Polignano a Mare

Historic sites in Polignano a Mare

Historic Ruins and Towers

Polignano a Mare's coastline and countryside are dotted with defensive structures and ancient dwellings dating back centuries. This collection features 16th-century coastal watchtowers like Torre Incina, built to guard against Saracen raids, alongside subterranean hypogea and medieval ruins. These sites, including the solitary Scoglio dell'Eremita and the archaeological remains at Ipogeo Manfredi, provide a physical record of the region's military history and early human habitation in natural and carved limestone structures.

Historic Ruins and Towers — Map

Laurence Schotter Roth / CC-BY-SA

A

Torre Incina

A 16th-century coastal watchtower built as part of a defensive system against maritime invasions. It is situated on a rocky promontory overlooking a small natural cove.

B

Torre di avvistamento saraceni

A traditional stone watchtower used historically to monitor the Adriatic Sea for incoming Saracen pirate ships.

C

Ipogeo e rovine medioevali.

A site containing underground hypogeum chambers and the remains of medieval stone structures.

D

Torre del trullo

Archaeological remains of a historic structure that incorporates traditional Apulian dry-stone building techniques.

E

Ipogeo Manfredi

An ancient underground site featuring man-made excavations used for habitation or storage during the prehistoric or classical periods.

F

Grotta di Santa Barbara

A natural cave site containing archaeological evidence of early human use and historical religious significance.

G

Casematta

A fortified defensive structure or bunker used for military protection and observation.

H

Scoglio dell'Eremita

A large limestone rock formation isolated in the sea, named for a hermit who reportedly lived there in religious seclusion during the 11th century.

I

Tavolata dei briganti

A site featuring flat rock formations associated with local legends of 19th-century brigands and outlaws.

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