Cellamare
Cellamare, a treasure trove of history and nature in Puglia
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about Cellamare, a small town of 5,756 inhabitants in the metropolitan city of Bari, in Puglia. It is a place that preserves many historical and natural treasures, from prehistoric remains to medieval castles.
Physical geography
Cellamare is located about 12 km southeast of Bari and extends on the southern edges of Terra di Bari. It borders the municipalities of Capurso, Casamassima, and Noicattaro and is the smallest municipality in the entire metropolitan city.
History
Prehistory
If you love prehistory, you will find it interesting to know that there are no traces of settlements dating back to the Stone Age in the territory of Cellamare. Only around the 15th century BC, in the Bronze Age, life appeared in the area called "Cocevole," a couple of kilometers from the village, on the old road to Casamassima. Here, the first settlement in the Cellamare area developed. The favorable position derived from the fact that the valley that is observed today was an important canal that started from Monte Sannace, near Gioia del Colle, and went towards nearby Cellamare.
Middle Ages
The origins of Cellamare are traced back to the eleventh century. The first historical document that mentions the municipality is a statute of the towns and lands belonging to the archdiocese of Bari compiled in 1171. Here, a place called Cellamare or Cellamarii is mentioned for the first time.
The center of the municipality still preserves the old baronial castle of medieval origin (13th century), rebuilt and adapted from a military fortress to a noble residence in the sixteenth century.
Nature
In addition to history, the territory of Cellamare also offers many natural beauties. In the countryside, on the road to Rutigliano, an undated menhir is preserved, which represents a small glimpse of the ancient past.
Furthermore, nature lovers could appreciate excursions to the Mesola forest, a 56-hectare green oasis mainly composed of Mediterranean oaks, fruit trees, Mediterranean scrub, figs, and asparagus.
Food
I can't talk about Puglia without mentioning the cuisine, which is renowned and delicious everywhere. Even the typical dishes of Cellamare are no exception: among others, you can taste homemade orecchiette, Altamura bread, peperone crusco, and local wines, such as Primitivo di Manduria.
Also, every summer in August, there is a festival of grilled meat, where you can taste local specialties cooked on the grill, accompanied by good music and entertainment for children.
Conclusions
In conclusion, if you are on vacation in Puglia and are looking for a quiet place full of history and nature, do not hesitate to visit Cellamare. Breathtaking landscapes, delicious dishes, and many opportunities to relax and have fun await you. Happy travels!
