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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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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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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