Quick wits saved a man’s life last month when a crane boom came down onto him in Nanjing UK rental company Clearview has ordered three Ruthmann truck mounted platforms US crane rental company Crane Service Inc has ordered another Liebherr LG 1800-1.0 wheeled lattice crane Haulotte has appointed Guillaume Van Hoeck as managing director Europe Czech crane rental company AG Transport has ordered an 800t LR 1800-1.0 lattice crawler German sales and rental company Kunze has added Elma cranes to its portfolio Below are the best Airbnbs in Puglia to book now MesagneA grand structure emerging along the ancient Appian Way Villa Pizzorusso is draped in centuries of history and a rare gem in Puglia's rural heartland This restored 16th-century masseria is a living testament to Italy’s agrarian past its weathered stone walls now framing a sanctuary of quiet luxury Olive trees stretch endlessly in every direction while the scent of citrus and herbs wafts through secluded gardens The 25-metre swimming pool glistens beneath the southern sun arched doorways and original frescoes evoke a bygone era split between the main villa and a charming courtyard annex offers rustic elegance with contemporary comfort Stone fireplaces and traditional wood furnishings blend seamlessly with sleek modern bathrooms take an aperitivo on the panoramic terrace watching golden light fall across the groves Days can begin with fresh ricotta and cornetti from Mesagne’s bakeries or dips in the turquoise waters of the Adriatic coast The magical trulli of Alberobello lie within reach while local osterias offer unforgettable meals of handmade orecchiette and just-caught seafood Villa Pizzorusso is a solid choice for large groups seeking a portal into the soulful NardòSurrounded by the baroque beauty of Nardò’s historic centre Casa a Corte is an optimal blend of centuries-old charm and contemporary elegance This 16th-17th-century residence has been thoughtfully restored to create a tranquil escape just ten minutes from the Ionian Sea you’ll find a lush courtyard perfumed and decorated by orange trees and a serene private pool surrounded by carved stone and traditional terrazzo floors the villa pairs mid-century lines with heritage details – walnut furnishings each with a king or queen-sized bed and en-suite or private bathrooms offer personal sanctuaries that open onto terraces and the courtyard beyond The open-plan kitchen and living space is made for slow mornings and lively dinners step outside to explore Nardò’s cobbled streets A short drive brings you to the turquoise waters of Santa Maria al Bagno and Santa Caterina Nature lovers can head to Porto Selvaggio Natural Park while food enthusiasts will revel in local osterias serving up fresh orecchiette Sleeps: 10Price: Around £711 per night with a two-night minimum PutignanoRight in the thick of Puglia’s storybook countryside Sunrise Trullo poetically fuses ancient architecture and contemporary design Once a modest 18th-century watchtower nestled among olive trees it has been lovingly revived by two architect-owners whose restoration honours the land’s rural traditions while introducing thoughtful modern touches The result is a quietly luxurious retreat surrounded by the iconic conical rooftops of the Murgia dei Trulli – a region of limestone farms Your stay in the Sunrise Trullo offers an intimate glimpse into this timeless world Originally used by farmers as a rest shelter the restored trullo now houses a serene bedroom while a sandstone-vaulted extension includes a modern kitchen Earthy textures and repurposed rustic furnishings blend beautifully with minimalist design a small private garden opens into a shared courtyard with a hydromassage pool morning swims and sunset soaks come with sweeping views of olive groves and sun-warmed stone The location places you within easy reach of the UNESCO-listed town of Alberobello (12 km) and the cliffside beauty of Polignano a Mare and Monopoli Spend the day exploring Putignano’s historic centre or sampling Hilde and Luigi’s own award-winning extra virgin olive oil that's pressed on-site Martina FrancaSet in the heart of Puglia’s picturesque Valle d’Itria Trullo Meraviglioso was lovingly restored to celebrate the rustic elegance of traditional Apulian life Just a short drive from the whitewashed towns of Martina Franca and Alberobello – all rich in baroque character and UNESCO-listed trulli architecture – this hideaway is the perfect base for exploring southern Italy’s arguably most enchanting countryside region its conical trullo roofs and thick stone walls offering natural coolness and intimacy a cozy double bedroom beneath a classic vaulted ceiling A separate relaxation room offers a hydromassage tub with chromotherapy – ideal after a long day spent wandering local markets or tasting wines in the surrounding villages olive and walnut trees shade a private haven designed for long and even hammocks beneath a broad tree invite you to slow down and savour the area’s rural pace The countryside surrounding the villa is ideal for scenic drives or impromptu wine tastings at local masserias immersed in the serene landscape of the Valle d'Itria this historic villa has been meticulously revived to preserve its noble heritage while blending it with modern comforts Each corner of the villa showcases the property’s past as well as high quality craftsmanship — from its artistic mosaics and 19th-century furnishings to the exquisite bathrooms adorned with rare marbles and hand-carved stone bathtubs the villa boasts a private heated pool surrounded by lush greenery and centuries-old palm trees The outdoor area features an elegant summer kitchen a pergola draped in white curtains offers the perfect spot for a peaceful nap while a pool table and a 17th-century Florentine fireplace create a refined ambiance for evening relaxation you’ll find ample space for up to eight guests with three luxurious double bedrooms and living areas suitable for both