Traditionally the "land's end" that bridged Italy with the worlds of Greece and the Middle East, Bari has always been a proud city...
Successfully blending art and history, a contemporary spirit of business enterprise and a culture with roots going back to ancient time, the city enjoyed its "golden age" during medieval times, with the majestic Romanesque forms of the Cathedral and the Church of St. Nicholas bearing testimony to that period.
Traces of ancient contacts with the Greek world can be seen in the Archaeological Museum.
The same blend of history and art can be found in many other areas of Apulia, with their medieval cathedrals, such as those in Brindisi, Andria, Barletta, Trani, Ruvo di Puglia, Lucera, Troia, Manfredonia, Otranto, Gallipoli and so on.
Just as highly prized and exceptional is the flourishing of baroque architecture which visitors flock to see in the town of Lecce.
The Archaeological Museum in Taranto features exhibits from a distant yet fascinating past.
Alberobello, close to Bari, is the capital of the Trulli, dwelling places of unique architectural style dating back as far as prehistoric times.
And in terms of natural wonders, Apulia offers an extraordinary blend of mountains, woods and unspoilt sea, attributes which have made the Gargano promontory in the province of Foggia so well renowned.