APULIA’S MEDIEVAL WONDERS

Meet your private guide and driver at your accommodation in Bari and set off to enjoy a full-day tour of Apulia’s extraordinary medieval heritage.

Your first port of call is the quaint coastal town of Molfetta, set between the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea and a golden, green and hazel patchwork of wheat fields, olive groves and orchards. Molfetta’s harbour is the key to its fortunes and seafaring history. Thanks to its favourable position, the town is known to have been inhabited in ancient Greek and Roman times, though it was not until the Middles Ages that Molfetta truly thrived, becoming a prosperous hub for trade that successfully forged commercial links with Mediterranean superpowers such as Venice, Amalfi, Constantinople and Alexandria. Traces of Molfetta’s golden age still survive within the medieval layout of its historic core which you will have the chance to explore on a leisurely walk about town. Your guide will lead you on a trail through Molfetta’s narrow alleys and point out the main attractions: the two-towered Duomo of San Corrado, a harmonious blend of Byzantine, Romanesque and Arabic influences; the Baroque-style Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, housing the relics of the city’s patron saint; the 16th century Passari tower, built as a defence against pirate incursions. Make sure not to miss a visit to the fish market, offering a glimpse of the workaday bustle in this vibrant seaside town, before moving on to your next destination.

A 20-minute drive will bring you to Trani. Once a Roman municipium, Trani also reached the peak of its splendour in the Middle Ages. The city’s commercial power and financial wealth grew rapidly under the rule of the Normans and Swabians, leading it to become one of Apulia’s most affluent and influential trading centres. The abundance of olive oil and wheat triggered a profitable agricultural exporting activity and its port drew ships, merchants and wares from all over the Mediterranean giving impulse to lively commercial and cultural exchanges. Due to its strategic location along a natural bay, Trani was chosen as a major departure point for pilgrims and crusaders on their way to the Holy Land, adding to the city’s prestige. Here you may enjoy a pleasant stroll along the marina, take in the sights of pleasure boats and fishing vessels bobbing in the harbour, venture through the maze of streets in the old town and Jewish quarter and gaze round at the charming cream-coloured palazzi. Scenically set against the blue backdrop of the Adriatic Sea are the 13th century Swabian Castle and the 12th century Cathedral of San Nicola Pellegrino, one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture to be found anywhere in Italy.

After some free time for lunch, it’s time to visit Apulia’s most striking and enigmatic castle. Standing isolated in the countryside, on a hilltop 540 metres above sea level, Castel del Monte is an awe-inspiring sight. Castel del Monte was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 because of its “formal perfection and its harmonious blending of cultural elements from northern Europe, the Muslim world, and classical antiquity”. The castle was built in the 13th century at the request of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II of Hohenstaufen. Nicknamed Stupor Mundi, meaning “Wonder of the World”, Frederick II was a Renaissance man ahead of his time. Statesman, founder of universities and tolerant humanist, Frederick spoke several languages, was versed in a vast range of subjects, from geometry to falconry, and encouraged the development of the arts and the rediscovery of classical civilisations.

We owe the remarkable collection of fortresses scattered throughout southern Italy, the most intriguing of which is undoubtedly Castel del Monte, to his passion for architecture and building. Its unusual layout and particular position, along with the lack of defence structures, have fuelled countless theories about its purpose and underlying symbolism. The castle is octagonal in shape with eight octagonal corner towers and eight rooms on each floor, surrounding a central octagonal courtyard. Despite having been despoiled of its marble decorations, sculptures and furnishings, Castel del Monte’s interior is equally impressive, with its high vaulted ceilings, elegant columns, elaborately carved capitals and corbels. Historians agree this might have been Frederick’s private hunting lodge or a retreat for his enlightened meditations on mathematics and astronomy. However, the real function of this castle and its perplexing design are still shrouded in mystery… Enjoy unravelling possible solutions with your guide before returning to your accommodation in Bari.