During this terrible pandemic that is devasting Italy, I have decided to post some photo diaries of memories of Italy in its glory, as it was and as it will be again. My trip to Puglia with arsviva travel agency was one of the best vacations I have ever had. I was fascinated by the simplicity and elegance of the Apulian Romanesque style as I discovered churches and cathedrals in sleepy towns with picturesque, narrow streets. I loved the balconies of houses, adorned with plants or with architectural elements that I admired. Lecce was a Baroque gem. Its churches and cathedral were breathtaking, overwhelming with their beauty. Matera’s sassi quarters were so unlike anything I had ever witnessed – the sassi were some of the most intriguing sights I had ever set eyes on. Bitonto, Grottoglie, Canosa di Puglia, Ruva di Puglia, Barletta, Castel del Monte, Ontranto, Taranto, Trani – all these places and more became dear to my heart and filled me with so many perfect memories.

Altamura, Cathedral S. Maria Assunta ceiling

Door of Cathedral of S. Maria Assunta, Altamura

Exterior, Cathedral, Altamura

Interior, Cathedral S. Maria Assunta, Altamura

Exterior, Cathedral S. Maria Assunta, Altamura

Tympanium, Cathedral S. Maria Assunta

Stained glass window from cathedral in Altamura

Street in Altamura

Balcony in Bari

Balcony in Bari

Cathedral of S. Sabino, Bari

Church of Saint Nicholas, Bari

Street in Bari

Barletta Cathedral S. Maria Maggiore

Cathedral in Barletta

Cathedral S. Maria Maggiore, Barletta

Cathedral S. Maria Maggiore, Barletta

Cathedral S. Valentino, Bitonto

Romanesque mosaic in 12th century crypt of Cathedral S. Valentino, Bitonto

Street in Bitonto

View from Canne de Battaglia, ruins of ancient town Cannae and site of famous battle, August 2, 216 when Carthingians with Hannibal defeated Romans. About 130,000 men took part, and 60,000 died, including 80 Roman senators.

Cathedral S. Sabino in Canosa di Puglia

Bishop’s throne from 11th century in S. Sabino Cathedral, Bitonto

Exterior of Cathedral S. Sabino, Canosa di Puglia

Stained glass window in Cathedral S. Sabino, Canosa di Puglia

Castel del Monte

Castel del Monte

Castel del Monte

View from Castel del Monte

Grottaglie, Ceramics Museum at Castello Episcopio

Grottaglie, Ceramics Museum

Amphitheatre in Lecce

Cathedral S. Maria dell’ Assunta, Lecce

Cathedral S. Maria dell’ Assunta, Lecce

Lecce, Cathedral S. Maria dell’ Assunta

Stained glass window at cathedral in Lecce

Church in Lecce – Sorry, I don’t remember which one.

Church in Lecce

Church in Lecce

Roman theatre in Lecce

S. Croce Church in Lecce

S. Croce Church in Lecce

Cathedral Madonna della Bruna in Matera

Cathedral Madonna della Bruna in Matera

Cathedral Madonna della Bruna in Matera

Cathedral Madonna della Bruna in Matera

View from Sasso Caveoso in Matera

Sasso in Matera

Sasso in Matera

Sasso in Matera

In Sasso Caveoso in Matera

View from Sasso Caveoso in Matera

Molfetta

Molfetta

Calm sea in Molfetta

Molfetta, Cathedral S. Corrado, built from 1150 to end of the 13th century

Otranto, Basilica S. Pietro

Otranto, Cathedral S. Maria Annunziata

Mosaic floor from 1163-1165 of cathedral in Otranto

Interior of Cathedral S. Maria Annunziata, Otranto

Rosette window of Cathedral S. Maria Annunziata, Otranto, from 16th century

Ruva di Puglia

Ruva di Puglia, S. Maria Assunta Cathedral

Castle, Taranto

Cathedral S. Cataldo, Taranto

Cathedral S. Cataldo, Taranto

Cathedral S. Cataldo, Taranto

Cathedral S. Cataldo, Taranto

Cathedral interior, Taranto

Street in Taranto

View from Taranto

Trani, Cathedral S. Nicola Pellegrino

Trani, Reliefs on door of cathedral, from 1179

Trani, 12th century reliefs on cathedral doors

Port in Trani

Street in Trani

 

Tracy A. Burns is a writer, proofreader and editor in Prague.