OUR BELOVED APULIA IN A DRIZZLE OF OLIVE OIL
Daunia of Apulia region gives our olive groves the ideal microclimate for the cultivation of the best olives
330 meters above sea level and continental Mediterranean climate represent the ideal conditions for the cultivation of high-quality olives.
A hilly area on the slopes of Subapennino Dauno sheltered by the Gargano and Vulture mountains, lashed by the Scirocco and Tramontana.
These are the factors that make our olive oil unique: Intense aroma and soft taste, complex but never excessive, rich in polyphenols and nutraceutical properties.
DAUNIA: LAND RICH IN PLACES OF ARTISTIC-CULTURAL INTEREST WHICH HAND DOWN ITS HISTORY AND ENHANCE THE BEAUTY.
Among these, Torre Alemanna and the Archaeological Excavations of Herdonia stand out.
Borgo Libertà stands at 3 km from Corleto and at 18 km from the city of Cerignola, along the provincial road 95 at the intersection of two historic streets that retrace the ancient path of the sheep tracks used during transhumance: it’s a very small rural hamlet of the second post-war period in application of the directives of the Land Reform.
In the township you can visit one of the most interesting monumental complexes built in Apulia by the religious-military Order of the Teutonic Knights in the thirteenth century: the Torre Alemanna.
The monument, with its 4500 square meters and the 24-meters-high tower, is the only fortified settlement linked to the emperor Frederick II of Swabia that still exists throughout the Mediterranean basin.
Its current conformation, which has remained almost unchanged over the centuries, is due to the innumerable stratifications arising from its different uses through the years following its construction: from a place of worship it was converted into a defensive fortress and then it became a cardinal residence during the Aragonese era and storage of huge water tanks in more recent times.
In 1983 the monumental complex was recognized as an archaeological state property, thus becoming, a few years later, the seat of the Museum of Torre Alemanna.
The museum, in addition to the central nucleus consisting of the tower, a thirteenth-century church and the sixteenth-century Church of the Sacred Heart that still performs liturgical functions, houses the Palazzo dell’Abate, home of the ceramic collections from 15th-16th century found on site and various exhibition and multifunctional spaces also used as conference rooms and classrooms.
The Archaeological Excavations of Herdonia, about 20 km from Corleto, preserve traces of the Roman era of the city of Ordona.
Herdonia has often been called the “Pompei di Apulia” for its extension and excellent preservation: in fact, it’s possible to admire the remains of the forum, the Basilica, two temples, a small amphitheater, the baths, the so-called Macellum and several tabernae where the socio-economic life of the city took place. In the external part of the walls there is a large necropolis where numerous examples of Dauna ceramics were found, preserved today in various museums of the region.
The city was also the scene of important battles of the second Punic war and, thanks to its proximity to the Via Traiana, it achieved great prestige during the imperial age. Having survived the fearsome barbarian invasions, in the thirteenth century it was chosen by Frederick II of Swabia as the seat of one of his castles.
SEAT OF A CIVILIZATION THAT LETTERALLY LEFT THE MARK IN OUR AREA, STILL TODAY RICH IN TESTIMONIES OF THE PAST:
- the Archaeological Park of the Dauni, where it is possible to admire the remains of an imposing Daunian sanctuary which preserves tombs of aristocrats of the fifth century. A.D.
- The Archaeological Park of Faragola, approximately three hectares large, which houses the remains of an ancient Roman villa (with mosaics and baths) and of villages and farms that have followed one another throughout history starting from III sec. B.C.
- The Roman bridge over the Carapelle, an intact example of witty hydraulic and road engineering, and the many Roman fountains that characterize the Foggia countryside.
A WALK THROUGH THE OLIVE TREES TO RETRACE ANCIENT PATHS THAT TODAY ARE UNESCO HERITAGE:
THE SHEEP TRACKS OF TRANSHUMANCE
The sheep tracks are long paths with a natural background, typical of the areas of central-southern Italy, used by shepherds during transhumance, namely the seasonal migration of herds and flocks from one pasture to another one.
THE REGIO TRATTURO PESCASSEROLI-CANDELA
The origin dates back to prehistoric times but only during the Middle Ages real regulations were drawn up by Alfonso I of Aragon establishing the Customs for the herds of sheep in Apulia, in force until the early 1800s.
The Regio Tratturo Pescasseroli-Candela, originally about 110 meters wide, reduced over time to 55, and 221 km long, was the third longest of the five Italian Regi Tratturi. A lot of studies claim that it traced the path of the ancient Minucia consular road, used by Roman troops to reach Brindisi.
A route that crosses 41 municipalities, 6 provinces and 4 regions very different in morphology, geology, climate, vegetation, flora, fauna and territorial vocation.
It starts from Pescasseroli, in the Abruzzo National Park and, crossing the valleys and plateaus of Molise and Campania, you reach the Tavoliere delle Puglie ending the route on the border between Candela and Ascoli Satriano.
The royal cattle track Pescasseroli-Candela, in addition to its primary function, was also an important religious itinerary as evidenced by the numerous churches and sanctuaries present throughout the journey.
A long journey full of history, traditions and legends still preciously preserved.
