There are 14 cities all over the Puglia belonging to the Club “Borghi più belli d’Italia”, an association of small Italian villages of less than 15 thousand inhabitants and which preserve a historical, artistic and traditions heritage.
Locorotondo is one of the most interesting to visit, with its charming and rounded old town, which is the origin of the name, a well-preserved Medieval village characterized by the “cummerse”, that is to say two-storey houses with pitched roof built with chiancarelle stones. The promenade (with no sea indeed) offers a stunning overview on the Itria Valley, with groves and vineyards, typical dry-stone walls and trulli.
A short distance is Cisternino, that shows a whitewashed historical centre, with alleys, small squares and defensive towers. A fantastic landscape of the Apulian countryside of the Murgia dei Trulli can be admired from the Belvedere and the public gardens. When in Cisternino, you cannot miss the typical barbecue restaurants, where to taste grilled meat such as “bombette” (rolled meat filled with cheese, or vegetable or salami…), “gnumeredd” (skewers of lamb or goat innards), lamb meat, sausage.
In 2021 joined the Club of Borghi più belli d’Italia Alberobello, the renowned city of trulli, declared Unesco World Heritage Site in 1996. And recently, in the 2023, Sammichele di Bari (BA) has also been chosen, known for the characteristic rolled up Zampina sausage.
In Salento one of the most beautiful small villages in Italy is Otranto, a town with a long history and a Medieval hamlet still enclosed among the massive walls. Walking along narrow streets and visiting the precious Cathedral, the Aragonese Castle, the Alfonsina Tower and the fortified gateway you will be taken a step back in time.
Then, take a lovely stroll along the waterfront enjoying the enchanting panorama of the beach and the old city.
In the province of Foggia, instead, is Bovino, a centre of important Roman origin that includes as arts and cultural identity an 11th century dome with Romanesque and Byzantine elements and the Ducal Castle, with the remains of a Norman tower and located in a dominant position on the Valle del Cervaro.
The other listed towns are Alberona in province of Foggia, Maruggio in province of Taranto, Monte Sant’Angelo (FG), Pietramontecorvino (FG), Presicce-Acquarica in province of Lecce, Roseto Valfortore (FG), Specchia (LE), Vico del Gargano (FG).
viaggieitinerari... in Puglia by Valeria Dicarlo 