group activity and quiet contemplation once used for olive oil and wine production has been transformed into a peaceful retreat complete with a vaulted living room and a double bedroom with an exclusive stone-carved bathroom The villa's location is perfect for those wishing to explore the cultural and natural beauty of Puglia guests can enjoy the stunning beaches or explore the ancient towns and traditional trulli of the region indulging in gourmet meals with a private chef or embarking on an adventure with guided tours or boat rentals Villa Favorita promises an idyllic backdrop for making long-lasting memories OstuniFor a dreamy break away in the Puglian countryside Perched on a hill among blissfully quiet surroundings with fragrant olive trees to sit under with a book and incredible sprawling views stretching out below Each day offers something new to explore – from the caves at Castellana to pottering through streets lined with trulli in Alberobello and the baroque cities of Lecce and Martina Franca just a short car ride away There’s a barbecue on the terrace and a pool to dive into after a long day on foot – just bear in mind that it’s shared with two other properties Sleeps: FourPrice: From around £168 per night MateraThis elegant historic residence has been given a thoroughly modern facelift plenty of marble and a comfy mish-mash of furniture bring style and homeliness in equal measure Head out to the little balcony and flop down on one of the powder blue chairs with an espresso – there are views all over Sasso Caveoso and you can see Piazza San Pietro and Madonna de Idris as you perch take note: pets are allowed at a €15 surcharge Sleeps: SixPrice: From around £231 per night Sleeps: ThreePrice: From around £93 per night this little trullo hides out among a lush garden of gently swaying olive trees where the only noise pollution comes from the birds chirping You’ll need a car to reach this little guesthouse – and likely a 4x4 to traverse the rural roads – but on arrival you’ll be rewarded with a 10,000 square metre olive grove to explore along with a dreamy courtyard and an azure blue saltwater pool – just right for a few lazy laps to cool off in after a day under the Italian sun you’re actually very well placed to explore the area’s most beautiful towns – Ostuni Cisternino and Locorotondo are all within five kilometres Sleeps: TwoPrice: From around £129 per night barrel vaults and dusty sandstone walls – a perfect romantic hideaway for two Everything comes finished in that understated rural Italian way – big Chesterfield armchairs and simple wooden furniture keep the attention firmly on the architecture – and big shuttered windows showcase the views over one of Lecce’s prettiest squares You’re close to the action – just a few minutes’ walk and you’ll be among all the baroque architecture Sleeps: TwoPrice: From around £124 per night this 12th-century tower on the cusp of the owner’s farm is a historical gem to explore among the olive trees A stone spiral staircase makes a statement inside but it’s the surrounding scenery that steals the show the fruits and vegetables grown on the farm will be available for guests to cook up in the evenings along with a glug or two of homemade olive oil the hosts can book you a massage or sessions with a personal trainer along with guided hikes in the Alta Murgia Park gives you somewhere to cool off on lazy days Sleeps: ThreePrice: From around £137 per night OstuniJust a few minutes walk from Ostuni’s higgledy-piggledy city centre this bijou gem offers pared-back luxury among the fruit trees there’s a comfy double bed under an alcove plus a hot tub sat next to an atmospheric crackling fire you can barbecue on the verandah (or sit in the hammock while your partner does) or take a dip in the pool before setting up on the outdoor dining table Sleeps: TwoPrice: From around £214 per night CarovignoPuglia’s traditional pared-back aesthetic has been given a jaunty zhuzh here a blue chequered tile – add joy and texture to the otherwise neutral scheme But all the usual Puglian delights are present: tall vaulted ceilings You couldn’t be closer to the centre of town – a wealth of bars restaurants and shops to potter about await just 200 metres from your door Sleeps: FourPrice: From around £200 per night OstuniFew caves can claim to be as thoughtfully renovated as this one a spa-like walk-in shower and a kitchenette for making tea and coffee But head further down for the best bit: a private underground hot tub adorned with twinkly lanterns – all terribly romantic but the host has partnered with nearby restaurants to offer breakfast and there’s a launderette close by should you need it Previous guests do say that the space is a little small so this is perhaps not one for a long stay but the allure of unfettered access to our own cave hot tub wins out over practicality here Sleeps: TwoPrice: From around £188 per night Sleeps: FourPrice: From around £289 per night, with a four-night minimum Mesagne ’s Norman Swabian Castle will host the exhibition Caravaggio and His Time - Between Naturalism and Classicism curated by Pierluigi Carofano in collaboration with Tamara Cini making use of a scientific reference committee A project of the Micexperience Business Network represented by entrepreneur Pierangelo Argentieri and sponsored by the Region of Puglia and the Municipality of Mesagne.Through the approximately thirty-five works on display the exhibition aims to present to the public the birth and development of Caravaggio’s naturalism in contrast to the Emilian classicism particularly popular in Rome in the early seventeenth century still arouses great interest in contemporary society,” the curators emphasize "The exhibition stems from the idea of fixing the path of the great Lombard genius from his early training to the years of his maturity It will feature some masterpieces from private collections little known to the general public in particular it will be