Puglia is the land of two seas being a peninsula flanked by the Adriatic and Ionian seas. The region boasts one of Europe’s  finest climates along with one of the most relaxed paces of life in Italy. These factors coupled with the extremely friendly “Pugliese” people, excellent cuisine and an abundance of culture make Puglia a joy to be in.

The southern half of Puglia (in which our company specialises) is the Salento region. The main cities are Brindisi (the most convenient airport is there) and Lecce. Going down from Brindisi to Lecce is Salento Alto, while from Lecce down to the tip of the peninsula where you find the exclusive town Santa Maria di Leuca is Salento Basso.  

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Lecce, “The Florence of the South”, is the cultural capital of Puglia. It is a university city full of atmosphere within its winding maze of  tiny streets where the splendours of Salentine Baroque can be admired. There is a church or monument at every angle. Lecce is alive with entertainment ranging from theatre to excellent restaurants and art galleries to lively bars. 

Shopping is also a must in Lecce, be it for designer goods in its exclusive shops or bargains at the daily market. Most who go to Lecce fall in love with the city at first sight.

Brindisi is a vibrant port city. The old centre “centro storico” is full of historic churches, monuments and of course restaurants. The promenade boasts beautiful views and leads to the yacht club. Whilst Lecce’s atmosphere is added to by the various students from around Italy, Brindisi has a constant flow of travellers coming and going from Greece. While nobody would ever try to put Brindisi on a parallel with Lecce it is a fantastic city with  tons of charm and the advantage of being on the sea.

Other important towns in southern Puglia include Ostuni “The White City” close to Alberobello, the heart of the Trulli region. Also Otranto on the Adriatic and Gallipopi on the Ionian sea, both of which are fishing ports and very popular with visitors.

Also, don’t forget, when eating out Italians like to drive into the countryside where some of the best local cooking can be found in restored masserie now with accommodation and restaurants.

The “Pugliese” are fantastic people. They are very hospitable, generous and kind. These are qualities they are very proud of. When you move to Puglia you can find the locals will invite you time and time again for dinner in their home and you will be lucky to pay for a drink in your local bar for at least a year. Qualities which are quite rare now in northern Italy.  

Brindisi (PUGLIA)

Situated on the Adriatic coast of the Salentino peninsula, the oldest part of the town stands on the promontory jutting into a sheltered bay, while the new town, characterized by its regular layout, has spread inland.

Once a Messapico centre, its importance increased under Roman influence (3rd century BC.), when it was known as Brundisium, and it became the principal Roman seaport for the east, linked to the capital by the Via Appia. After the end of the Western Empire, it was dominated by the Goths, Byzantines, Lombards (duchy of Benevento) and again by the Byzantines, and frequently raided by the Saracens. Robert Guiscard captured it for the Normans in 1071, and from that date it shared the vicissitudes of the Kindgom of Sicily, without diminishing in importance as a port. It became part of Italy in 1860.

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The principal monuments are: the church of S. Giovanni al Sepolcro (Romanesque, 12th century), the Castello Svevo (of 13th century origins), the church of S. Lucia or the SS. Trinità (of Romanesque origins, with a 8th-9th century frescoed crypt), the church of S. Benedetto (11th century with later additions)  and its fine 16th century cloisters, the Duomo (originally Romanesque, reconstructed in the 18th century, mosaic floors), 

the Roman columns (1st-2nd century BC.), Palazzo Montenegro (17th century). Two kilometres away stands the church of S. Maria del Casale (Romanesque-Gothic, 13th century), with Byzantine-style frescoes.The economy of the city is based on the traditional port traffic, especially shipping to Greece and the importation of oil-related products, the raw materials for the large chemical works, the city's principal industrial enterprise and one of the most important in the region. Other developed industries include engineering, textiles, construction materials and the transformation of agricultural products (wine, pasta and oil), allied to the high output of the inland areas.

Events: Sagra del melone (August), Festa di S. Teodoro (August), Processione del Cavallo Parato (procession, Corpus Domini).

Cultural Institutions: State Archives, Biblioteca Arcivescovile, Provincial Library, Provincial Archeological Museum (ancient Pugliese and Greek cultures).

