Desmond Seward

Old Puglia

In recent years, tourists have discovered the rustic charms of Puglia, also known as Apulia, the heel stretching down from the spur of the Italian boot. The region boasts beautiful landscapes and miles of dramatic coastline, cities with Romanesque cathedrals, Gothic castles, and a tremendous wealth of Baroque architecture, as well as rupestrian churches containing Byzantine frescoes. Yet until this book, almost nothing about the region had been published in English since the days of Norman Douglas and the Sitwells. Filling that gap, "Old Puglia" is an entertaining exploration of the area and its historical influences, cultural sites, and emerging popularity. Now fashionable as the new Tuscany, Puglia is featured on radio and television; travel supplements describe its beaches and cooking; and supermarkets worldwide stock Apulian wine, olive oil, bread, and pasta. Desmond Seward and Susan Mountgarret introduce readers to the story behind the destination, as they combine in-depth writing on Puglian history with discussions of the area s contemporary culture.A fascinating look at a region whose ancient roots continue to delight modern enthusiasts, "Old Puglia" will entertain travelers, history buffs, and everyone with a taste for Italy. "