Holiday apartment in Barletta-Andria-Trani – Castel del Monte and Murgia

In the Barletta-Andria-Trani area, a particularly striking testimony to medieval architecture leads directly into the Murgia landscape: Castel del Monte in Andria was completed in 1240. The structure rises on a rocky hill and overlooks the surrounding Murgia landscape. At the same time, Castel del Monte is regarded as a unique masterpiece of medieval architecture that combines cultural elements from Northern Europe, the Muslim world and classical antiquity.

Culture

The La Chianca dolmen is also one of the area's distinctive cultural monuments and is freely accessible. In Bisceglie, it is considered the best-preserved example of a passage tomb in an elliptical mound dating from the protohistoric period of the 17th to 15th centuries BC. Its structure includes a 10-metre-long access corridor.

In Trani, the Basilica Cattedrale di Trani represents Apulian Romanesque architecture and is regarded as an outstanding example of this style. During religious services, tourist visits to the Basilica Cattedrale di Trani are suspended. Also in Trani, Castello di Trani rises beside the sea; it is regarded as a symbol of the city's defence.

The cathedral of Andria houses the Holy Thorn, traditionally regarded as part of Christ's crown. The crypt contains two tombs identified as the tombs of Yolande of Brienne and Isabella of England, the wives of Frederick II.

History

In 2015, Palazzo Sinesi became the home of the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Canosa di Puglia. The museum's renewed exhibition explores the society of Canosa between the Archaic and Hellenistic periods. The Museo Diocesano San Riccardo offers a different historical perspective: through a chronological tour, it presents the history of the city of Andria and its diocese and provides access to its permanent exhibition route. In addition, the Museo Diocesano San Riccardo hosts temporary exhibitions and cultural events.

Nature

The Salina Margherita di Savoia combines the landscape of the salt pans with natural history and craft-related themes. The Sentiero Airone offers birdwatching in the salt pans; on the site, visitors can observe this activity as well as the salt production process and the work of salt workers. Salt from Margherita di Savoia is used for cooking and thermal treatments.

Hiking

The Percorso H hiking trail between Andria and Castel del Monte is 22 kilometres long in total. It begins at Chiesa Santa Lucia and can be reached by car via the Andria/Barletta exit of the A14 motorway. Between the two places, the Percorso H passes through a typical Murgia landscape with small agricultural areas characterised by olive and almond trees.

The direct selection of places in Barletta-Andria-Trani includes Barletta, San Ferdinando Di Puglia, Canosa Di Puglia, Margherita Di Savoia and Trani. Further destinations in the broader regional context are Taranto, Bari and Lecce.

For the broader travel overview: Apulia.