The territory of Apulia Imperiale The name Imperial Apulia quickly identify and evocative area of the towns of Andria, Barletta, Bisceglie, Canosa di Apulia, Corato, Margherita di Savoia, Minervino Murge, San Ferdinando di Apulia, Spinazzola, Trani and Trinitapoli.
In the footsteps of Frederick II of Swabia Frederick II, a man of German blood and Norman, born by chance in Jesi, considered lifelong Italy his real home.
Tied him to it the mild climate, the warmth of the people and the habits of life. While maintaining a Court traveling between the various corners of the empire, elected official residence in Apulia, Foggia erected by the Imperial Palace.
The whole region suffers still open and tolerant culture Frederick, spiritualissima and jovial. When you arrive in the heart of Apulia Imperiale warning, as if by magic, the same "breath of life" that has captivated the Puer Apuliae and not looking forward to being able to enjoy the beauty, the smells and flavors, among the pink rocks of the lanes of villages, of castles and cathedrals, nature reserves or in damp caves of history, between the heat and the desire to dream of the people living in these lands. The route ideally accompanied by the emperor himself, wants to lead us through the cultural excellence, artistic, environmental, and religious leaders of these places.
Delve into the history of comedy from Porta S. Andrea, also called "Arc of Frederick II, the city Fidelis Andria, as evidenced by the inscription made an impact in 1230:" Fidelis Andria Affixa medullis nostris. The events are inextricably linked to this imperial city. E 'in this place that Frederick announce the birth of second son Conrad in 1228 and is still here in the crypt of the majestic Cathedral of S. Maria Assunta (XII - XV cent.)
Which are the remains of two of the three empresses, the wives of the "stupor mundi": Yolande of Brienne, who died after giving birth to sixteen year old Conrad and Isabella of England, she too died childbirth in Foggia.
A few kilometers from the town of Andria stands alone, the Castel del Monte, known worldwide for its distinctive octagonal shape, has an exceptional value for the perfection of its forms, harmony and fusion of cultural elements from northern Europe, the Muslim world and classical antiquity.
Federico II identifies their castles the main ways of expressing the power of the state, is the first fact to imagine and implement a "castle system" to govern the territory.
Castel del Monte is the most representative and emblematic is the greatest treasure of Apulia Imperiale: a way in which, perhaps, the emperor never lived but where, for the suggestions symbolic public imagination more than anywhere else I feel the presence looming .
Castel del Monte, a beautiful listed building in 1996 by UNESCO World Heritage, you can admire the entire territory.
From its impressive mullioned windows overlooking a landscape that reaches the Gargano.
Turning our gaze from the opposite side, opens to the visitor a "sea of stone": the Murge.
These territories can be admired mystics and lunar landscapes whose horizons undefined, leaving room for reflection and spirituality and they feel the presence of the emperor who liked to spend the few places in these times of peace and rest that were granted in ' exercise of its governmental functions, delighting in the noble art of falconry.
This area is now Alta Murgia National Park, the first rural park of Italy, and includes the towns of Andria, Corato, Minervino and Spinazzola. We are in the realm of the lesser kestrel, so dear to the Emperor naturalist, in a context of particular environmental value where the rights are tangible signs of stratification in a dense system of cattle tracks, dry stone walls, jazz and farms dominated by from the Fortress of Garagnone.
