Visiting Monopoli is a total immersion among the wonderful balconies overlooking the sea.

Monopoli is an ancient seaside village of Messapian origin. Throughout its history it has gone through long periods in which it was considered a fundamental hub due to its thriving port. Today Monopoli is a fascinating village that has managed to combine the natural beauty of the coast with its very rich historical heritage which makes it the ideal destination for those who want to combine culture and entertainment.
The historic center of Monopoli is characterized by narrow streets paved with limestone and characteristic churches that overlook breathtaking views. The city is also known for its districts, as it can actually count on 91 administrative divisions of the areas outside the city walls.

If these places fascinate you, you can visit Monopoli with one of our tours in Puglia:

⇒ Alberobello and the Land of Trulli bike trip

⇒ The Rotta dei due Mari on foot

 

What to see in Monopoli

Why not decide to spend a carefree day to discover the beauties of this fascinating city overlooking the Adriatic but looking towards the east. 
If you want to spend a day visiting Polignano a Mare, we have prepared a list with things to see and visit in peace:

  • Cathedral of the Madonna della Madia;
  • Charles V Castle;
  • Martinelli Palace;
  • Vittorio Emanuele II square).

And now let's set off together to discover the most identifying places by following our list of things to visit in Monopoli!




Cathedral of the Madonna della Madia

The Basilica, welcomed in an incredible baroque setting, is the ideal place to start visiting Monopoli. Dedicated to the protector of the city whose statue was found at dawn on 16 December 1117 on the banks of the port. The event emotionally involved the city so much that it is commemorated every year on the anniversary of the discovery and is repeated in a solemn form on the following 15th August.
The original Church was built in the same year as the miraculous discovery with the use of the wooden beams of the raft on which the image of the Saint landed in the port of Monopoli. The building that can be admired today is a baroque construction from the 18th century with all its beauty highlighted by the monumental facade and the bell tower that stands out on the side.
The interior is finely decorated with refined polychrome marbles which stand out thanks to the natural brightness of the patio.

Charles V Castle

Built on the strip of land furthest from the sea, it was part of a larger fortification system built by Charles V to defend the coasts of his kingdom between the 6th and 7th centuries.
The structure has the typical characteristics of a sixteenth-century fortress but as is evident from the entrance, it was built by incorporating a pre-existing Roman-style tower.
Inside, in the basement, there is an ancient Basilian church, also already present, dedicated to San Nicola della Pinna because it was built on the most extreme point.

Martinelli Palace

The eighteenth-century Palazzo Martinelli is an eighteenth-century stately building elevated on the ancient city walls as evidenced by the long façade lightened by refined eighteenth-century doors that overlook the port.
The building is clearly visible thanks to the scenographic effect given by the presence of the loggia which rests on three neo-Gothic style arches like the beautiful and monumental entrance portal and the romantic semicircle balconies on the first floor.

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II is the main square of Monopoli and the fulcrum of the city life of its inhabitants who refer to it as "Borgo". Visiting Monopoli and Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II means delving into the discovery of the roots of this seaside village. Built in 1796 by the architect De Simone, it has been the subject of interventions over the years, such as the installation of the two statues that stand out on both sides of the street that divides it in two. A curiosity regarding Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II is the presence of anti-aircraft shelters which have only recently been made accessible to visitors. In fact, in the basement there are tunnels that served as shelters during the bombings suffered by the city during the Second World War. .

What to do in Monopoli - the Slow Active Tours proposal

Visiting Polignano a Mare is a wonderful journey into the history of the peoples overlooking the Mediterranean. It is a wonderful journey through the architectural styles that have alternated over the centuries and in the history of this wonderful village.

  • Old port of Monopoli

    You cannot think of visiting Monopoli without having passed through the old port. From the enchanting historic center of Monopoli you can access the characteristic old port of Monopoli through the Arco del Porto.
Here time seems to have stopped in the period in which this place was used as a stopover for sailing ships and boats. Today it is one of the most photographed places by tourists and locals to look for the exact moment in which the sunset light is reflected in the water together with the reflection of the small and colorful fishing boats. A truly unique and evocative atmosphere, a place protected by memory and traditions that continue to be handed down from father to son.

