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Visit Locorotondo
Situated in the Puglia region of south-east Italy, Locorotondo is on a 400 meters high hill on the plateau called "Murgia dei Trulli” (Plateau of the "Trulli").
Trulli of Locorotondo
From 'Porta Napoli', one of the ancient gates leading into Locorotondo, your visit starts with the Old Town which began as a group of "trulli", (small traditional houses, at that time called "casedde"). The first inhabitants, mostly farmers, worked in the areas called "jazzelere", near the threshing-door, well and small church.
The best way to visit this village is to walk the downtown streets, which follow a circular layout and were surrounded by walls until the middle of the 19th century. The houses are characterized by typical pointed roofs, known as "cummerse”, with limestone roof slabs.
Saint George Cathedral
The old circular structure of the Old Town in Locorotondo is built around the Cathedral Church of St. George, which is the center of the city and was built between 1790 and 1825. The Renaissance-style façade has a relief of "St. George and the Dragon" in the tympanum (above the entrance) and at the two corners, further down, are statues of St. Peter and St. Paul, carved by an unknown local artist of the 18th century. The church has a Greek cross form and some Neo-classical elements which harmonize well with the other aspects of Renaissance and Baroque character.
Among the paintings in the cathedral note a picture of the “Last Supper”, by the Neapolitan painter Gennaro Maldarelli (1769 approx.-1858); a fresco of Bishop St. Donatus; and an 18th century painting portraying the “Risen Christ”, by an unknown author. Next to the altar of the Assumption, is located another of Maldarelli’s paintings, dating back to 1838. In the sacristy you can also see three ancient paintings, thought to be from the early eighteenth century, by an unknown author, depicting a “ Scourged Christ”, “The Martyrdom of St. Bartholomew” and “Doubting Thomas".
Church of our Lady 'della Greca'
Another artistically valuable building in Locorotondo is the Church of Our Lady “della Greca”, a Basilian building dating from the 12th century. Rebuilt by Pirro Del Balzo (1430-1487), the church has a basilica plan, with a façade in a very simple style. Inside, we mention in particular the presence of a painting by J.L. Desprez (18th century) and a Polyptych on the central altar, dedicated to the "Madonna of the Roses”, with Saint Lucia, Saint Peter, and the “Madonna and Child”.
Other Locorotondo churches and monuments
Another church to visit are the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, built in the late 17th century and with a 17th century painting of the "Descent of the Holy Spirit", by a painter named Bruno. The Church of San Rocco dates back to the 17th century and has a painting of "San Rocco between the plague", by the local painter Antonio Vito Semeraro (1855-18859).
You can conclude your tour of the holy places of Locorotondo with the Church of the hospital, dating from the 16th century (with a very old painting of late-Gothic style depicting “Christ on the Throne”); the 16th century Madonna della Catena Church, (in the apse of which is preserved a fragment of a fresco depicting the "Madonna della Catena"); the SS. Annunziata Church (19th century, with some statues depicting the Madonna); the Addolorata Church (19th century, with various polychrome statues); and finally Saint Nicholas Church (17th century, with several paintings from the same period).
Finally, it is worth seeing the Morelli Palace, in the Baroque style and distinguished by the portal and wrought iron balconies
Locorotondo region and tradition - cuisine
The region around Locorotondo is very pleasant to explore and characterized by a countryside of olive groves and vineyards, which also produce a fine local white wine. The most traditional regional dish to try is certainly the “involtini soffocati”, or the so-called "gnummeredde" (tripe, lamb and parsley sprigs, sliced onions, parsley, salt, pepper, and tomatoes). Other typical dishes are the “black ‘orecchiette’ with turnip,” and the "taglierina" home-made sauce with salt cod.
See also Locorotondo history and etymology
See more places in the region in our Puglia travel guide.