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Palo del Colle (commonly called Palo) is a small town in Apulia, located a few kilometers from Bari.

Understand

Among the places of interest in Palo del Colle there are the delightful old town, where the ancient craft stores make tourists feel as if time had stopped in a distant era, and the beautiful Chiesa Matrice dedicated to the Virgin dating back to the fourteenth century, an interesting example of Apulian Romanesque architecture.

1. The Church of Santa Maria La Porta and the "Spione"

Geographical position

Palo del Colle owes its name to its geographical position, being located on a hill 177 m above sea level. The ancient inhabitants of the area chose to move to this hill in order to enjoy the clean air, guaranteed by the distance from the ponds that were downstream. The municipal territory, with an area of 79.06 km², is set between Bitonto (north-west), Bitetto, Binetto (east) and Toritto (south). It looks like a rural and landscape area characterized by the presence of olive groves interspersed with vineyards as well as almond and fruit trees, there are also areas of Mediterranean scrub and tall ornamental trees (pines and more). As regards the climate, there is no better period to visit Palo del Colle, as its geographical position allows to enjoy the benefits of the Mediterranean climate even in the coldest months. Summers are usually hot and dry, while winters are cold, occasionally accompanied by snowfalls.

Historical background

Its origins date back to the first centuries B.C.: in fact, the first written testimony on its existence is found in the Naturalis historia (77-78 A.D.) by Pliny the Elder, which includes the Palionenses among the ancient inhabitants of Regio II. Considering the authoritativeness of the information provided by Pliny the Elder, the fact that he mentioned the population of the Palionenses, probably omitting others, can be an indicator of the fame and importance that Palo enjoyed in antiquity.The mass of findings in the territory (consisting mainly of tombs with their funerary objects), due to the archaeologists Paolo and Lorenzo Cassalbini, seems to confirm the pre-Roman origin of the country, plausibly to be ascribed to Italic populations rather than settlers from Greece.

Get in

2. The station of Palo del Colle

It is possible to reach the town through different means of transport.

By plane

The nearest airport is Bari-Palese

• Aeroporto Internazionale di Bari-Karol Wojtyla, Viale Enzo Ferrari, 70128 Palese BA (Italy), ☏ 080 580 0200, info@aeroportidipuglia.it. (updated Apr 2022)

By train

The town has a railway system and it is served by the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane. The station is located in Piazzale Domenico Guaccero and is situated on the railway line that connects Bari, Altamura and Matera.

• Stazione di Palo del Colle, Viale Vittorio Veneto. (updated Apr 2022)

By bus

Road transport to and from Palo del Colle is guaranteed both by Ferrovie Appulo Lucane and by Società Trasporti Provinciale.

By car

The car is the best way to reach Palo del Colle, especially if you want to avoid the long waits due to public transportation. From northern Italy it is possible to reach Palo del Colle through the Bologna-Taranto freeway A14. From Bari and Matera it is possible to drive along the state roads 96 and 99.

Get around

In the the historical center, it is possible to move only on foot. All major places of interest are located near its center, from which you can easily reach both the main churches, the old town and all the neighborhoods.

3. Auricarro (distant from the village 1,2 km)

Neighborhoods

• Casale dei Greci
• Castello
• Langilana
• Madonna della Stella
• Porta Reale
• San Giuseppe
• San Rocco
• San Sebastiano
• San Vito
• Spirito Santo

Hamlet

• Auricarro: a small hamlet of the town characterized by a pine forest where you can find rides for children, equipment for sports and bike path. It is a rather quiet area, ideal for those who want to live in contact with nature.

See

The historical center of the town is dotted with a variety of churches, squares and civil buildings built in perfect baroque and neoclassical style.

