Utente:Giorgia Macina/Sandbox

Polignano a Mare

Arco Marchesale, also known as "Porta Grande" is the remaining structure of the ancient defensive walls which were restored in the first half of the sixteenth century. Nowadays, it is the only access to the old city and it represents one of the most renowned architectural examples in Polignano a Mare. On this gate it is still possible to see the holes through which the sliding chains made the drawbridge work, in order to cross Lama Monachile down below. On its barrel vault there were three storm drains, which were then walled, through which boiling oil was spilled in case of external attacks. Another important detail which could be seen on this arch is a representation of Christ's crucifixion which dates back to the end of the sixteenth century even though its attribution is still unknown. The arch is topped by a religious building which took the name of "Confraternita di San Giuseppe" after its modernization in the eighteenth century.

Fondazione Museo Pino Pascali is a no-profit institution inaugurated in Polignano a Mare in 2010, with the aim of exhibiting and highlighting Pino Pascali's masterpieces. It is located in an ex nineteenth-century slaughterhouse where the "Premio Pino Pascali" takes place every year. It rewards distinguished artists of the international scene, allowing them the chance to exhibit their works inside the museum.

Bourbon's Bridge on Lama Monachile, built by the will of the Bourbon dynasty t had the purpose of connecting the two cities of Bari and Lecce along the new Apulian Royal Consular RoadConsidered a f passage and meetinpoint g with a breathtaking landscape, this bridge ione o' the f favorite plascfor tourists e to take pictures of the Lama Monachile's beach down below.
Palazzo dell'Orologio (Clock's Palace), situated in "Piazza dell'Orologio", is a medieval building reachable through Arco Marchesale. Originally the palace had a meridian on it, but it was then replaced by a clock in the nineteen century. On the three-story building the symbol of the city is situated between the first floor and the ground floor that hosted both a storage and a prison. The clock, instead, is placed on the facade corresponding to the second floor and today it is still wound up manually. At the top of the building there is the statue of San Vito, patron saint of the city of Polignano a Mare.

Domenico Modugno's statue is located in the middle of the first square of the city northwards, in Via Conversano 4. Built in 2009, this bronze, 3-meter statue has soon represented one the most important attractions of the town. One of the reasons why Polignano a Mare is a well-known international spot is due to the fact that it is the birthplace of the Italian singer who has been represented with open arms in the name of his famous song “Nel blu dipinto di blu” also known as “Volare”. Behind him there is the beautiful crystal clear sea, and he is turned towards the city so that his people who admired him are involved in a sort of great hug.

Lama Monachile, also known as "Cala Porto", is a big cliff with sea caves. Many houses have been built on the cliff directly overlooking the sea. The beach is located in the centre of the city so it is very busy in summertime. Every year the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series takes place on the top of these cliffs. Tourists and local people usually attend a high level diving competition among professional divers from all over the world. Along the rocky coastline there are big caves reachable by means of little pedal boats which can be considered one the of most breathtaking natural bays. The beach consists of rounded and smooth pebbles and it is possible to sunbathe and swim freely.

Cala Paura, situated not far from the city-centre, it is a peculiar small beach with rocky coves that outline the coast, fishermen's houses and boats stranded on the shoreline. This beach is completely free and provides both a rocky ground and a wooden platform usually employed in order to sunbathe. It is also possible to rent beach-umbrellas, deck chairs and pedal boats.

Grotta delle Rondinelle (Swallow's Cave), is one of the largest and well-known caves of the eastern coast. It is 6-7 meters high above the sea level and it is only one of the forty caves in Polignano a Mare. The cave has a double entrance: a wide access allows to enter by the sea, leading to a nice pebble shore, whilst inland a collapsed sinkhole represents the main access, naturally created after the rock diaphragm above the cave fell. The name of this cave derives from an ancient legend about the city of Polignano a Mare: according to it, a swallow had her nest destroyed by a violent storm and it was leaded to the sea together with her puppies; during storms, hearing the squeaking of the swallows would lead to misfortune.

The old city, walking or cycling along the picaresque streets of the old city, a cultural scavenger hunt begins: there are some secrets but wonderful stone staircases with famous quotations by poets and writers from all over the world (Oscar Wilde and Pablo Neruda are just two examples).

Christmas lights, colorful holiday lights are put directly on the sand, especially at the most famous beach called “Lama Monachile”.