Due to its position at the crossroads of maritime traffic between Europe and the Middle East, Puglia (Apulia) came under the influence of every major Mediterranean empire. First ruled by the Greeks, control passed to the Romans, the Byzantines and eventually to the Normans.

The Norman period was a “boom period” in Puglia – trade prospered and many of the beautiful Romanesque churches that you see in Puglia were built during this time (see our map of the Romanesque churches of Puglia). Although these churches contain many of the same elements as the traditional Italian Romanesque style, it is decidedly different.

Puglia’s Romanesque architecture is tied to the Eastern Christian architectural tradition, due to political, cultural and historical factors that are unique to South Italy.

Plan Your Travel Itinerary Using Approach Guides

Whether you are a first-time visitor to Puglia or have visited many times before, our Approach Guide to the Romanesque Churches of Puglia will help guide your itinerary.

First-Time Visitor to Puglia: Use this guide to plan a half- or full-day tour of a few of the region’s Romanesque churches. You will gain an appreciation of the history behind these beautiful structures, the characteristics of Romanesque architecture in general and what makes them unique to Puglia.

Experienced Italian Travelers: Approach Guides offers experienced travelers the opportunity to spend a few days touring cities such as Trani, Troia, Manfredonia, Bitonto, Ruvo di Puglia, Molfetta, and Bari. You will explore the Puglian Romanesque style and its unique twists (mainly the blending of Eastern, Greek church forms with Western, Latin forms) on the traditional Romanesque architecture visible throughout the rest of Italy.

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Approach Guides to the Romanesque Churches of Puglia (Apulia), Italy includes detailed reviews of Romanesque cathedrals following cities, including those being considered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. (See our custom map of all of the cities we profile in this guide)

• Trani
• Troia
• Manfredonia
• Bitonto
• Ruvo di Puglia
• Molfetta
• Bari

View ApproachGuide to the Romanesque Churches of Puglia in a larger map

All Approach Guides are offered as PDF files that can be downloaded and printed immediately after purchase.

Bitonto Cathedral, Puglia (Apulia), Italy