Day Ride in Alta Murgia National Park

April 22, 2022

This entry is one of few words and many, many pictures.

The sun came out today, along with some clouds. The wind lessened enough to ride without fear (15-18 mph) and I was off, chasing down trulli and Prussian kings. There are many quiet roads that criss-cross the Alta Murgia National Park, some paved, some not. I chose the paved option to explore just a small section of the 262 square miles of hills, fields, farms, prehistoric sites, and castles. I hope you enjoy my day as much as I did.

Morning

The day started with retrieving Vivien George from her overnight accommodations, on the right

There was a cluster of old trulli, perhaps a dozen or more, located as I neared the highest point of the day

I believe this is Trani, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea

Afternoon

A brief stop for some bread and cheese after enjoying a nice downhill with a tailwind

Castel del Monte

Castel del Monte is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and their description follows. I did not enter the castle, only enjoyed the views

When the Emperor Frederick II built this castle near Bari in the 13th century, he imbued it with symbolic significance, as reflected in the location, the mathematical and astronomical precision of the layout and the perfectly regular shape. A unique piece of medieval military architecture, Castel del Monte is a successful blend of elements from classical antiquity, the Islamic Orient and north European Cistercian Gothic.