Puglia

The first time I was in Puglia was with my Fiat Tipo, following a humanitarian convoy, to take the ship for Durrës in Albania at Brindisi. The next time I crossed this region again with my car to return to Brindisi, this time to take the ship at the port for Patras in Greece. On that occasion, having left the motorway, I passed through Molfetta and stopped at Giovinazzo, a characteristic centre of pale houses, where I went to visit a friend. I continued to Bari, where I visited the historic centre and the Basilica of St Nicholas before continuing south with short stops to observe the very white cubic houses of Polignano a Mare and Ostuni. I then reached the port of Brindisi to board. On my return from Greece I went back up as far as Alberobello to visit its famous trulli, characteristic round houses with steep stone roofs.

Further north, at Andria, I turned inland to visit Castel del Monte, a building whose image would some years later end up on the 1-cent euro coins. From outside this fortress, commissioned by Frederick II of Swabia, is very beautiful, set on a wooded hill; the interior, however, is rather bare. I returned to Puglia, to Giovinazzo, sleeping at Bitonto. Subsequently I made a trip with a friend and his car, visiting the Gargano. First stop at the Church of Padre Pio at San Giovanni Rotondo, then at the rock church of San Michele Arcangelo, then to Vieste for the night and dinner. The next day at Peschici and, having left the Gargano, at Bitonto, where we spent the night. The following morning we visited the Basilica of St Nicholas in Bari, then took the road home.