- FEBRUARY 2018 -
Nature and Landscape
Gravina di Laterza The Arizona of Puglia
by Antonio Sigismondi The magnificent, wild Gravina di Laterza is part of the Terra delle Gravine regional natural park and contains flora and fauna of enormous scientific significance. The earliest human settlements in the area date back to 2000 B.C. and the urban center of Laterza, lying on the edge of the gorge, to around the year 1000 November 2017
Alta Murgia National Park The lost world of dry stone architecture
by Antonio Sigismondi A landscape with a unique identity, in the Alta Murgia, molded over the years by shepherds and farmers.Dry stone architecture, based on simple, age-old techniques, offers genuine works of art in an immense open-air museum March 2017
Majestic giants
A superb photo collection dedicated to Puglia’s age-old olive trees in the precious volume from publishers Artebaria of Martina Franca: Ulivi Monumentali di Puglia, itinerari tra gli ulivi millenari in terra di Puglia, by Giovanni Resta, with the collaboration of Michele Bruno.Text in Italian and in English and with images care of Resta himself, the volume reveals the author’s passionate love for these wonderful plants.
The itineraries on the trail of the most ancient and spectacular of trees wind in and out of eight different areas: Salento (Province of Lecce), Taranto, Brindisi, Ostuni, Serranova, Fasano, Monopoli and Gargano.
It is no wonder that these olive trees are being considered for status and recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage December 2015
Among the giants of Salento
A book with a vast array of images, entirely devoted to Salento's marvelous age-old olive trees, by Roberto Gennaio July 2015
Je suis “Ulivo” Let’s save Puglia’s olive trees
by Lino Patruno The heartfelt appeal of one of Puglia’s great journalists.The people of Puglia see the cutting down of their olive trees, the measure chosen to fight Xylella bacteria, as a brutality and olive-growers are calling for a return to ancient farming practices May 2015
Saline dei Monaci A sweet refuge for birdlife along the Ionian coast
by Emanuela Rossi and Salvatore Inguscio This wetland was where Benedictine monks settled and made salt probably as far back as the year 1000. It was being destroyed by cement and neglect.Thanks to the creation in 2002 of the Regional Nature Reserve, today it is a tiny paradise of flora and fauna September 2014
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It is edible and very tasty September 2014
Glaucous glasswort
by Piero Medagli Found in the Saline dei Monaci area, it is a salt-loving plant, very hard to tell from similar species.It is edible and very tasty September 2014
FAUNA
The flamingo
by Giuseppe La Gioia These magnificent big purple tinged birds are found in various parts of Puglia. In the Saline dei Monaci at Torre Colimena as many as five hundred of them have been seen together September 2014
Salento’s pajari When architecture is in harmony with nature
by Domenico Tangaro Constructed in dry stone, these fascinating rural buildings were used as shelters from the elements on farms.The architect Domenico Tangaro has depicted them, both in detail and immersed in the landscape, in a series of ink drawings May 2014
Amidst cave bats and magnificent vallonea oaks
by Francesco Minonne In the Regional Natural Park “Otranto-Santa Maria di Leuca Coast and Tricase Woods” some very interesting projects have been started for the protection of biodiversity, especially of the bats and the stunning monumental vallonea oaks, which are unique in the whole of western Europe March 2014
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The vallonea oak
by Francesco Minonne A majestic eastern tree in south coastal Salento March 2014
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The greater horseshoe bat
by Emanuela Rossi and Salvatore Inguscio This cave bat has a lively, combative nature, and a strange nose. Faithful to its mate March 2014
Litorale di Ugento nature park The Salento paradise for migratory birds
by Marco DadamoManager of the Litorale di Ugento Park Sandy shores, maquis and olive groves are its distinguishing features. But it’s the basins behind the beach that make it precious for the migratory birds that travel between Northern Europe, the Balkans and North Africa July 2013
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Cretan cornflower
by Fabio Ippolito and Piero Medagli The mystery of its presence in Salento, at Torre San Giovanni (Ugento), the only site indicated in Italy, in 1996 July 2013
FAUNA
Their favorite habitat is that of the basins on the Ugento coastline July 2013
The mute swan
by Giuseppe La Gioia One of the most elegant and best-loved birds, mute swans come to Puglia from central and eastern Europe in the coldest of winters.Their favorite habitat is that of the basins on the Ugento coastline July 2013
Margherita di Savoia salt flats The kingdom of birdlife
by Enzo Cripezzi It’s the largest salt flat in Italy, the most important in Europe, an international stopover for thousands of migratory birds.Frederick II probably went hunting with his hawks here June 2013
FAUNA
In the Margherita di Savoia salt flats more than 4,700 wintering birds have been observed June 2013
The avocet
by Giuseppe La Gioia It is one of the most elegant waders.In the Margherita di Savoia salt flats more than 4,700 wintering birds have been observed June 2013
Punta della Contessa Realm of rare plants and migratory birds
by Fabio Ippolito and Piero Medagli A regional nature park since 2002, the ponds and the salt flats of Punta della Contessa, while bordering on some mighty industrial works, constitute a precious habitat for migratory birds and rare plants April 2013
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In Puglia it is present in several places, amongst which “Saline di Punta della Contessa” April 2013
Hairy smotherweed
by Piero Medagli and Fabio Ippolito A minute, unremarkable, rare plant which is at risk of becoming extinct.In Puglia it is present in several places, amongst which “Saline di Punta della Contessa” April 2013
FAUNA
The great egret
by Giuseppe La Gioia In the migratory periods and in winter they can be seen in Puglia between Manfredonia and Margherita di Savoia and at Punta della Contessa April 2013
Porto Selvaggio and Palude del Capitano regional nature reserve A dive into beauty
by Emanuela Rossi, Salvatore Inguscio Archeological and paleontological treasures, rare plants and beautiful coastal towers, but, above all, breathtaking panoramas make the Porto Selvaggio regional park one of the most fascinating places in Puglia November 2012
FLORA
In Puglia it can be found in the Palude del Capitano and recently has been sighted in a new spot on the Adriatic coast November 2012
Sarcopoterium spinosum
by Fabio Ippolito It is an endangered species, on the National Red List.In Puglia it can be found in the Palude del Capitano and recently has been sighted in a new spot on the Adriatic coast November 2012
FAUNA
In 2007 some nests were seen in the Porto Selvaggio and Palude del Capitano nature reserve.
