Polignano a Mare
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about Polignano a Mare, an Italian municipality located in the metropolitan city of Bari in Puglia. With its 17,612 inhabitants, this small town stands on a rocky spur overlooking the Adriatic Sea, about 33 kilometers south of Bari.
Physical geography
Territory
The municipality of Polignano a Mare borders to the north with Mola di Bari, to the west with Conversano, to the southwest with Castellana Grotte, and to the southeast with Monopoli. Its territory has a high and irregular coastline, dotted with numerous ravines, watercourses. Among these stands out the Lama Monachile, located west of the historic center and named after the presence, in the past, of the monk seal. Another important ravine is that of Santa Caterina. Along the coast, there are many sea caves, including the Grotta delle Rondinelle.
Climate
The climate in Polignano a Mare is typically Mediterranean, with mild and rainy winters, and hot and sunny summers with some thunderstorms. Although not frequent, fogs and snowfalls are not rare, with some exceptional snowfalls such as those of February 1956 and March 1987, January and December 2014.
History
From prehistory to Roman times
Polignano a Mare has a long history, dating back to the Neolithic period, when the first human settlements were built. According to some scholars, the ancient Greek city of Nea Polis Apula could be one of the two colonies founded in the 4th century BC by Dionysius II of Syracuse on the Adriatic coasts. The most evident signs of human presence date back to the Neolithic period, in the area of Santa Barbara (VI - V millennium BC).
Economy
The economy of Polignano a Mare relies mainly on tourism and horticulture. Sea caves are one of the most appreciated natural attractions by tourists and constitute the uniqueness for the conservation of the pinniped in the southern Mediterranean.
Polignano a Mare boasts a strong tradition in the agro-food and wine sector. Every year, during the patron saint's feast, the "Fair of Gardens and Typical Products" takes place, offering the opportunity to discover typical local products of Puglian cuisine, such as caramelized figs or handmade orecchiette.
Conclusion
I hope to have helped you discover something new about this wonderful town in southern Italy. Don't miss the opportunity to visit and admire its natural and historical beauties. There is really a lot to see and discover!