possible to admire Merisi’s Ragazzo con caraffa di rose and Ragazzo morso da una lucertola and Ludovico Carracci’s Conversione di san Paolo Caravaggio’s painting also becomes the pretext for a journey into the fantastic season of the seventeenth century where alongside the master’s chiaroscuro portrayal new talents flourished and intertwined as they traveled different paths such as that of classicism "The past six years have seen us collaborate for the growth of the Mesagne area starting with the SUM (Sistema Urbano Museale) project passing through Puglia Walking Art and Culturare," Argentieri said which became a memorandum of understanding signed in 2021 by the Micexperience Puglia business network the Region of Puglia and the municipalities of Mesagne (Br) was born from the idea of systematizing the experience gained from 2018 with two widespread exhibitions(Picasso and the Other Half of Heaven in 2018 and Andy Warhol - the alchemist of the 1960s in 2019) with the realization of the Great Exhibition Caravaggio and His Time - Between Naturalism and Classicism to be held in the prestigious Mesagne Castle from July 16 to December 8 This is a further step forward that propels us into the production of an Exhibition entirely made from scratch with the help of resources and workers from the entire Apulian territory." “The foresight that has sprung from public-private collaboration today reaches its highest level of credibility The joy at the realization of an artistic project of such magnitude,” commented Mayor Antonio Matarrelli “is only matched by the knowledge that this event Mesagne deserves and lives up to it and it is this a realization that comes in the midst of the great work that together with the network of businesses involved and the Apulia Region we are producing with the intention of investing in the best way possible the enormous wealth of experience that the city has gained in recent times.” "The exhibition we are presenting today ’Caravaggio and His Time - Between Naturalism and Classicism’ represents a great opportunity for the province of Brindisi and for our entire region Mesagne’s is a story that must be known abroad as well because it testifies how the revival of a city passes through cultural policies It is no coincidence that after its candidacy as Italian Capital of Culture Mesagne was given the title of Capital of Culture of Puglia 2023 in order to carry out all the initiatives included in the project The exhibition was born from the work in synergy between the public and private sectors In a historical moment like the one we are living it becomes necessary to strengthen the collaboration to carry out events like this of international scope," concludes Grazia Di Bari Councillor Delegate for Culture Puglia Region “There could not have been a better way to celebrate Mesagne ’Culture Capital of Puglia 2023’: a major exhibition on ’Caravaggio and his time’ that will put at the center of the artistic-cultural offer of Puglia 2023 our Capital from July 16 until the end of the year A cultural operation that continues the virtuous collaboration between public and private strengthens the international projection of Mesagne and Puglia and diversifies the product and the cultural-tourist offer of our Region,” added Aldo Patruno Director General of the Department of Tourism The Appian Way symbolized the Roman Empire’s might hoping to create a pilgrimage route through history There’s a McDonald’s on the outskirts of Rome where you can peer through the glass floor and see—a few yards below—flat gray paving stones of an ancient Roman road and twisted skeletons embedded in a two-millennia-old gutter These are remnants of an offshoot of Europe’s first major highway meanders out of the city and across Italy’s southern regions until it reaches the eastern port city of Brindisi It helped inspire the saying “All roads lead to Rome,” and in Italy it is still called Regina Viarum—the Queen of Roads buried with its stones under millennia of history Now an Italian government project is under way to transform the Appian Way (Via Appia) into a pilgrimage route from buzzing Rome to nautical Brindisi In its roughly 360-mile span across the country the Appia takes many forms: a forested dirt path but it is an immersion into a slice of Italy few tourists see the Italian government first must dig out the Appia and in some cases I found myself looking down at the road from an outpost of a hamburger empire the Appia is an 11-mile-long stretch of well-preserved archaeological park The last leg of this park is a woodsy uphill path Then the Appia largely vanishes under asphalt for 50 miles Its last appearance in the Eternal City is beneath the McDonald’s There lies this small offshoot of the Appia one of the rare segments that have recently been excavated and preserved When I ask a restaurant manager about the ancient cobblestones he calls to a woman in sneakers sitting at a corner table the archaeologist who dug out the road in 2014 In what I consider an earth-shattering coincidence Cerino just happens to be visiting to discuss future projects at the site We exit the restaurant and descend a staircase to the ancient cobblestones “The project was made on purpose so if you want to look at the road you don’t have to come into McDonald’s,” Cerino tells me Three skeletons lie in the gutter—replicas of the bones she originally unearthed there When a piece of the Appia was initially discovered during construction locals feared the fast-food franchise was buying up old Roman treasures archaeological sites often are reburied for preservation because their upkeep is so expensive glimpses of the Appia are few and far between and it’s lucky this one ended up seen at all and farmland as it crosses four regions and a hundred municipalities in Italy Most of it has been paved into obscurity under Strada Statale 7 But its original stones sometimes appear—alongside a cocktail bar in a village square as envisioned by