The females lay their eggs in magpies’ nests, and the magpies hatch them and take care of the fledglings November 2012
The great spotted cuckoo
by Giuseppe La Gioia It is on the Red List of threatened species.In 2007 some nests were seen in the Porto Selvaggio and Palude del Capitano nature reserve.
The females lay their eggs in magpies’ nests, and the magpies hatch them and take care of the fledglings November 2012
Bosco delle Pianelle at Martina Franca Amongst lovely holm-oaks and rare plants
by Piero Medagli The wood, characterized by magnificent, dense vegetation, stands within a Karst dolina.The author, an export botanist, has discovered the Saxifraga hederacea, a very rare species previously never found below an altitude of 800 metres October 2012
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Ingrassia’s Ophrys
by Piero Medagli Rare and extremely lovely, it has been found in only three locations, all in the territory of Martina Franca October 2012
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The robin
by Giuseppe La Gioia In Puglia robins nest in hilly or mountainous areas. But in fall and spring many can be seen migrating October 2012
The fig tree in Puglia: amidst “forgotten landscapes” and new fig groves
by Francesco Minonne Plants or dried figs were transported by ancient peoples across the Mediterranean basin.Few other fruit trees can bear the summer heat and salty atmosphere.
Its fruits are exquisite (and are of several varieties) whether fresh or dried July 2012
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St. John’s wort
by Francesco Minonne Known in dialect as fumulu it was used to prepare a grate for the drying of figs July 2012
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The sparrow
by Giuseppe La Gioia It is among the species most attracted to fig trees. For their shade and sweet fruit July 2012
Porto Cesareo Crystal-clear waters, precious seabeds and beaches to dream of
by Ferdinando Boero They are preserved thanks to the AMP, the Protected Marine Area.Apart from the amazing sea, a tiny but important museum of marine biology dedicated to the great scholar, Pietro Parenzan, and fishmongers, fish restaurants, fishing tourism... June 2012
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Plants and flowers of the dunes
by Fabio Ippolito The dune habitat, gravely threatened by human disturbance, has some extraordinarily interesting vegetation June 2012
FAUNA
The little tern
by Giuseppe La Gioia The protected area of Porto Cesareo among the sites in Italy where it spends the warm season and nests June 2012
Puglia’s fabulous olive trees Amidst history, nature and agriculture
by Gianfranco Ciola Around here the age-old olive trees constitute the oldest arboreal landscapes in existence.Boundless olive groves and Roman roads, stone settlements, ancient masserie and underground olive-presses: this is where the synthesis of the Mediterranean olive oil civilisation is to be found May 2012
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There are also numerous officinal plants, like the chamomile, and tasty wild edibles like spring onions, chicory and blackberries May 2012
Plants and flowers of the olive groves
by Piero Medagli Thanks to the declining use of herbicides and the increase in organic farming we are seeing the return of spectacular wild flowers in the olive groves of Puglia.There are also numerous officinal plants, like the chamomile, and tasty wild edibles like spring onions, chicory and blackberries May 2012
FAUNA
The hoopoe
by Giuseppe La Gioia It often frequents olive groves but also other types of environment May 2012
Rauccio Woods and Marshes regional nature park
by Vittorio De Vitis Not far from Lecce, on the Adriatic coast, an almost unique environment in the South of Italy, with shrub woodland and a lagoon with spring pools, canals and coastal dunes.Innumerable precious botanic species April 2012
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The saltmarsh morning glory
by Silvano Marchiori Individuated, in Italy, only in a few places in Puglia, Sicily and Lazio, it is at risk of extinction because its habitat is gradually disappearing April 2012
FAUNA
The badger
by Giuseppe La Gioia To be found in few places in Puglia, one of which is the Rauccio wood, it is difficult to observe and study because of its night-time habits and shy behaviour April 2012
The Otranto-Santa Maria di Leuca Coast and Tricase Woods regional nature park
by Francesco Minonne With more than fifty kilometers of coastline and 3.200 hectares of territory, it’s the largest regional park in the province of Lecce.A road with a myriad of twists and turns is the historic backbone of a breathtaking landscape. From the terraced olive trees to the sheer cliff faces over the sea, even its most secret corners are sights not to be missed March 2012
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The Leuca cornflower
