Sightseeing in Monopoli - what to see. Complete travel guide

In the Italian town of Monopoli, tourists can easily combine sightseeing with relaxation and admiration of the gorgeous sea views. The town is famous for its architectural landmarks, many of which are several thousand years old. Tourists enjoy visiting this part of Italy because towns like Monopoli are great for not only educational and cultural tourism but also for pleasant beach recreation. Every year, the town’s administration regularly organizes various events and shows, concerts and performances of local actors. This town is a cheerful and energetic place with an atmosphere of happiness and excitement.

The town on the coast of the Adriatic Sea was established in 545. Greeks were the first settlers in this region. Many rulers tried to conquer this Italian city because of its beneficial location. At that time, it was an important political task to have a town with direct access to the sea. We don’t know much about the history of Monopoli – the historical documents are lost, and local people cannot provide much information. Historians only mention that the Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Arabians, and Spanish were the rulers in this area in different periods of time. Monopoli became a part of the Italian kingdom only after the end of the Bourbon reign.

Would you like to see the oldest church in Monopoli? Tourists are welcome to visit an ancient shrine built yet in the 4th century. This is Chiesa di San Salvatore. The gorgeous church was rebuilt a number of times, and those adjustments changed the look of the shrine significantly. The inner décor of the church changed too. Nowadays, visitors can see a building with the decent Baroque traits of the 18th century. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

According to local legends, a captain of a pirate ship made a decision to build Chiesa di San Salvatore. Once, the captain and his crew survived in a shipwreck. The captain promised to thank God by building a church. That is why the façade of Chiesa di San Salvatore faces the sea. However, there is another legend about his church. It states that Constantine the Great ordered to build the Chiesa di San Salvatore. There is evidence that might prove this theory – in 1711, old medals were discovered in the foundation of the church.

The Castle of Charles V is one more attraction that Monopoli is famous for. The gorgeous fortification was built at the beginning of the 16th century. The Aragonese were the rulers in the region at that time. They ordered to demolish an old Benedictine monastery and build a fortress on its site. The main purpose of the stronghold was to protect the settlement from the sea attacks. Nowadays, the doors of the beautiful castle complex are open for everyone. That being said, there are not many guests here. The Castle of Charles V is absolutely free to visit.

The building is not tall, but this fact doesn’t prevent visitors from admiring the unforgettable views of the sea and the surrounding neighborhoods. When taking a stroll inside the castle, pay your attention to one of the main walls that still has a memorial plate. This plate reminds of an event that happened in 1971. A Greek ship sunk because of a shipwreck, but its passengers survived because people of Monopoli helped them. All victims of the shipwreck were granted shelter and help. After this, Monopoli received a medal praising its courage when saving the passengers of the sunken ship.

Besides sightseeing, Monopoli invites tourists and foreign guests to enjoy the fabulous beaches of the region. Porto Vecchio, which is located not far from the historical center, is one of these amazing recreation areas. This beach is a narrow coastal area covered with soft sand. A thick fortress wall separates the beach from the rest of the town. Porto Vecchio doesn’t have any infrastructure, but it can offer clean and warm Adriatic Sea that is so pleasant to swim in.

When compared to other recreation areas, Porto Vecchio is the most beautiful beach. It has one more advantage – it is free to enter. You only need to grab a towel and sunscreen, and you are welcome to come to this beach anytime. When choosing this recreation area, tourists need to keep in mind that the beach can be very crowded on weekends and holidays because locals visit it too. If you wanted to spend some time in solitude and calmness, it may be better to find another beach.

It is possible to get to Monopoli from Bari. This Italian city has an international airport that receives flights from many European countries and other parts of the world. After that, you need to get on a train to Monopoli. The journey will not be long – only twenty to thirty minutes. Trains to Monopoli from Bari depart every hour. There is another way to get to the gorgeous Italian fairytale town from the airport – to hire a taxi. The ride will be approximately forty minutes in this case. Tourists with driving licenses can rent a car at Bari airport.