  • Rock Churches

    If you think that the beauty of Monopoli is only "on the surface" you are wrong. In fact, there is a fascinating treasure waiting to be discovered, guarded beneath the frenetic hustle and bustle of everyday life. Underground Monopoli is an enchanting labyrinth of rock churches dug into the rock, such as the Church of the Holy Spirit. A small rock basilica where it is still possible to admire the remains of beautiful Byzantine frescoes. But the most incredible example is represented by the Church of Saints Andrew and Procopius. In addition to the church, you can admire other settlements and caves used as homes, oil mills and stables. The oldest rock church in Monopoli is certainly the Crypt of Santa Maria degli Amalfitani. Its name derives from some sailors coming from Amalfi who built the church as a sign of devotion for having escaped from a terrible shipwreck.

  • Diocesan Museum

    The Diocesan Museum, officially established on 29 June 2002, collects within it the political and cultural history of the city: from the Byzantine past, as evidenced by the icon of the Madonna della Madia, to the Swabian and Angevin periods, up to the relations with the Kingdom of Naples and the link with the Serenissima Venice.

  • Monopoli beaches

    The coast of Monopoli preserves some of the most beautiful beaches in Puglia, guarded by inlets and small charming coves.
The Porta Vecchia cove is truly scenic and takes its name from the ancient entrance to the city. Its location, a few steps from the historic center of Monopoli, makes it particularly crowded with those who want to escape the summer heat. But the small strip of sand with the backdrop of the town's white walls makes it particularly rich in ancient and romantic charm.
Continuing towards the south there is a succession of beautiful beaches: from Porto Bianco to Capitoline Hill, in an alternation of beaches and cliffs, with the crystal clear sea in the municipality as a backdrop

Festival and Popular Events of Monopoli

Visiting Monopoli is a combination of popular traditions and sacred rites rooted in popular culture. The patronal festival of Monopoli takes place from 14 to 16 August. On those days the ritual of the arrival of the sacred image of the Madonna della Madia on the city coasts is repeated. It returns to its people every year, first with the appointment of August 14th followed by the traditional one of December 16th. She arrives on a raft, escorted by hundreds of faithful who love to remember her since 16 December 1117, the date of her first landing. In the last stretch, the evocative procession becomes even more exciting because the route is illuminated by the torches of the divers who accompany the sacred image with a scenic backdrop made of stars and fireworks.

Typical dishes of Monopoli

The typical cuisine of Monopoli is a concentration of flavors from between land and sea. Fried panzerotti, or calzones, are typical of Apulian cuisine, a leavened dough stuffed with mozzarella and tomato and finally fried! Yummy!
Bombette are delicious meat and bacon rolls with a stringy heart. It is a succulent ordinary dish from the Itria Valley, traditionally cooked on the grill and enjoyed as street food, skewered on long skewers. An explosion of flavor at the first bite! Bocconotti di pasta reale and jam cannot be missing during the Christmas holidays. The preparation is similar to the cappellate, but the bocconotti are characterized by the shape of panzarotti filled with almond paste.

Eating and drinking in Monopoli

Here are some local suggestions for a tasty break before starting to visit Monopoli again:
Al Violetto , in Orazio Comes street 56. Intimate and welcoming location. A short menu but with traditional Apulian dishes;
Vivamare , in Orazio Comes street 54. Small place, with tables placed in a typical alleyway of the historic center;
Osteria Sangiovanni , in Vico Verzella, 2. In this bakery just outside the historic center, it is said that the best focaccia A unique place in the heart of Monopoli! Traditional foods that recall the flavors of the typical "grandmother's lunch"

So what are you waiting for? Get your stuff ready and off you go!