Apulia, Italy - Hoptale's Destination Guide

Apulia (Puglia in Italian) is sometimes referred to as "the heel of Italy", in reference to the country's boot-like shape. Due to its particular location, the region has been crisscrossed by a number of tribes and civilizations, stretching from Illyric tribes of Messapii to Greeks, Byzantines, Lombards, Normans, French and Spaniards. In addition, Apulia has been part to several larger kingdoms and empires including Roman, Byzantine, Naples and Kingdom of Two Sicilies, the last before being integrated to the national vision of mainstream Italy. This long and diversified history, aided perhaps by its peripheral location from the perspective of the central national government, has resulted in preserving a good deal of linguistic and cultural variation. (Apulia Wikitravel)