Roman administrator Appius Claudius Enslaved people and laborers dug out an estimated 1.6 million cubic feet of dirt and stone for each freshly paved mile (the mile measurement itself was a Roman invention) Claudius named it after himself—a rare practice in those days that suggests its importance—but went blind and ultimately died before it was completed The Appia barreled through the country in a nearly straight line carrying the Roman Army as the empire consumed southern Italy and embarked east It was the first of 29 bustling roads that shot out from Rome Accounts of travel along the Appia began with Latin poet Horace around 35 B.C. and it has had no shortage of articulate admirers since But appreciation for the road as a feat of engineering faded after the Roman Empire began to collapse in A.D Charles Dickens described “tombs and temples Italian writer Paolo Rumiz decided to walk the Appia for La Repubblica newspaper The only problem: There was no modern map of the route a prominent hiker who has spent nearly four decades traversing Italy and satellite imagery to plot the Appia’s course Then he loaded it into a GPS and walked alongside Rumiz Rumiz’s journey drew the attention of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and in 2015 the Italian government announced a plan to resurrect the route Centuries of lawless development had left archaeological treasures in private hands “Walking,” Carnovalini tells me when I later meet him on the Appia’s trail “is the most political act one can do to change the landscape.” But many obstacles are keeping walkers away one of the three architectural firms tasked with turning the Appia into a walkable journey His proposal has a historical precedent: Ancient Romans following the Appia encountered a station to swap out their horses every 10 miles Travelers will explore the theaters of famed gladiator battles some new—and attractions will be marked on an app The less-is-more approach aims not to cover up the unpolished segments but to offer an honest experience But it’s not America the Appia is competing with Costa isn’t the first of the Appia’s new designers to reveal that a quiet rivalry is brewing: The Camino de Santiago draws more than two million tourists annually the Appia is a secular journey through Italian history Paul as he traveled to Rome from Jerusalem I soon discover it hasn’t been unearthed yet The first cobblestones are likely buried near what is now a traffic-clogged roundabout at the center of Rome in an effort to locate them without halting the busy city the Ministry of Cultural Heritage has been digging out small A few miles south is the Appia Antica Archaeological Park the best preserved and most walkable piece of the road Its path meanders from central Rome to the city’s outskirts sprinkled on either side with some 400 archaeological sites: mosaic-filled Roman villas a mazelike Christian catacomb with half a million dead and mausoleums of enslaved persons and ancient society girls alike “and look at this little mound of earth on the left where the bones of a good person are enclosed.” Modern life scrolls past: elderly couples on sunset strolls and birthday partygoers on horseback tours Shepherds in small cars herd goats and sheep Diners fork into platters of roasted meats outside Qui Nun Se More Mai—“Here you never die”—a cozy trattoria atop the Appia The stones dip where two millennia of horse-drawn carts carved deep grooves But the typical tourist to Rome is on a sightseeing blitz staying only a few days before leaving for Florence or Venice the archaeological park saw 100,000 visitors a year A new park director has installed an alluring schedule of concerts It appeared to be working on a warm fall day: Parents picnicked in fields around a crumbled Roman stadium while children charged each other with fake gladiator swords There’s a peacefulness to this park that makes it unlike any of Rome’s other ancient attractions As the Appia’s stones stretch away from the city the archaeological sites thin until only a lone column or statue stands among lush fields and there are occasional historical markers and water fountains and new boots that already have clocked nearly 450 miles We fill a table with deep-fried zucchini flowers and cod stewed in tomato sauce who once wrote that a visited country “must pass between the lips and down the esophagus.” When Carnovalini and author Paolo Rumiz first walked the Appia in 2015 their course ended up about 50 miles longer than the original route Modernity had consumed much of the early path forcing them to navigate around highways and industrial zones but Carnovalini describes this area as the start of the many disagreements over the Appia’s original path and building materials and chosen the most feasible option pink and blue lines plotted on his GPS show the competing theories as the waiters begin closing the restaurant for the night The next day we pass by overburdened tractors chugging through tobacco fields and fields being devoured by controlled fires cracking hazelnuts and picking wine grapes from curling vines along the path The Appia has literally been absorbed by these sleepy villages its stones and columns embedded in walls and doorways the red line on Carnovalini’s GPS is the only indication we’re still on the right track Short yellow paths indicate detours to keep walkers off major roads As an adviser to the Ministry of Cultural Heritage Carnovalini has mapped out dozens of these both to circumvent the route’s impassable segments and to lead walkers to existing accommodations Carnovalini takes me on one detour through the charming hilltop village of Frigento where we descend into a Roman cistern and greet the town’s free-roaming resident peacocks The Ministry of Cultural Heritage has earmarked 20 million euros ($22 million) to develop the Appia for tourism but as I visit archaeological sites along the route it’s clear more funds are being eagerly awaited Archaeologists