In the Province: Oria (the Frederick II parade, August), Ostuni (an interesting town), Marina di Ostuni (seaside resort), Torre Canne (spa), Fasano (archeological museum), Mesagne di Egnazia (archeological museum), Ceglie Messapico (rural centre).

tree-lined avenues.  Once a Messapico settlement, it became an important Roman municipium, known as Licea. After the end of the Western Empire, the town was dominated by the Goths and then the Byzantines, till roughly the middle of the 11th century, when the whole of Puglia was conquered by the Normans. Later the fief of various overlords, it shared the vicissitudes of the Kingdom of Sicily (later known as the Kingdom of Naples and the Two Sicilies) until the unification of Italy in 1860.

The monuments include: the Roman amphitheatre (2nd century AD.), the Roman theatre of the same period, the church of SS. Niccolò e Cataldo (originally 12th century, with Baroque façade), and adjacent 16th century cloisters; the Duomo (originally 12th century, rebuilt in Baroque style) at the base of the towering campanile (17th century), with the nearby seminary (17th-18th century); the church of S. Croce (16th-17th century), one of the most important examples of Lecce Baroque; other churches also are Baroque (S. Angelo, S. Chiara, S. Matteo, del Carmine, etc.) as are a number of civil buildings particularly the Palazzo del Governo, with an ornamental 17th century façade. Two kilometres away lie the excavations at Rudiae (a Messapica and Roman town).The town's economy is still based partly on agriculture and related activities, including the transformation sector (viticulture-winemaking, pasta, oil and tobacco manufacture). The other industries (engineering, furniture, construction materials) are of less importance. However, in the service sector, Lecce is a prominent cultural and administrative centre (university).

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Events: Festa di S. Oronzo (26th August), with the Palio (horse race); Shepherds' Nativity Exhibition and Market (December).
Famous People: Gabriele Riccardi (architect and sculptor, d. 1586), Giuseppe Zimbalo, called `Zingarello' (architect and sculptor, 1620-1710),Cesare Penna (sculptor, 1607-1697), Tito Schipa (tenor, 1888-1965).

Cultural Institutions: Academy of Fine Arts, State Archives, Centro di Studi Salentini, `T. Schipa' Conservatory, University, Provincial Library, Provincial Museum (archeological collections, Pugliese culture).

In the Province: Otranto, Gallipoli, S. Cesarea Terme, Leuca, Castro Marina, Galatina.

INVESTING IN PUGLIA

Puglia, in particular Salento, is seen by many, Italians included, as one of the best places in Italy to invest in property. Over the past years the region has been in constant development and seen a significant increase in tourism. This has also obviously resulted in increasing property prices.

No matter what type of  property you decide to purchase it will almost certainly be a sound investment. Puglia’s property prices are still a long way from their probable peak. Investing now could be comparable to buying in Tuscany in the early 1990’s. The “Pugliese” have only recently become aware of the surge of interest for country homes from Rome, Milan and overseas countries such as England and America. This has resulted in an increase in prices but it is only the beginning of what should be a similar market price trend to that of Tuscany.

As far as the cities are concerned, it has been the locals who have determined the increase in price. Lecce, for example, has seen prices spiralling over the past 5 years due to locals investing in the “centro storico” where beautiful baroque buildings had been somewhat neglected. Now the city is pristine and boasts house prices would have been considered ridiculous 5 years ago.

Recent statistics showed that prices of countryside residences such as “masserie” are showing a 15-20% increment. While these are seen as the best investment it must be taken into consideration that these are large properties (400 sq.m. approx) and a restoration project on a “masseria” is not for everyone. Restored masserie are harder to come by as people who have restored usually do not wish to sell.

Most of our clients opt for villas, ready to walk into, with only furnishing and maybe a swimming pool seen as further expenditure. These properties are usually located in tranquil countryside but minutes from local amenities, as well as usually being only a 15 minute drive from either Lecce or Brindisi. As an investment they are excellent, with a high rental potential if the buyer wishes to receive a return on his investment. Also with the constant surge of interest in Puglia they would be easy to resell at a far higher price over the coming years.

When buying a property most people want to know that their money is being well invested and that this will increase in value. They also want a permanent or holiday home which they love to be in. This is what Puglia presently offers.  

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