Puglia’s Must-Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites
While many people consider booking a holiday to Puglia in 2021 to enjoy the Italian way of life, try delicious foods and wines, or even just to relax on one of the fantastic beaches, anyone thinking of coming over for a stay should consider checking out some of the incredible landmarks here – namely, the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the region.
While there are many things for you to see and do here, the areas that have been awarded with the title UNESCO are often just a little bit more special, as this encourages the sites to be better preserved to keep the fantastic and timeless treasures around for us to gaze upon for years to come.
What’s on the Italian UNESCO World Heritage List?
You’ll find that the list is quite varied in this region, which is perfect for those who want to have the most interesting trip possible! There are many great sites on Italy’s list that come from Puglia – some of the best of which include:
The Trulli of Alberobello
One of the most famous of the region’s World Heritage sites has to be the Trulli, which has made the whole of Alberobello a UNESCO site. Thanks to the scenery and stone trulli huts, this village looks like it’s come straight out of a fairy tale. But, despite the enchanting looks, the history behind these beautiful, traditional homes is something far different. While there’s nothing to prove it, the most popular and feasible explanation is that because of the high taxation on properties at the time, the villagers created drywall houses that were easy to dismantle – making them perfect for avoiding taxes when it came to inspections.
Regardless of Alberobello’s history and how the huts came to be, they’re still one of the most iconic landmarks of the region – and if you’re looking to spend a day feeling like you’ve stepped into a magical land, this is the place to be.
Castel del Monte
In 1996, the towering 13th century castle known as Castel del Monte was added to the list of UNESCO’s sites. Located in Andria, near Bari, this beautiful and well-preserved fortress is an impressive structure that you simply cannot miss if you’re planning on making the most out of your time here. Built by Emperor Frederick II, it’s a symbol of how incredible Italy’s medieval military architecture was and offers a unique view into the past of this region. Even the shape of it is unique, which only adds to how majestic this magnificent building is.
There’s plenty of history to learn too, which you might be interested in looking further into if you want to understand how this castle came to be and what it has faced over its 7 centuries of life.
The Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo
Listed more recently than Castel del Monte in 2011, this incredible landmark is probably the least well known of the region’s UNESCO sites – although that doesn’t detract from the fact that it’s still worthy of being on the list for a variety of different reasons. Located towards the north of Puglia, this complex of holy buildings dates back to ancient times, with the first of them being constructed somewhere near 490 A.D. There are legends behind these beautiful religious sights and a long history for you to immerse yourself in if you’re interested – or you could simply visit and enjoy the beauty and atmosphere of the area.
Sassi of Matera
While not located exactly in Puglia, it is just outside of the region (right by Bari) and is well worth checking out if you’re nearby. The old city centre of Matera is one of Italy’s greatest World Heritage Sites, although like the Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo, it’s not as well known as you might expect. The best way to describe it is a Palaeolithic village carved from stone; a beautiful rock-cut settlement that is considered by many to be the best in the Mediterranean. This whole area offers you a chance to see what life might have been like more than 2000 years ago and even explore the old town, which is absolutely incredible by anyone’s standards, regardless of what you’re planning on doing during your Italian getaways.
Come with Travel Puglia to see the wonders of the region
If you’re visiting Puglia next year, you’re going to want to take a look at what we have to offer. There’s no other agency quite like us, which is why we’re often considered to have some of the best tours around Puglia.
We have been able to make many peoples’ holidays in Puglia special – and that could be because of the care we put into ensuring that each guest is comfortable every step of the way, or because of everything that our tours have to offer. Whether you’re interested in visiting local Puglian vineyards and wineries, or you want to spend some time exploring fantastic locations like Ostuni, Polignano a Mare and many more; you can rely on us to provide you with your perfect Puglian adventure.
We make a point of giving as much as we can to make each tour we do the best it can be, which is just one aspect of why you’re sure to enjoy your time here with us – so don’t miss out on the chance to come and visit, we’d be more than happy to have you!