spent 2020 excavating a 50-yard stretch of Appian cobblestones in a town called Passo di Mirabella Today it’s hidden under a large protective sheet Another phase of funding is necessary for the team to continue preserving their finds where an economic dip has forced the national government to cut the cultural heritage budget every year for the past decade—leading to the reburying of discovered sites The cash injection along the Appia’s path is welcome but it’s going to require sustained upkeep it usually ends up in Pompeii and Herculaneum Carnovalini had cautioned that a journey along the Appia is unique for its honesty “The Appian experience is up and down,” he said that’s beautiful,’ then you turn your head and say That truth crystallizes as I approach Taranto a port city roughly 40 miles from the Appia’s end This is the only place where Carnovalini and Rumiz were forced to hail a taxi during their trek Before me is a six-square-mile expanse of industrial production has turned Taranto into “the trenches of Italy,” an Italian journalist warned me before I arrived The Appia runs alongside the factory and into an island that holds Taranto’s old town old men paint religious figurines to sell to the few tourists Fishing boats jostle for space along the boardwalk; I am told that dolphins and whales are sometimes visible on the horizon Winding alleys lead to a cathedral dripping with marble Taranto instantly becomes my favorite spot along the Appia Taranto was the only city founded by the Spartans outside Greece and a row of Greek columns still stands near the water a member of an activist coalition fighting to close the factory residents shut their windows and keep their kids home from school Studies have shown high levels of cancer here compared with the rest of Italy Among the many hopes embedded in the revival of the Appia by people like Castellana is that harnessing history for tourism can reverse the fortunes of southern Italy which has long been stereotyped as old-fashioned and crime ridden I stop in the once walled city of Mesagne where I meet Simonetta Dellomonaco who tells me her guiding adage: “Culture is the only fuel that doesn’t pollute the more you consume.” Mesagne was known as the birthplace of Italy’s fourth Mafia family Today that image is being replaced by scenic Hollywood cameos actors playing Native Americans are riding through a nearby park that’s posing as the American West archaeologists have unearthed the last visible stretch of the Appia’s original cobblestones Investing in its heritage landed Mesagne as a finalist for Italy’s 2024 Capital of Culture “They used to say every road leads to Rome,” Dellomonaco says Brindisi reached its biggest splendor,” a local guide is telling a small crowd gathered on the boardwalk in Brindisi “They understood the importance of the port From Brindisi you could take off for the East.” It’s Via Appia Day and the group is touring the route’s end point on a sunny October afternoon The guide is climbing a tall set of stairs toward the columns that famously mark the end of the route The group gathers for a photo around a towering column and the base of its twin (the rest was gifted to a neighboring city centuries ago) “These columns are commonly considered the end of the Appian Way,” she is saying but the finale was always clear: two columns framing the Adriatic Sea in Brindisi But analysis of the marble has revealed they were built two centuries later An archaeologist on the Appia’s excavation warns me not to get too consumed with finding its end changing from street to route to highway—more a system than a line What’s important is that the Appia turned Brindisi into a global powerhouse from which the Roman Army set off to expand its empire east to cities like Alexandria and Jerusalem the Roman Empire ruled a quarter of the human population across three continents Brindisi became a destination for Holy Land pilgrims who waited for weeks to board the next boat to Jerusalem a couple hundred travelers show up each year via various hiking routes that lead to the city Restoring Brindisi’s reputation as a destination is the personal crusade of Rosy Barretta Barretta privately funds an organization that arranges visits for pilgrims and her family runs a large tugboat company “It was a waste that no one was taking care of this piece of engineering and inventiveness,” she says She imagines Brindisi once again filled with travelers tracing the Appia’s path We watch as a hulking ship approaches the port of Brindisi. Our tugboat’s captain, a young Brindisi native named Alessandro di Giulio, opens an app on his phone and tracks the boat back to its departure point in Mozambique. It carries raw sugar, he says, which will be unloaded and processed locally. The water is calm as two of Barretta’s tugboats rush to greet the ship and begin to pull it into port. Di Giulio tells me he recently moved back home after a decade abroad working for Carnival Cruises. He saw the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean but always dreamed of returning to the port of Brindisi, where ships have been unloading goods and passengers for thousands of years. “From my professional point of view,” he says, “it’s the center of the world.” Puglia is where the leaders of the G7 nations will gather in a few days for their annual meeting Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni will be eager to show off the region known for its olive groves white-washed houses with cone-shaped roofs A remarkable array of women is challenging the Sacra Corona Unita Italy’s fourth main organized crime group that operates in southern Puglia exposing their crimes and confiscating their businesses all while working to change local attitudes (AP Video by Trisha Thomas and Alessandra Tarantino/Production by Trisha Thomas) Marilu Mastrogiovanni poses in front of a murales dedicated to Gloria Anzaldua during an interview at the Bari’s university has reported extensively