Since early history, the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Normans and Spanish have all left their mark on Puglia.   A short walk through the region's capital Bari, once a Byzantine port city whose reputation was as richly enticing as Puglia's gastronomy, will leave any visitor eager to explore more of this region's unspoiled treasures.

Bari

	Medieval Old Quarter or Citta Vecchia.
	Basilica San Nicola, located in the Old Quarter.   It contains the relics of its patron, Saint Nicolas, otherwise known as Father Christmas!
	Norman Castle. This is Bari's biggest fortification, built to defend the city during its tumultuous past.
	Castel del Monte.   A UNESCO heritage site since 1996, the castle is one of the finest in Europe and mixes Classical, Muslim, Oriental and northern European Gothic styles

Alberobello
Situated on two hills, the town is divided into old and new.   The old town, on the western hill, is made up of line upon line of Puglia's famous trulli and subdivided into two districts: Monti and Aia Piccola, both of which are UNESCO world heritage sites.

Brindisi

	Duomo Cathedral. Constructed in 1132, this remarkable church was then rebuilt after the earthquake of 1743 and underwent further restoration in 1957. .
	Svevo Castle stands on the shore of the old city of Brindisi.
	Via Appia Column.   In the 2 nd century AD, two columns were built to mark the end of the Imperial Roman Road that led from Rome to Brindisi.   Only one survives with the base of the second next to it, reminding visitors of the importance of this port town.

Lecce
The city is built almost entirely from pink-hued limestone. Its Cathedral is just one example of the baroque architecture that Lecce is famed for.

Itria Valley
This wine-producing valley is also home to some of Puglia's most picturesque villages: Martina Franca, Cisternino, Locorotondo and Ostuni all exude Mediterranean charm from their whitewashed walls, winding cobbled streets and wrought-iron balconies.

Whether you choose to visit Puglia during the warm spring and summer months or opt for an off-season break to benefit from its mild winters, the calendar of regional festivals will ensure that there is plenty to do and see. There is something for everyone: gastronomy, sport, music and rich local pageantry.

January
Puccia all'Ampa Festival, Novoli
Puccia dell'Ampa is a type of flat bread made with durum wheat flour. It is baked a few minutes on each side in a wood-burning oven. After baking, it is filled with pickles or mature Ricotta cheese.

March
Jazzos Live
Jazzos Live brings jazz music and concerts to the Politeama Italia in the small city of Bisceglie.

June
Rally del Salento
The Rally del Salento in Lecce is part of both the Italian and the European Rally Championships. Organised by the Automobil Club Lecce, it is a classic and one of the oldest races in Italy.

Miami International Piano Festival
The Miami International Piano Festival presents a festival and symposium in the beautiful baroque city of Lecce.

July / August
Pulsano Jazz Festival
The concerts take place on the picturesque Piazza Castello and all of them are free!

Valle d'Itria Festival
The Valle d'Itria Festival is an annual opera and classical music event held in the town of Martina Franca, right in the middle Puglia.

Frisella Festival
(Putignano, Laterza and Acquarica, Maglie, Melissano Marittima, Collepasso, Leverano)
Frisella (also known as frisa or friseddha ) start out as a bread ring or bun, which is taken out of the oven halfway through cooking, sliced through the middle, and then put back in the oven and baked again until crisp. It is dampened slightly with water before being eaten, and is served with cherry tomatoes, oil, oregano, and salt.

Torneo di Reoni
The city of Oria re-enacts the historical procession and the tournament of the districts ordered by Frederick the Second when he passed through the city in 1225.

December - February
Putignano Carnival
The Putignano Carnival, with its famous parade of papier-mache floats, is both the longest and one of the oldest carnivals in the world.