Churches

In Palo del Colle there are many churches but the most important ones are the following:

• Santa Maria La Porta, Via della Minerva, ☏ +39 080 625050.. The church of Santa Maria la Porta, built in the twelfth century, is the most important church of the town and is situated on the highest point of Palo del Colle. The church is dedicated to Santa Maria la Porta, patroness of the town. The northern facade of the structure overlooks the imposing and Romanesque Piazza Santa Croce. On the north facade, it is possible to admire the fourteenth-century bell tower, slangily called "Spione". The latter is the symbol of Palo del Colle and it is visible along the streets surrounding the town thanks to its imposing height of 49 meters (picture 1). (updated Apr 2022)
• Purgatorio. In front of the "Santa Maria La Porta" church rises the church of the Purgatorio. It was built in the years 1669-1673, while the facade is from 1708. It is a shining example of Baroque style. The central portal is enriched with a small group of sculptures, surmounted by a sundial of 1881. The bell tower dates back to 1734. This church was built for the nobles of Palo. (updated May 2022)
• San Giuseppe, Piazza Diaz. Neoclassical church with a hexagonal plan built by the brotherhood of the same name. The construction work began in the first half of the 19th century, while its bell tower was built around 1850. (updated May 2022)
• Santa Maria di Juso, Via Binetto. This small church is opened only on the occasion of the "day of the angel", precisely one week after Easter. On this particular day, the inhabitants of Palo go to this place to attend the liturgical service hoping to meet the angel who showed himself to the women in front of the tomb of Christ. The word "JUSO", in local slang indicates something that is below, referring to the valley of the town. (updated May 2022)

Civil buildings

• Palazzo Filomarino della Rocca (Palazzo del Principe), Piazza Santa Croce. It dominates the profile of the hilltop and is what remains of the palace commissioned by Federico II of Sweden in the 13th century. Unfortunately, the main facade was restored in the 19th century, giving the palace a neoclassical appearance. (updated May 2022)
• Palazzo San Domenico, Via Umberto I, 56, 70027 Palo del Colle BA. This is the current seat of the town hall. (updated May 2022)

  

  4. Santa Croce Square

Square

• Santa Croce. The square is situated in the highest point of the town and it is dedicated to another patron saint of the town, the "Santissimo Crocifisso" of Auricarro. Here it is possible to find the most important monuments of Palo del Colle: the church of Santa Maria La Porta with its bell tower, the church of the Purgatorio and the Palace Filomarino della Rocca. (updated May 2022)

Do

5. Palio del Viccio

Palo del Colle is a very small town, so it is sufficient to visit the most important monuments to understand its historical and landscape value. It could be a good idea to visit this town during the periods when some very important events for the whole community take place.

• Patronal feast of Santissimo Crocifisso. The most important event for the town is surely the patronal feast in which the "Santissimo Crocifisso" is celebrated. The feast takes place every third week of September, during which many cultural and musical events are organized. During these days Piazza Santa Croce is decorated with colorful illuminations. What makes the atmosphere of this festival even more magical is the evocative legend that tells of the discovery of the Crocifisso not far from the ruins of the ancient hamlet of Auricarro, recounted by Francesco Polito in "La storia di Palo". This patron saint is also celebrated on the 3rd of May at Auricarro, day in which the cross is brought to the little church located there, the only building left of the ancient Auricarro destroyed in 1349. Here, the cross remains for 6 months until the patronal feast in September, when it returns to the church of Santa Maria La Porta. During this day the inhabitants usually spend the day at Auricarro having picnics and enjoying nature. (updated May 2022)
• Palio del Viccio. The "Palio del Viccio" represents a reason of pride and tradition for the entire community, which for this occasion gathers and crowds the streets of the whole town. This is one of the oldest folkloric events in the town linked to popular traditions and culture. Every year, 12 brave horsemen with their own horses challenge each other in a roundabout route that revolves around the main street of the city, Corso Garibaldi. Each knight represents a district and has the appropriate coat of arms. They compete standing upright on the back of their steeds holding a sharp rod with which they try to burst a wineskin ("vescica" in Palese slang), placed on top. The one who succeeds in piercing the balloon is named the winner under the jubilation of the public and the coveted prize is the Viccio, a free-range turkey. The tournament, which takes place during Shrove Tuesday, concludes the carnival festivities and attracts many curious people from the surrounding towns every year. (updated May 2022)

Buy

Clothing stores

• Friendly Boutique Donna, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 88, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 626098. (for women). (updated May 2022)
• Boutique Cecilia, Via Monterosa, 53, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 798 2646. (for women). (updated May 2022)
• Xavier, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 20, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 237 2711. (for men). (updated May 2022)
• La Mascot, Via Imbriani, 30, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 991 0032. (for children). (updated May 2022)

