Places to visit around Cerignola
Routes
Cerignola is a strategically located town situated in the valley of the Ofanto River on the hills that border the Lower Tavoliere, between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea. It boasts several places and events of interest: Torre Alemanna, the Castle, the Clock Tower, the Mercadante Theatre, the Tonti Cathedral, the Piano delle Fosse, the Milestone, the house of Pietro Mascagni, Palazzo Pavoncelli, the Wheat Museum, and the Ethnographic Museum, as well as the festival of Madonna di Ripalta.
Many notable individuals are connected to Cerignola, including Pasquale Bona, Giuseppe Pavoncelli, Nicola Zingarelli, Pietro Mascagni, Giuseppe di Vittorio, and many others.
For those staying at the B&B Villa Pallotta, it is easy to reach all the main attractions of Northern Apulia by car, from the Apennines to the Adriatic, from Gargano to Margherita di Savoia, with their pine forests, beautiful golden sandy beaches, clear water cliffs, museums, and characteristic patronal festivals.
The most important river in Apulia
The River Ofanto, the most significant river in Apulia, distinguishes itself with several notable characteristics such as its considerable length, the extensive surface of its hydrographic basin, and the abundance of its waters, which make it a vital resource for the region.
"With power emerges the Ofanto, akin to a bull, traversing the lands of Apulian Daunia. When it unleashes, it threatens devastating floods on cultivated fields, akin to the onslaught with which Claudius devastated the barbarian armies clad in iron" (Horace).
This quotation by Horace perfectly captures the impetuous essence of the Ofanto, which in its floods recalls the fury and power of ancient battles. However, beyond its devastating force, the river nourishes the land through which it flows, making it fertile and capable of sustaining the agriculture that feeds the region's population.
Archaeological Park and Antiquarium of Canne della Battaglia
Located in the picturesque valley of the Lower Ofanto, "Canne della Battaglia" is renowned for the epic Battle of Cannae, a crucial clash between Romans and Carthaginians in 216 BCE that marked a decisive moment in the Second Punic War.
This location not only has a rich history to tell but also preserves archaeological finds of notable interest. Among these are the remains of an ancient Apulian village, which offers a unique glimpse into the life of pre-Roman Italic populations, characterized also by the presence of a menhir, a silent witness to ancient religious or social practices. Additionally, the discovery of a vast necropolis has provided further clues about funeral customs and the material culture of those who inhabited these places millennia ago.
Today, Canne della Battaglia invites visitors on a long and fascinating journey, enriched not only by the ruins that dot the landscape but also by the presence of the Antiquarium, a museum that carefully exhibits the objects found during excavations, thus offering a precious window into the past. Visiting it means immersing oneself in a journey back in time, where every stone and every fragment tells stories of life, war, and forgotten civilizations.
Margherita di Savoia: the sea, salt pans and thermal waters
The Borough of Margherita di Savoia, located a few kilometres from the city of Cerignola, is famous for its namesake Saline, which represent the largest in Europe and the second largest globally in terms of extension. This area is also home to the Salt Museum, a fascinating place located in the immediate vicinity of the historic Salt Tower, dating back to the sixteenth century and rich in history.
Margherita di Savoia is situated in a privileged coastal strip on the Adriatic, where numerous seaside resorts with extensive ferrous sand beaches are found, ideal for those seeking a holiday focused on relaxation and well-being. In addition to the natural beauty of its beaches, Margherita di Savoia is renowned for its thermal waters, which attract visitors from all over Italy for their therapeutic properties. The thermal mud, extracted directly from the saline basins, is known for its benefits on the skin and for the treatment of various pathologies.
The unique combination of natural, historical, and thermal attractions makes Margherita di Savoia an unmissable destination for those wishing to discover the wonders of the Italian territory, immersing themselves in a landscape where nature, history, and well-being harmoniously blend.
Discover the Gargano's wonders
The Gargano, also known as the Spur of Italy, is an extraordinarily rich land of scenic and historical beauty. This magnificent area, in many of its corners still unspoilt, offers an ideal escape from the frenzy of the modern world, allowing a return to origins in close contact with nature.
As the main tourist hub of the region, the Gargano hosts the Gargano National Park, a true natural wonder that includes the famous Umbra Forest, known for its dense pine forests and biodiversity that fascinates hikers and nature enthusiasts from around the world. In addition to its natural richness, the Gargano also boasts a remarkable historical and cultural heritage, with small villages rich in history, ancient churches, and sanctuaries that blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscape.
This makes the Gargano an ideal destination for those seeking not only natural beauty but also a profound sense of history and culture.