on the infiltration of the Sacra Corona Unita in the local community and city hall for her blog “Tacco d’Italia.” Her reports so angered the local government that they plastered the town with giant posters attacking her work and one depicted her up to her neck in a hole in the ground she was put under police escort and eventually decided to move her family to Bari where she now teaches investigative journalism in the Master in Journalism course at the University of Bari an association against Mafia and criminal organisations poses during an interview in one of the association shop in Mesagne Picoco shows a bottle of a wine dedicated to Marcella di Levrano a young woman killed by Sacra Corona Unita in 1990 As a child bombs were left in her school overnight by the SCU as a threat to local store owners who had children in the school and were refusing to pay of the local mafia All the parents agreed they would bring their children to school the next day as though nothing had happened This instilled in her the idea that citizens have to be active and participate in opposing the mafia Prosecuting Magistrate Carmen Ruggiero sits in the in bunker hall of Lecce Italy before the start of an audience Wednesday the prosecutor leading the team against a clan in a case known as “Operation Wol.” was threatened by a jailed mafioso Judge Maria Francesca Mariano poses in the Apollo Theatre in Lecce before the performance of her latest play “Your Honor Mariano is living under 24 hour police escort after receiving death threats In July 2023 Mariano issued the arrest warrants for 22 members of the Lamendola Clan accused of mafia association poses next to a portrait of her mother Renata Fonte The area is protected from tourist development thanks to the battle fought by Renata Fonte a town councillor in Nardo who fought to keep the mafia from developing the coast area walks with her team in Lazzari Castle confiscated to a convicted man from the SCU in 2013 Durante heads of the Lecce office of the Direzione Investigativa Anti-Mafia Italy’s inter-agency anti-mafia police force but her rise in the ranks was met with obstacles from the start When she told her high school Latin teacher that she wanted to become a police officer the response was typical of the macho ethos of southern Italy at the time: “How vulgar.” The reception wasn’t much better in Durante’s first job as a cop in a small mountain town in southern Calabria that was dominated by the ’ndrangheta mafia The locals in Taurianova were hostile to all law enforcement officers and were not afraid to show it “When they torched my car,” she says matter-of-factly “We have learned that this is really the most incisive tool because taking assets away from mafiosi means disempowering them,” she says Mastrogiovanni is an investigative journalist and journalism professor at the University of Bari She has reported extensively on the infiltration of the Sacra Corona Unita mafia in local Puglia communities and public administrations for her blog “Il Tacco d’Italia.” Her reports so angered the local government in her hometown that at one point the town was plastered with giant posters attacking her work one of them depicting her up to her neck in a hole she was put under police escort and eventually decided to move her family out of town According to the patriarchal culture of the Sacra Corona Unita “a woman shouldn’t have a voice,” all the more if she uses it to write about the mafia “I don’t believe those who say they aren’t afraid “Courage is going forward in spite of fear.” Picoco volunteers for the anti-mafia group Libera activism that was inspired by a childhood event When she was in elementary school near Lecce three bombs exploded in her school one night Local store owners had created the first anti-racketing association in town and the bombs were a clear warning from the Sacra Corona Unita that their children were at risk the parents did something remarkable that stayed with Picoco forever “The next morning our parents — all of them — accompanied us to school,” she recalls and I think this has always marked me: The importance of not turning away of being on the side of being active citizens.” a national network of anti-mafia associations that takes legal possession of confiscated mafia assets and turns them into socially useful projects and products the Puglia town where the Sacra Corona Unita was founded Picoco sells wine made from grapes grown in vineyards confiscated from the mafia The bottles bear the names of mafia victims Mariano is the preliminary investigations judge at the Tribunal of Lecce she became the youngest woman judge in Italy she issued arrest warrants for 22 members of the Lamendola clan of the Sacra Corona Unita organized crime group she began receiving letters written in blood with death threats and satanic messages a bloody goat head skewered with a butcher’s knife was left on her doorstep with a note reading Police added a bullet-proof car to her security apparatus She still has her day job as a judge but in her down time plays and poetry about the mafia in Puglia “The mafia has social consensus,” she says “If we want to disassociate the phenomenon of organized crime She leads a prosecution team in the case of “Operation Wolf” against the 22 defendants from the Lamendola clan of the Sacra Corona Unita She has not relented in her efforts following threats on her life but now appears in the Lecce prison courtroom accompanied by a three-man police escort Shortly after Judge Mariano sent out her arrest warrants Ruggiero went to the Lecce prison to question one of the defendants who had signaled his desire to collaborate Pancrazio Carrino had chiseled a knife out of a porcelain toilet bowl in his prison cell and hid it in a small black plastic bag in his rectum planning to “cut her jugular” during the meeting according to court documents following the incident Carrino told investigators he had asked to use the bathroom so he could