Perfumes & Cosmetics

• Profumeria Minerva, Corso Garibaldi, 94, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 380 526 1082. (updated May 2022)
• Www.Trucco.It, Piazza Armando Diaz, 47, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 381 1855. (updated May 2022)
• Italian Style Profumeria, Via XX Settembre, 63, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 624886. (updated May 2022)

Gifts & Favors

• Alberga Showroom, Via Bitetto, 3, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 991 1165. (updated May 2022)
• L'albero delle caramelle, Piazza Armando Diaz, 46, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 328 827 6026. (updated May 2022)

Jewelry store

• Gioielleria Bellipario, Corso Garibaldi, 59, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 626462. (updated May 2022)
• Gioielleria Natale, Via Umberto I, n.37, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 626493. (updated May 2022)

Supermarkets

• Eurospin, Via prov.le Palo-Binetto, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 624985. (updated May 2022)
• Primo Prezzo, Via Cesare Cantù, 135, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 991 1422. (updated May 2022)

Eat

7. Taralli

6. Kniadd cooked on the fire

Foods belonging to Palo's gastronomic tradition are knniad, a soup of mixed legumes catalogued in the so called poor cuisine, and taralli, a snack cooked in the oven which is often declined in many tastes and shapes. Among other foods that can be tasted in Palo there are those belonging to the Apulian and Bari tradition, for example: focacce, panzerotti and orecchiette with turnip tops.

Restaurants

• Taverna del Borghese, Piazza Armando Diaz, 28, Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 248 3221. (updated May 2022)
• Cara Mamma, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 15, Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 624334. (updated May 2022)
• Giacuda Braceria, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 76, Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 208 1009. This is a steak restaurant. (updated May 2022)
• Fishè, Piazza Armando Diaz, 50, Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 628125. This is a fish restaurant. (updated May 2022)

Pizzerias

• Pizzeria Mediterraneo, Viale Mediterraneo, 2, Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 342 338 5651. (updated May 2022)
• Pizzeria l’Artista, Via Savonarola, 20-22, Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 246 7538. (updated May 2022)
• Pizzeria Al Caminetto, Via Giovanni Gronchi, 1, Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 628073. (updated May 2022)
• Pizzeria Antiche Mura, Via XX Settembre, 14, Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 627519. (updated May 2022)

Bakeries

• Antica Panetteria sas, Piazza Dante, 20, Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080627683. (updated May 2022)
• Panificio Saccente Snc, Via Giorgio la Pira, 57, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 626711. (updated May 2022)
• Panificio Del Borgo, Via Francesco Stampacchia, 23, Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 626112. (updated May 2022)

Pastry shop

• Pasticceria La Fornarina, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 22/22/A, Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 627595. (updated May 2022)
• Pasticceria Pace, Via Aldo Moro, 42, Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 626209. (updated May 2022)

Drink

In this town there are many bars where it is possible to have a drink and make aperitifs, but the most popular among residents are:

• Laboratorio Urbano Rigenera, Viale della Resistenza, snc, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 377 397 8915. (updated May 2022)
• Flapper Bistro, Via Don Giuseppe Minerva, n 32/34, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 524 0783. (updated May 2022)
• Red Chili Cafe, Via Bitetto, 12, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 321 9947. (updated May 2022)

Sleep

B&B

• Il Principe, Via Giuseppe Verdi, 10/12, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 380 367 0622. (updated May 2022)
• Nonna Lella, Piazza Dante Alighieri, 10, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 392 015 8472. (updated May 2022)
• La Torre Storica, Piazza Santa Croce, 18, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 392 608 5844. (updated May 2022)
• Comeacasa B&B, Via Lunga dei Greci, 47, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 388 301 9030. (updated May 2022)
• Vincent Suite Luxury B&B, Via Venezia, 17, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 379 1797036. (updated May 2022)

Other services

• Municipal Police Command, Via Umberto I, 56, ☏ +39 080 991 1807, polizialocale@comune.palodelcolle.ba.it. (updated May 2022)
• Poste Italiane - Post Office of Palo del Colle, Via Biebescheim Am Rhein, 19, ☏ +39 080 9910 311. (updated May 2022)
• Bank - Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A., Via Roma, 29, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 625529. (updated May 2022)
• ASL Palo del Colle, Via Auricarro, 106, 70027 Palo del Colle BA, ☏ 080 373 7508. (updated May 2022)