TOUR ITINERARIES
Among Dolmens and Castles of Puglia

The aid given from Puglia to Italian prehistory and history is really unbeliavable.
Some important archaeologic sites, expecially in the area of the Murgia of Bari and of the south-east of Foggia, have caused the rediscovery of a new interest to our ancient origins. This is why there is a great promotion of cultural tourism, that has chosen the region of Puglia in the last years as one of the favourite places to visit.
Our itinerary starts scouting the ancient Dolmens, that are megalithic monuments. In our territory we have some precious examples of that.

Leaving from Bari, after about 18 km, you get to Bitonto and then you go on toward Giovinazzo-Molfetta. After about 7 km, near the A14 motorway access, you can see the Dolmen of Giovinazzo, a tunnel grave 17 metres long, made up of different stone slabs that stand vertically in the ground and above which there are three horizontal slabs.

Pictures: Paolo Digiuseppe

If you go on this itinerary, you can get the motorway to Molfetta and stop at Chianca service area. There is the most famous megalithic monument of Puglia, the Dolmen of Chianca, from the Age of Bronze. Three vertical slabs about 1,80 mt hold the monolithic roof stone (3,85 x 2,40)

TRANI

Going on for about 30 km, turning on the A14 motorway, we get to Trani, one of the most active seaports of Puglia. This is an important economic but expecially touristic centre, because of its old town rich of churches and stately palaces, and of its picturesque dock, from which you can see a lovely scenery of noble XVIII cent. buildings.

Pictures: Paolo Digiuseppe

Anche a Trani è possibile ammirare uno dei numerosi castelli federiciani delle terre di Puglia. Edificato nel 1233 e compiuto nel 1249, l'edificio presenta una pianta quadrangolare e costituisce uno dei maggiori esempi d'opera difensiva d'età sveva, nonostante le successive trasformazioni ad opera di Carlo I, Carlo II d'Angiò e di Pierre d'Angicourt. Adibito a carcere fino a pochi anni fa, il Castello è stato recentemente restaurato ed aperto ai visitatori.

Here you can see another of the many castles built in Puglia by Federico II. This was built in 1233 and finished in 1249. It has a squared plan and it is one of the best examples of defence constructions from the Svevian times, even though it was transformed by Carlo I, Carlo II of Angiò and Pierre d’Agincourt. Up to a few years ago it was a prison , but then it was restored and now it is possible to visit it.
 

Going to Canosa along the highway num.16 toward Barletta, you get to Canne della Battaglia archaeologic excavations. This place is famous for the historic battle between Romans and Carthaginians in 216 b.C. Canne is now one of the biggest archaeologic areas of Puglia, because of its Roman and Medieval findings and its big burial ground at the foot of the hill. There are graves of the time in which the ancient Canne, a Diocese seat, had its best magnificence.

Once left Canne, we go to Canosa, Canusium in latin, an ancient daunian centre that still keeps many evidences of that time, expecially funerary monuments. In via Cadorna there are three ellenic hypogeums, dug in the rock. The biggest one, called “Lagrasta” should date back to the IV-II century b.C.There is a passage that takes you to nine sepulchral rooms, ornated with architectonic motives and frescoes.
Another important archaeologic monument of Canosa is the brick Roman Arch, surrounded by many funerary monuments. From Canosa, in a short time (for 44 km along num.9 and num. 161 highways) , you can get to the ancient and suggestive Herdonia, near the modern Ordona. It is on the Via Traiana and there are precious findings from pre-Roman and Roman culture.
The Forum Square is a real gem. It is surrounded by a portico dug in the hill rock.. On its sides there are the Augustan Basilica, the Republican Temple and the circular Public Market.

Our itinerary ends up to the stately and suggestive Castel del Monte. It is on top of a big hill on the beautiful Murgia area, very closed to Andria. It is 540 mt above sea level and it represents the most important model of architecture from the time of Federico II in Puglia.

The castle was built for the will of Federico II of Svevia in 1229-49. Its charming structure has Gothic-Romanc elements, but there expecially are Arab and Cistercian culture signs. Those two cultures were very appreciated by the Emperor and they think that this castle, a symbol of Federico II’s ambition, was not built as a defence site but to celebrate his temporal power.
The beauty of the building is amazing. It has an octagonal plan and eight octagonal towers. Between any pair of towers there are one and two lancet windows, in the fortalice curtain, and a frame that divides the two internal floors. Inside, even the wide yard has an octagonal plan. Climbing up a steep winding staircase, you get to the first floor. The stairs are covered and orned with polychrome marble and there are coral breccia windows, from which you can see a suggestive scenery that goes from the Tavoliere to the Murge.

Texts: Italiainrete - Pictures: Database and web

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