Explore UNESCO World Heritage in Italy’s Puglia Region
At the heart of the Mediterranean region of Puglia, amidst picture-postcard landscapes with beautiful coastlines, a magical combination of artifacts, history, art and unspoilt nature can be found. Each of the region’s six provinces (Bari, Brindisi, Foggia, Lecce, Taranto and Barletta-Andria-Tran) offers visitors a wonderful experience. In addition to its many historical cities and towns, Puglia is also home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites newly launched on Google Arts & Culture.
Castel del Monte
Castel del Monte, located to the south of Andria, is a masterpiece of medieval architecture which stands on a rocky hill that rises above vineyards, olive groves, forests and fields of orchids.
It is an unusual and unique construction. Its location, perfect octagonal shape and mathematically precise layout, along with the harmonious blending of Northern European, Muslim and classical cultural elements is a unique reflection of the broad education and cultural vision of its founder, Emperor Frederick II.
St. Michael's Cave at Monte Sant’Angelo
Monte Sant’Angelo is one of the places of power that testify to the high achievement of the Lombards, who migrated from northern Europe at this UNESCO World Heritage site. As a sanctuary dedicated to the Archangel Michael, it was a destination for pilgrims, saints, kings, popes, historians and crusaders. Beyond the courtyard at Monte Sant’Angelo, the magnificent bronze doors open into the basilica with the imposing Grotta di San Michele Arcangelo at its center.
The Trulli of Alberobello
The Trulli of Alberobello is located in the Itria Valley in southern Italy. Alberobello is a small town which is famous for its distinctive cone-roofed stone buildings, known as trulli. They are remarkable examples of dry-stone construction, a prehistoric building technique still in use in the region.
Inside the Trulli of Alberobello
Humans began to settle along the Itria Valley, and in Alberobello in particular, around a thousand years ago. It is more than likely that the construction of the trulli (in singular, trullo) began around this time, however the origin of their shape goes back much further.
I invite you to explore our World Heritage sites in UNESCO’s collection, alongside more newly launched World Heritage sites from Mongolia, Hungary, Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Spain, including the recently inscribed prehistoric site of Talayotic Menorca in Spain.
