a region previously thought to be free of the bacterium
leading to concerns about the spread of the disease in Italy’s important olive-producing area
Local authorities are implementing prevention protocols to contain the spread of the disease
but there are calls for more resources and research to find a definitive solution to stop the bacterium and protect the olive oil industry in Apulia
An olive tree located north of Bari, in an area previously thought to be free of Xylella fastidiosa
has been found infected with the bacterium
Xylella monitoring operations conducted across the Puglia region allowed local researchers to identify an early infection
A point source outbreak is when an infected tree is the only one showing signs of infection among hundreds of trees tested in the area
Local institutions confirmed that the bacterium found in Minervino Murge belongs to Xylella fastidiosa subspecies pauca, the same strain that has affected millions of Apulian trees for over a decade
the most probable cause of infection is the spittlebug
an insect considered the vector of the bacterium
the insect remains infective for the rest of its life
The discovery has alarmed the local community
as the Bari province is at the heart of Italy’s most important olive-producing area
It has been reported that the broad implementation of mandatory prevention protocols to contain the spittlebug population has considerably slowed down the bacterium
Still, Xylella fastidiosa pauca continues heading north. Over the past decade, it has advanced approximately 250 kilometers, from the first sites where Xylella was identified to the latest infection in Minervino
“The fear we had long expressed has unfortunately become a tragic reality
The deadly Xylella fastidiosa bacterium has reached the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani
and now it’s here with us,” Gaetano Riglietti
secretary-general of the agricultural workers’ union Flai-Cgil
While the spittlebug is known to move only short distances on its own
it is often attracted to cars and trucks; clinging to them might allow it to carry Xylella over longer distances
Current European Union and local regulations mandate that the infected tree be removed and that an infected zone be declared within a 50-meter radius
the entire 50-meter area is sprayed to eradicate any potential vector insects
all plants susceptible to Xylella infection are sampled
extensive sampling of olive trees and other potential hosts is also conducted
an area where special containment protocols apply
now extends 2.5 kilometers from the point of infection
“Minervino Murge must be included among the municipalities of the Bari
Taranto and Brindisi provinces where mandatory agricultural practices must be carried out
harrowing or shredding to reduce the population of the spittlebug,” noted the farming association Coldiretti
In its statement
Coldiretti emphasized that mechanical and phytosanitary prevention practices
plant sampling and the removal of infected olive trees
along with new tools for early detection of outbreaks
are the only ways to slow the spread of the infection
since there is still no cure for this bacterial disease
According to another farming association, CIA Puglia, current prevention measures and anti-Xylella actions are not sufficient
“We urgently need the government to appoint a special commissioner capable of driving a real breakthrough in the plan for containment and regeneration,” wrote Gennaro Sicolo
president of CIA Puglia and national vice president of CIA Agricoltori Italiani
it is time for “extraordinary resources and powers.”
the Puglia region and the government must work together to secure the necessary attention and resources from the European Union to fund scientific research that will finally lead to a definitive solution to stop the bacterium,” Sicolo said
the northward spread of the bacterium could threaten the entire Apulian olive oil industry
we are deeply concerned about the potential consequences for employment
olive growing is not only our territorial vocation; it is also a defining feature of our landscape
history and the very culture of this part of Puglia,” he concluded
More articles on: Italy, Puglia (Apulia), Xylella fastidiosa
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Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights
Catherine Sabino is an editor and author who writes about travel.Follow AuthorSep 26
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#article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed .font-accent{font-family: Euclid,"Noto Sans","Droid Sans","Helvetica Neue",Corbel,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;}The ornate facade of the 18th-century Madonna dei Martiri in Altamura
As overtourism plagues more destinations each summer
travelers tired of dealing with unwieldy crowds
and premium hotel prices are increasingly checking out lesser-known spots like the Mugello and Etruscan Coast in Tuscany or the splendid villages of Imperia on the Italian Riviera
Puglia, one of Italy’s most popular destinations with more than five million visitors each year
is famous for seaside havens like Gargano and the Salento Coast
it still has places to discover without swarms of tourists
where towns and villages remain true to their roots
and continue to be uncrowded in peak season
(Visitors to Alta Murgia numbered around 100,000 in 2023
The Alta Murgia landscape with Castel del Monte in the distance
The Alta Murgia National Park covers nearly 263 square miles
Those who travel to the Alta Murgia often hail from Puglia and other parts of Italy
They come not only for outdoor sports—the National Park spans nearly 263 square miles and offers pristine landscapes for cycling and trekking—but for the cultural attractions in Alta Murgia’s cities and towns
provide glimpses into lesser-known aspects of pre-Renaissance Italian history
The Slow Food approach to cooking and products are other lures
(Culinary tourists can also go on truffle hunts in the Murgia.) Three UNESCO World Heritage sites
and the city of Matera in adjoining Basilicata are easy to reach
Andria and Altamura are Alta Murgia’s most visited cities. In Andria the star attraction is Castel del Monte, an imposing 13th-century citadel and the best-known stronghold of Frederick II