by Piero Medagli Discovered by the Salento botanist Carlo Laicata in the 20s, it is a rare species that deserves protection and is found exclusively on the coast between the Cape of Leuca and Porto Tricase March 2012
FAUNA
In the Cape of Otranto, in the province of Lecce, dozens of specimens can be spotted in spring March 2012
The lesser kestrel
by Giuseppe La Gioia It’s a small falcon present in diverse regions in southern Italy whose numbers are diminishing and is therefore safeguarded.In the Cape of Otranto, in the province of Lecce, dozens of specimens can be spotted in spring March 2012
The Castellana Caves A spell-binding underground world
by Emanuela Rossi, Salvatore Inguscio The pearl of the system is the “white cave”; with its thousands of pure white concretions it is considered one of the most beautiful in the world.Many animal species, with morphological variations, have adapted to living underground in the dark February 2012
FAUNA
The habitat of an entire universe of creatures that have transformed their morphological features to ensure their survival is in the underground February 2012
Spelaeomysis bottazzii
by Emanuela Rossi, Salvatore Inguscio It is a stigobite crustacean, that is, a subterranean aquatic species, endemic to Puglia.The habitat of an entire universe of creatures that have transformed their morphological features to ensure their survival is in the underground February 2012
Terra delle Gravine nature reserve Among majestic canyons
by Martino Miali A breathtaking natural landscape: 60 canyons in two semicircles looking over the Gulf of Taranto, with abundant flora and fauna, many rare species, and stone settlements with priceless finds January 2012
FLORA
It flowers from the first days of July, and throughout the summer January 2012
The Apulian bellflower
by Silvano Marchiori It is a rare species, present, in Italy, almost exclusively in Apulia (from which it gets its name).It flowers from the first days of July, and throughout the summer January 2012
FAUNA
In the Gravine Park, for the first time in the world with this species, a re-introduction technique is being tried out January 2012
The Egyptian vulture
by Antonio Sigismondi It is a beautiful bird of prey and is at a high level of risk of extinction.In the Gravine Park, for the first time in the world with this species, a re-introduction technique is being tried out January 2012
The Umbra Forest Amidst rare plants and animals in the shade of the beechwood
by Piero Medagli It is the largest forest in the Gargano National Park. Centuries-old beeches, oaks, hornbeams, Turkey oaks, some of the oldest yews in Italy and a varied undergrowth. The fauna includes roe deer, wildcats and the very rare white-backed woodpecker December 2011
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The holly
by Silvano Marchiori It is widespread in the Gargano beech woods. It blooms from April to May to leave room for the lovely scarlet-red fruits December 2011
FAUNA
The population is dropping due both to poaching and also the poor state of the grazing land December 2011
The Gargano roe-deer
by Antonio Sigismondi They descend directly from those that were hunted by the Romans, and then by Frederick II.The population is dropping due both to poaching and also the poor state of the grazing land December 2011
Cesine nature reserve Paradise of flora and fauna
by Fabio Ippolito Because of its great biodiversity the area has been declared a “Wetland of International Importance” and a State nature reserve. The oasis, near Vernole, a few kilometers from Lecce, is managed by the Italian WWF, which organises eco-sustainable visits and events November 2011
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The silk vine
by Silvano Marchiori Very rare in Italy, it can be found on the Salento coasts, between Brindisi and Otranto, in the Cesine oasis and in very few other places November 2011
FAUNA
The coot
by Giuseppe La Gioia They are to be found in almost all the wetlands of Puglia. The Cesine Nature Reserve is one of their main habitats for wintering November 2011
The national park of Alta Murgia Between nature and history
by Fabio ModestiDirettore Parco Alta Murgia A vast territory predominated by its steppe, rich in splendid flora and fauna.
Millions of sheep used to be shepherded along its cattle-tracks and many millennia before that, at least five species of dinosaurs roamed the area.
From medieval traces of the presence of the wealthy Aragonese dynasty, to small villages which have sprung up along its borders June 2011
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Fairy flax
by Silvano Marchiori The magic of its spikes waving in the wind – Only in Apulia, Basilicata, and Sicily June 2011
Torre Guaceto Nature and culture between land and sea
by Fabio Ippolito A Nature Reserve and wetlands of International Importance spreads out around an old fortified tower. A few kilometers from Brindisi, flora and fauna of great interest and eco-sustainable activities flourish. April 2011
Flora