Polignano

Polignano is situated on a cliff straight to the sea, with its coves, inlets and caves. The territory of Polignano was inhabitated since the paleolithic age (Grotta dei Ladroni and Grotta del Guardiano); during the IVth century, B.C. was founded Neapolis Peuceta which became roman colony, used as granary for the roman empire army directed to the east. Polignano was episcopal see from the VIIth to the XIXth century, when the bishop moved to Monopoli.
The byzantine and longobard domination gave economic and commercial activity to the town that through the centuries faced various dominations as the whole southern Italy. Medieval origin, it is very well preserved and contains a paleo ethnologic museum; a civic libraiy; a conte mporary art and the Purgatory Church, with its marble altars and majolica floor.

In Vittorio Emanuele II place there is the former cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, with its precious sculptures from Stefano da Putignano; a monumental organ; a woody choir stall and other pieces of apulian art. A web of little streets take the visitors by the sea, where the cliffs and the coves offer a lovely view. During the summer there are many festivals where popular tradition, art and culture blend; the festa dell’aquilone” (the kite festival) and “sere magiche d’estate” (magic summer nights) are the main events of a wide list.