retrieve the makeshift knife and hide it in his underwear until he could strike But a suspicious police officer searched him when he came out and took it away “If I had been as lucid that day as I am now,” Carrino said later “Carmen Ruggiero would already be history.” was assassinated as she came home from a city council meeting in the Puglia town of Nardò had become a vocal anti-mafia spokeswoman as she tried to protect 1,000 hectares of parkland along the Puglia coastline from illegal development Mobsters fired three bullets and killed her but her legacy lives on: Thanks to her efforts — and the outrage that erupted after her killing — the park remains a protected area and Fonte’s daughter “These places will always be in danger,” Matrangelo said from a lookout point above the sea in the Porto Selvaggio Nature Reserve “And so the battles of those who shed blood for these civil struggles must walk on our legs must be perpetuated by our everyday courage,” she said VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The sacrament of Baptism isn’t a good luck charm but a gift from God that enables Christians to overcome evil Those who receive the sacrament are given the strength to overcome “the temptation to separate from God from communion with Him (and) fall into the snares of worldly seductions,” the pope said April 25 during his weekly general audience “Baptism is not a magic spell but a gift of the Holy Spirit that allows those who receive it to fight against the spirit of evil believing that God sent His Son into the world to destroy the power of Satan and bring men and women from the darkness to His kingdom of infinite light,” he said Peter’s Square for the general audience despite the day being a national holiday commemorating Italy’s liberation from Nazi occupation chose to reflect on the spiritual liberation from evil offered to men and women who receive the sacrament of Baptism Continuing his series of Easter-season talks on Baptism the pope said that the litany of the saints and the prayers of exorcism that are part of the baptismal rite are gestures meant to reassure catechumens “that the prayer of the Church assists them in the fight against evil and accompanies them on the path of good.” but is accompanied by the prayer of the whole Church,” the pope said is anointing with oil the chest of the person about to be baptized Like the ancient gladiators who used oil to tone their muscles and slip through the clutches of their adversary Christians are anointed as a sign of Christ’s power “that strengthens us to fight against evil and overcome it,” the pope said Although the fight against evil is a “lifelong struggle,” he said Christians can rest assured that the Church “prays so that her children do not succumb to the snares of evil.” Paul: ‘I can do all things through Him who gives me strength,’” the pope said Sign up for our daily Newsletter and stay up to date with all the latest news You are receiving this pop-up because this is the first time you are visiting our site You are using software which is blocking our advertisements (adblocker) we are relying on revenues from our banners So please disable your adblocker and reload the page to continue using this site.Thanks Two of the objectives that Conserve Italia has set in Apulia to bring production closer to the processing plant are incentives for the farmers closest to the processing site in Mesagne (Brindisi) and a collaboration with the producers organizations so as to increasingly encourage mechanized harvesting "There are some large companies that already use our plant but we aim to encourage even more cultivation near Mesagne so as to reduce transport times and also the environmental impact The plant covers an area of 46,000 square metres and employs 450 seasonal workers hired during the campaign period plus around 20 permanent employees," said Daniele Piva director of the agricultural production at Conserve Italia.  The site processes 55,000 tons of produce per year mostly from the 700 hectares of industrial tomatoes grown by Conserve Italia's producer members in Puglia and bordering regions This plant represents a fundamental employment base for the area and generates an annual economic impact of around €3.6 million in wages and taxes alone without taking into account induced activities" the Bologna-based cooperative group - which produces tomato preserves in the Salento area under the brands Cirio Valfrutta and Jolly Colombani - has held meetings with dozens of farmers in the involved areas encountering great interest in this initiative "Apulian tomatoes represent a strategic asset for our company which is present on the market as Pelati and the new range Le Selezioni and that includes Datterini and Ciliegini di Puglia (dates and Apulian cherry tomatoes) We aim to expand the social base in the area supporting our farmers by providing the security and stability of a large cooperative such as ours ranging from technical assistance in the countryside and support for mechanized harvesting "Favorable conditions are in place to enhance the cultivation of industrial tomatoes in Salento Thanks to the fundamental contribution of our associated agricultural cooperatives we are willing to bring closer and closer the fields of our producers to the processing plant," said the president of Conserve Italia "We will be able to better preserve the raw product reduce environmental impact and streamline transportation costs giving greater profitability to Apulian farmers We foresee economic incentives to our cooperatives based on the reduction of transport distances from the fields to the farm," concluded Gardini FreshPublishers © 2005-2025 HortiDaily.com RWE is making good progress in expanding its wind business in Italy Following the commissioning of Selinus wind farm at the end of 2022 the company has taken the final investment decision to build two new onshore wind farms in  Apulia region with a planned capacity of 108 megawatts (MW) in total located in San Severo Municipality and Mondonuovo The total investment volume amounts to approximately €180 million which will have an installed capacity of 54 MW is located in San Severo Municipality in Foggia Province 12 turbines with a capacity of 4.5 MW each are scheduled to be installed and commissioned by the end of 2024 9 turbines with a capacity of 6 MW each are planned to be installed in Mesagne Municipality Construction of the 54-MW project is scheduled to start in the beginning of 2024 and the facility is to be commissioned mid-2025 RWE Renewables Italia – strong presence in the Italian market for renewables  takes an integrated project approach that incorporates development construction and operation as well as the marketing of wind farms RWE is a key player in the Italian renewables market The company draws on its extensive experience to operate its business there with 15 onshore wind farms and an installed capacity of approximately 500 megawatts RWE supplies around 400,000 Italian households with green electricity every year RWE aims to more than double this to an installed capacity of 1,000 MW spread across onshore wind You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed Melissa Bassi, 16, of Mesagne, was killed and five others injured on the morning of 18 May after a remote-controlled device detonated three gas canisters outside a school in the Adriatic port town of Brindisi a 68-year-old married father of two from the small town of Copertino is said to have confessed to making and detonating the bomb after a nine-hour interrogation Investigators said CCTV footage showed his Hyundai driving by shortly before the blast and an old Fiat Punto belonging to his wife in the same area the night before There was also CCTV of a man – left handed, similar in appearance and with the same sunglasses – appearing to push the button on a remote detonator, and mobile phone records placed Vantaggiato in the area, despite his initial claims that he was at his business as a reseller of liquefied natural gas for agricultural use. "Yes, I made the bomb. It was my idea and I constructed it," Vantaggiato finally said, according to Italian reports. When reporters asked the anti-mafia prosecutor Cataldo Motta what the motive was, he said: "That is one of the aspects that is not convincing, which is why the investigation is continuing." "I hope this time they are sure," Bassi's father was quoted as saying in the Corriere della Sera. "I don't want just any guilty person, I want the guilty person." Police are investigating whether Vantaggiato had a personal vendetta against someone at the school or set off the bomb to protest against the judicial system after he had been conned out of €300,000, a sum that was never repaid. The Morvillo Falcone school, named after the wife of an anti-mafia magistrate killed by the mafia in a bomb blast 20 years ago, is a few hundred metres from the Brindisi courthouse.  My NewsSign Out Sign InCreate your free profileSections news Alerts died on May 19 when a homemade bomb exploded at a vocational school just as she and fellow pupils were arriving for morning classes Five other students were injured in the blast.Carlo Hermann / AFP - Getty Images Flowers are displayed outside the Francesca Laura Morvillo Falcone school on May 21 in Brindisi Italian police have arrested two suspects over the bombing of a school that killed the 16-year-old girl and seriously injured five more teenagers.Carlo Hermann / AFP - Getty Images a 16-year-old Italian girl killed in a bomb attack "The most probable hypothesis is that it was an isolated act," Marco Dinapoli the Brindisi chief prosecutor said at a press conference Police have a facial composite picture of the suspect they believe set off the bomb that killed 16-year-old Melissa Bassi and injured five other students on Saturday A one-minute video filmed by a camera on a food stand nearby shows a man wearing a dark jacket and sneakers leaning against a wall and pressing a button on a device Story: Lone bomber, not mafia, sought for Italy school attack. More news from Italy: Aftershocks rattle Italy, residents sleep outdoors. A teddy bear and flowers are displayed in the classroom of Melissa Bassi at the Francesca Laura Morvillo Falcone school on May 21 ahead of her funeral.Carlo Hermann / AFP - Getty Images Follow @msnbc_pictures RWE has started construction of a new onshore wind farm in Italy. Following the commissioning of its 25.2-megawatt (MW) Selinus wind farm at the end of 2022 the company has now started construction of its 54-MW San Severo onshore wind farm 12 turbines with a capacity of 4.5 MW each will be installed in the province of Foggia in the municipality of San Severo and are scheduled to be commissioned by the end of 2024 The investment volume amounts to approximately €92 million CEO RWE Renewables Europe & Australia: “Italy is one of our key markets for green growth We at RWE are excited to start the construction work on a new major onshore wind project with up to 55,000 Italian homes to be supplied annually San Severo is an important step in support of Italy’s ambitious climate target to get to net zero by 2040 and to realise current plans to more than double onshore wind capacity to 26 gigawatts by 2030.”  RWE Renewables Italia – strong presence in Italian market for renewables  takes an integrated project approach that incorporates the development construction and operation as well as marketing of wind farms The company draws on its extensive experience to operate its business there with 15 onshore wind farms and an installed capacity of approximately 500 MW RWE also plans to start construction of its 54-MW Mondonuovo wind farm in the municipality of Mesagne in the Apulia region Pictures of RWE wind farms in Italy (credit: RWE) are available at the RWE Media Centre A community celebrating Black voices, Black art, and Black folx. 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