals and Concerts for more details).
Arts and crafts in Puglia / Apulia, Southern Italy
Many traditional arts and crafts are still produced with skills passed onto younger generations. Wool, cotton, linen items in traditional and embroidered designs are made and sold locally in the gift shops.Crafts using the special “Chiancarelle” stone found in the quarries in the Apulian countryside are used to make miniature Trulli and souvenirs. Visitors are available to buy their own piece of authentic Trulli stone!
Ceramics and pottery are produced in the town of Grottaglie and are known for their famous cock motif and many crafts are still made from olive and cherry tree wood.
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Festivals, Concerts and Exhibitions in Puglia / Apulia, Southern Italy
There are many festivals, exhibitions, open-air concerts and religious celebrations held in Puglia throughout the year. It is certainly worthwhile coinciding your holiday with some of these events.Carnevale Putignano Carnival (first weekend in February)
Carnevale is a national Italian holiday celebrated all over Italy. The best carnival of the Puglia region is held in Putignano, with Costumes, concerts, street markets, a large award winning parade with impressive and fireworks.
St. Nicolas Bari Festival (7/8/9 June)
A traditional baresi festival held in honour of St. Nicola the patron saint of the city. Locals celebrate the recovery of the remains of St. Nicola, which were stolen and taken to Myra in 1087. Traditional costumes, live concerts, processions, parades, re-enactments, foods and market stalls are some of the major attractions during this three-day festival. Celebrations are based around the cathedral, mass and processions are held along the beach and a statue is taken out to sea and worshipped. It concludes with a large firework display on the last night.
Monopoli Festivals (July - Sept)
Monopoli hosts many festivals over the summer months, over 20 in total. Many are centred on food and wine. The main religious festival for St Maria Della Madia is held on the 15/16th of August. As well as all the traditional celebrations, a portrait of the saint is taken out to see by an extraordinary candlelit procession by boats.
Alberobello Folk Festival (first weekend in August)
Alberobello is home to one of the most famous Italian Folk Groups. Every year a Folk Festival is held inviting international folk groups from all over the world to perform.
The festival concludes with a performance by Alberobello’s own group “Gruppo Folkloristico Citta dei Trulli”. The festival is free and is set against the picturesque backdrop of the Trulli panorama.
Locorotondo Street Festival (16th August)
A large street festival held in the heart of the historical town centre, with a large firework display over the Itria Valley. It is held in celebration of St. Rocco one of the patron saints of the town.
Ostuni Festival and Procession (26th August)
Festival of St. Oronzo. A procession with horses and traditional costumed riders called the 'Cavalcata' who follow the statue through the small and climbing streets. Live bands, street decorations and markets create a unique town festival.
Alberobello Festival (27/28th September)
A town celebration in honour of the patron saints Cosma e Damiano. Decorations and lighting throughout the streets, with 24-hour mass, a firework display, live brass bands, street performers and a funfair are just some of the features of this festival. The main feature of this two-day celebration is the procession of the statues of the two saints with broadcasted mass and a large brass band. An ideal time to visit Alberobello.
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