Dear travellers,
when you visit Apulia, you’ll see a territory majestically rich in olive trees, valuable vineyards and orchards, despite it lack of water streams and frequent rains. Apulia indeed, as the whole South is a Miracle of Resistance, thank to thousands of men and women who tenaciously remained here, and many others who instead left as migrants, to bring back here new hopes of a Future, also for the next generations.

We due the new face of Apulia to them, who often are anonymous protagonists  of the past and of the present, like: farmers, shepards, fishermen, artisans, craftsmen, women and men who with strength and dignity, with sweat and lean gains have shaped the land in the time, transforming the “Art of making” into an instrument of Care and Rigeneration.

So, many after their studies went back taking care of the land and the sea. Some have chosen to put back into the sea the fishing boat of the father, to restart the activity of an old mill, dairy,, a family vineyard producing in an innovative and sustainable way.

Some young architects and professionals have revived the historic centers, as booksellers, small artisans and artists have given breath and color to the streets of the villages, small cultural centers to welcome local and world visitors.

Passoasud recommend a suggestive and unmissable experience in Locorotondo in July:

You can watch the historical re-enactment of the Brigantage phenomenon (1860-70), acted in costume in authentic places among masserie, woods and caves.

You’ll meet closely the protagonists of historical reality still unknown to many, that reveals the tear between North and South of Italy. It is well known that history written by the winners is often purged of facts that describe how those victories were obtained.

The Italian Risorgimento of the South has remained hidden for a century and half and was unfortunately a period of abuse and violence with usurpation of land and imposition of taxes that plunged the South in a state of poverty, degradation and unemployment.

The post-unitarian South was in fact a land devastated by “invading” army to which the bands of Briganti rebelled with as much violence, dreaming of resurrecting the kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

Many young men and women took up arms and the way to the wood to become rebels – Briganti and Brigantesse in the name of Freedom against the military occupation of the piemontese Savoy army that arrived in the South to unify Italy in 1860.

Passoasud highly recommend viewing the mini-series “Briganti” on Netflix and the following reading: “La brigante bambina” by Pino Aprile (2023).

The book is dedicated to Luisa, named “la Cesarella” who was just 16 years when she became Brigantessa after being tortured and abused to flush out the brother. She was intelligent and courageous and revealed extraordinary abilities in planning a political dialogue and in leading the attempt to unify the bands of Brigands of the South of Italy to fight  the Savoy army.

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Have a good trip… I’ll see you in the South!

Cinzia