With the second event of SailGP Season 2 taking place in Taranto, we take a look at five can’t miss sights in Puglia, the region which plays home to our iconic host city.
The trulli of Alberobello
The trulli, small stone huts with iconic conical roofs, have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to the 15th century, the trulli were built following a ruling that houses must be designed without using mortar, which led to the iconic domed roof due to its self-supporting nature. There are around 1400 trulli amongst the streets of Alberobello.
Sentiero Airone Nature Reserve
Puglia surprisingly plays home to allegedly the largest colony of pink flamingos in Europe, despite them only nesting in Italy for a few decades. The Sentiero Airone Nature Reserve is where you can catch a glimpse of the flamingos – and also thousands of dinosaur footprints in the surrounding limestone caves.
Castel del Monte
A second UNESCO World Heritage Site in our list, the octagonal Castel del Monte was built in the 13th century and has been described as ‘the most fascinating castle built by Frederick II’, then Holy Roman Emperor. An octagonal prism with an octagonal tower at each corner, the Castel del Monte is a standout landmark in Puglia and remains in top condition.
Barocco Leccese
One of the most important cities in Puglia, Lecce has earned the moniker ‘The Florence of the South’ due to the incredible Baroque architecture it boasts. Like much of the region, the city has a storied history, and is famed for its olive oil and wine production.
Museo Nazionale Archeologico di Taranto
Based in the host city of the Italy Sail Grand Prix, the Museo Nazionale Archeologico di Taranto is regarded as one of the most important archaeological museums throughout all Italy. It hosts the largest collection of Greek terracotta figures in the world, and does much to tell the story of Puglia’s ancient history.
