History
Thanks to its proximity to the sea, Monopoli boasts ancient origins. The first recorded village dates back to the Bronze Age, later integrated into a Messapian city, also equipped with defensive walls. The arrival of the Romans brought a boom in trade and economic development to Monopoli, and a monumental gate that can still be admired today, later becoming an important part of the 16th-century castle.
Like all southern cities, Monopoli has also seen the advance of foreigners who have left significant traces of their passage. The city is the last port south of the land of Bari. Since the Crusades, it has been one of the most important ports in the south, and this is precisely what allowed it to grow during the Middle Ages, bringing economic and cultural enrichment.
The constant artistic transformation and the incursions of the Turks and Venetians, who partly destroyed the city, were, however, detrimental to the traces of its ancient past, which were almost lost.
The city's great fortitude is evident in a curious little story involving the humble people of this land. In 1529, the Marquis of Vasto, returning from Tuscany, decided to attack Monopoli, for no apparent reason. He subjected it to heavy bombardment, which is still visible on a section of the city walls. Three months later, the Angevins forced the Marquis to leave the city. In 1530, the fiefdom became the personal possession of Charles V, who decided to sell it to a Marquis of Messina. At this point, the people, tired of these powerful men, taxed themselves, thus managing to collect small tributes that allowed them to regain their freedom.
Castle of Charles V
The Angevin fortress of Monopoli was built on the furthest strip of land that slopes towards the sea. This was not an unusual choice for the city; in fact, an Aragonese-era fortress, an ancient Roman tower, and the small church of San Nicola in Pinna were previously built on the same site. The church was buried to make way for the 16th-century castle and, unwillingly, became the fortress's chapel.
A round tower was later added to the castle's main entrance; the right tower, however, contains the recess for the drawbridge.
The castle has a pentagonal plan with a tower at the corners and is on two levels. The first floor is currently used for exhibitions and conferences and houses the weapons room, with the cannons still in place. The ancient gun ports have been placed along the walls, inviting visitors to look through and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
When the need for defense ceased, the fortress became a castle, and its right wing was adorned with noble motifs and decorations. Under the bastion's loggia, you can still see the stone coat of arms of Viceroy Don Pedro del Toledo, who built the castle.
The Cathedral of Monopoli
Monopoli Cathedral has a fascinating and evocative history. The current cathedral was built in 1742 and replaced the small medieval church commissioned by Bishop Romualdo and Robert of Hauteville. The previous building was a small three-nave basilica with a roof made of wooden logs. The shrubs used to cover the interior of the church were Aleppo pines; legend has it that they arrived in 1117. They were a small pile that, acting as a raft ("madia"), carried a painting of the Madonna blessing with Baby Jesus in her arms, later known as the "Madonna della Madia," to shore. When the small church began to be insufficient to accommodate all the faithful, it was decided to completely rebuild the place of worship. Work began in 1741 and was completed in 1772. The new cathedral was built in the Baroque style, and the painting is still preserved inside today. Monopoli Cathedral is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful religious buildings in the region, both for its exterior and for its sumptuous interior, rich in polychrome marble.
The diocesan museum, established in 2002, houses numerous replicas of the icon of the Madonna della Madia. It also houses an important collection of Venetian Renaissance paintings, with works ranging from Jacopo Palma the Younger to Francesco Vecellio, Titian's brother.
The little church of Santa Maria degli Amalfitani
The little church of Santa Maria degli Amalfitani is a secluded place, yet full of intense charm, especially in the underground spaces that hark back to an archaic and rustic past.
This small church is a votive offering from a group of sailors who, having escaped the fury of a storm, reached the port of Monopoli and stopped to pray in the crypt, a place of worship previously established by Basilian monks. In fact, delving a little deeper into history, the church recounts events linking Monopoli to Amalfi: in fact, the ship departing from Campania was not coincidentally in Apulian waters. At a time of maritime supremacy, Venice decided to exclude Amalfi from trade with the East, and some of its inhabitants, to compensate for the shortage, decided to move to this part of Puglia. For this reason, Monopoli also hosted a small community outside its walls.
The original structure consisted simply of a crypt, over which a small church was later built, commissioned by the Amalfi shipwreck survivors. The 1932 renovations left only a portion of the original sculptural decoration.
Today, the Amalfi Church is a popular venue for intimate ceremonies and occasionally hosts classical music concerts and small exhibitions.
