Puglia is like a beautiful and elegant woman who lacks nothing to be admired, one of those women who, when they enter a crowded room, stop conversations and capture glances with their gentleness and delicacy. Puglia beats in the Mediterranean like a heart in the chest of a man in love. It has always been a land of welcome and a bridge between diverse cultures. The multitudes of foreigners who have passed through have left seeds on its land that have germinated over time and whose colorful flowers we still admire today. We find their presence in the dialects, steeped in the languages of the peoples of the Mare Nostrum, and in the architecture of its palaces and churches. Puglia is, in fact, not only a land of sea and sun, but is to be admired as a sprawling museum that stretches from the northernmost point to the southernmost. Traveling this land means being led by the hand by traces of the past, being enchanted by myths and legends, sinking beneath towering cliffs and rising to golden sands, wandering among castles and cathedrals, principalities and marquisates, descending into the bowels of the earth, among the underground olive presses of Presicce, and resurfacing in the salt pans of Margherita di Savoia. Traveling in Puglia means losing yourself in a land that is both Western and Eastern. Traces of peoples who came from the East can be found in Byzantine crypts, in the cult of saints such as Saint Nicholas in Bari and Saint Hyppatius in Tiggiano, one of the oldest Eastern cults in Italy. Puglia is rich in history: in prehistoric paintings and treasures hidden beneath the earth. Dinosaurs and the many pilgrims who walked the paths of faith have left their footprints on its soil: the recent one leading to the veneration of Saint Pio, but above all the ancient one of the Via Francigena, which led from Normandy to the most extreme point of the peninsula, the sanctuary of the Madonna di Leuca, De Finibus Terrae, where the land ended and the unknown sea began. The religiosity of this land is imbued in its soul, the warp of a tapestry of mysticism and tradition that extends from the Good Friday processions in Taranto to the saints carried on the shoulders of the faithful: a sign of sacrifice and penance. Patron saint festivals are characterized by the art of illuminations and fireworks, and in Salento they are combined with the pressing rhythm of the pizzica. The perfect union of these two elements is achieved in the celebrations of the feast of Saints Peter and Paul in Galatina and the night of San Rocco in Torre Paduli. Art is Puglia's true jewel, its most famous cities are adorned with earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, flaunted with supreme elegance: the trulli of Alberobello, the whitewashed Ostuni, Trani, Otranto, and Lecce are just some of the region's most beautiful towns. But to discover the true treasures of this land, you must peek behind dusty doorways, slip between the half-closed gates of buildings, peer up at the baroque cornices and balconies finely carved from Lecce stone, enter dark churches, and admire the papier-mâché statues, sculptures by Bortone, and canvases by Palma the Younger and Catalano. At lunchtime, a magical aroma wafts through the alleys of Puglia's villages; sitting down at the table is a must, and letting yourself be lulled by the flavors of this land is a pleasure. The true king of Puglian meals is olive oil: the seasoning for the simple dishes of the country tradition. Raw and golden yellow against the red of the hanging tomatoes, on the crusty bread, poured neither too much nor too little, just the right amount, as in an ancient ritual whose secret is not revealed. The golden wheat adorns the countryside, becoming flour to be kneaded by the expert hands of women, along with water and salt, the main ingredients for making homemade pasta: sagne torte but especially orecchiette. In northern Puglia, they are served with turnip greens, but in Salento, orecchiette are faithful companions to macaroni and tomato sauce. The many DOC wines offer the perfect accompaniment to any meal. If we look beyond the face of this beautiful woman, beyond the jewelry, we must certainly focus on the dress: on the cobalt blue bodice of the sea, with its sheer cliffs, natural pools, and beaches; on the greenery of the parks and nature reserves that offer a unique biodiversity; on the coastal towers that abound in Southern Italy, defense posts yesterday, landmarks today. We must descend, along the ample skirt, to the vaporous and ancient charm of the masserie, citadels of yore, with ornamental balconies, gardens, and frescoed halls. They descend from the north, low and turreted, pass through the Bari area, whitewashed, and arrive in Salento, monumental and elegant. Puglia is a land waiting to be explored. In its most unexpected corners, it hides beauties and little gems. It is so rich that knowing it all is almost impossible, perhaps that is why it never ceases to intrigue and fascinate.
