Monopoli

Historic town and old port

On our first trip to the area we had a very relaxing afternoon in this town located about 40 kmm south of Bari on the Adriatic coast. We found a parking lot just outside the walls, and then walked into the centre along the protected port. We met some kids and and with our horrible Italian, and their broken English, we had a pretty good conversation joking around as to why they were not in school.

On our 2023 visit the town was just as enjoyable, and we enjoyed lunch in one of the piazzas, however, we noticed there were more tourists than how we remembered the town from our previous visit. More but no where near the crowds you can face in towns such a Florence or Rome. Just enjoy the town, the wallk along the water and the views of the sea.

The old town is a maze of narrow streets lined with both whitewashed and stone buildings.

In the centre of the old town is the Basilica of the Madonna della Madia, a large Roman Catholic cathedral. Work started in the 12th century; however, it had to be halted when they ran out of beams to support the roof. There were also debates and disagreement on the number of towers that should be part of the church. A tower did collapse, killing towns people, and in the mid 1700s the original building was demolished and a new baroque catherdral was built.

Along the old harbour is the Castello di Carlo (1544, a rebuilt of the original castle of 1414), the castles were built to defend Monopoli from pirates and attacks by the Spanish. The Spanish took over the castle, and the entire town, expanding the castle to accomodate their armies. Later, as with many castles, it was convered into a prison. Now it is a cultural centre and museum.

There is a beach just off the ramparts, the Cala Porta Vecchia. There is always people on the beach and in the ocean, but it is laid back.

One of the oldest churches in the town, the Chiesa di San Salvatore is along the walk from the cathedral to the old port. It is thought the church dates back to 313. It has been locked on any of the times that I have walked passed it. It is now used to host cultural events and concerts.