Polignano a Mare, Coastal commune in Puglia, Italy
Polignano a Mare is a coastal commune in the Metropolitan City of Bari in Puglia, sitting on limestone cliffs above the Adriatic Sea. The old town consists of low white buildings crowding along the cliffs, while several sea caves cut into the rock below.
Archaeological finds in the Grotta di Santa Barbara show that people settled here as early as the Neolithic period. Later the Greek city of Neapolis developed at this location, passing under Byzantine, Norman and Spanish rule over the centuries.
Many locals gather in Piazza dell'Orologio, where the old clock tower marks the rhythm of life in the old town. On summer evenings, families sit outside their homes chatting while children play in the narrow lanes between white walls.
The railway station in the valley sits about ten minutes on foot below the old town on the cliffs. Travelers arriving by train should wear sturdy shoes, as the climb involves stairs and steep paths.
A restaurant called Grotta Palazzese sits in a natural limestone cave about 22 meters above sea level and allows guests to dine at sunset. The cave itself was used for receptions and celebrations in the 18th century, long before it became a dining establishment.
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