Polignano a mare

Polignano a Mare is about a 15 minutes drive from Monopoli and about 34 Km south of Bari on the S16 coastal road. Built on the edge of a ruggy ravine pockmarked with caves. The town is thought to be one of the most important ancient settlements in Puglia and was later inhabited by successive invaders ranging from the Huns to the Normans. On Sunday the loggia (balconies) are crowded with day trippers from Bari who come here to view the crashing waves, visit the caves and crowd out the cornetterias (shops specializing in Italian croissants) in the atmospheric centro storico.

We parked our car away as we knew there would not be any parking in the historic center. On our way there were a bunch of tents along the road with lots of vendors.

Mostly souvenirs and jewelry shops.

Lots of people going to the historic center.

We took the Porta Vecchia/Arco Marchesale, the old gate and impressive arch to the old town.

The Porta Grande was built during the renovation of the city walls of Polignano in 1530. It was the only access road to the village and the urban structure of the city. There was also a drawbridge placed outside the door whose holes are still visible. The arch was structured with a barrel vault in which there was also a canvas depicting the Crucifixion of Christ.

We are now inside the historic center on Vico San Martino

Whitewashed buildings.

Panoramic view of the square.

We were wandering around and it lead us to a charming square

We are now on the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II

The 18th century Palazzo dell'Orologio, former seat of the University, in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II. This owes its name to the mechanical clock that was installed in the second half of the 18th century to replace a sundial. In a niche above the clock stands the statue of San Vito , the patron saint of the city. Below the clock is the coat of arms of Polignano a mare (a sea falcon resting on a green rocky mountain).