a charismatic and cosmopolitan medieval ruler (and Holy Roman Emperor)
a UNESCO site created in an octagonal shape
incorporates classic and Arab architectural elements
(Photo by Peter Meißner/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
Frederick II was instrumental to the development of Altamura, a city often considered one of southern Italy’s “hidden gems.” Known for his fervid support of the arts
and encouraged settlers to move to the city
promising religious tolerance and to sweeten the deal
These newcomers created distinct neighborhoods
taking up residence in buildings constructed around small courtyards called “claustri,” a defining characteristic of the city’s centro storico today
with many palazzi built between the 16th to 19th centuries
But Altamura’s history reaches back even further
named for the skeleton of a 35-year-old Neanderthal man discovered near the city in 1993
consists of three museums that showcase the city’s prehistoric past
The local culinary treat is Pane di Altamura
but more certainly from the late Middle Ages
it must be made according to a simple recipe with specific ingredients
like the Antica Forno Santa Caterina which opened in 1391
the Alta Murgia is home to 13 cities and towns
for its elevated position affording stunning views of the Murgian countryside
and the site of a medieval fair dating from 1294
The town is also well known for its dramatic aqueduct bridge
Although not one of the official Alta Murgia municipalities
a pristine locale with a jigsaw-like centro storico filled with white stone buildings
Palo del Colle is rich in history,” says Sabrina Piccininni
it was once a territory of the powerful Milan Sforza clan
maintained a residence (now the Palazzo dei Principi Filomarino) and helped expand and renovate the main church
Palo has many churches brimming with ecclesiastical art; like the Baroque Chiesa del Purgatorio
originally built for the parish’s aristocrats
Outdoor altars venerating various saints are located throughout the town
Palo del Colle draws about 7000 visitors a year
which led to the creation of the town’s Palio
(Palo’s Palio del Viccio typically takes place on Shrove Tuesday.)
She notes that roots tourism is very common here with travelers seeking to learn about their ancestry “arriving from Germany
The town is also well-known for its freshly baked taralli
wheat-based biscuits that are often flavored with fennel seed and served with aperitifs
Young vintners like Nicola and Francesco Toto
are creating a new chapter for Murgia wines with award-winning labels like Il Miglione Rosso and Giulette Bianco
The Castello Marchesale/Palazzo Ducale dates from 1104
It was expanded and modified over the centuries
Well known for its prized Slow Food almonds
dates at least to the ninth or tenth centuries
The centro storico includes a Norman-era clock tower and a medieval Castello Marchesale/Ducal Palace
(The ducal portion of the palace is now owned by Giuseppe Paccione
an attorney in Toritto; the ground floor and courtyard are sometimes used for events)
Other landmarks include the Palazzo D’Urso with beautiful frescoes
and heritage churches (San Nicola dating from 1402 and the 11th-century Madonna delle Grazie)
Between three and four thousand men and women emigrated to the Americas from Toritto during the late 19th and early 20th centuries
an exodus commemorated by a monument in the town
The town is famous for its prized Slow Food almonds
Almonds are the specialty of the town and sought-after by chefs throughout Italy
Each September Toritto celebrates its famous product with a sagra and events
and a food festival highlighting Toritto flavors
according to Francesco Palmiotto of Proloco Toritto
D’Urso runs the farm estate with her husband Domenico Viti
The Masseria Pilapalucci dates from the 16th century
The Masseria includes a bed and breakfast with a restaurant and pool
Heading up the culinary efforts is renowned chef and cookbook author
who reinvents classic Puglian dishes utilizing the bounty of the Murgia countryside
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has grown into one of the most celebrated music festivals in Southern Italy
this year marks the festival’s 20th edition
Primarily based in the picturesque town of Locorotondo
one of Italy’s “most beautiful villages,” the festival also spreads across various other locations in Puglia
Diverse Line-up: The Locus Festival is known for its eclectic mix of genres
The festival not only offers exceptional music but also immerses visitors in the unique charm of Puglia
The festival’s spread across various iconic locations in Puglia allows participants to experience the full spectrum of the region’s cultural and natural beauty
from the historic streets of Locorotondo to the coastal allure of Bari
Plan your visit to the Locus Festival 2024 to enjoy a summer filled with music
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When it comes to postcard perfect – or
#panorama perfect – holiday destinations
the vast region encompassing the heel of Italy’s well-trod boot from its ankle to its stiletto tip
along which is strung a sequence of small towns each more endearing than the last
Long the province of summer holidays for well sunned and well fed Italians who’ve made generous use of its turquoise beaches
abundant fresh seafood and embrace of a dolce vita ethos
Puglia is proving just as popular a destination in the winter months when
though its too cold to swim and idle away days by the Adriatic and Ionian seas
the lack of beach centric distractions (and
tourists) open up the region’s inland
Raised in this dynamic region is publisher turned debut author Elisabetta Minervini
who was born in the medieval port city Molfetta near the capital of Bari
and who has since transplanted her love for the Puglian lifestyle and its vibrant cuisine to her new home in London
Mammissima: Family Cooking from a Modern Italian Mamma (out now)
Minervini – a mother of two with her own business
Alma Books – espouses the virtues of an approach to cooking that privileges speed and simplicity over house spent slaving above the stove
Puglian cuisine enjoys a similar no nonsense approach
Think the core elements of Italian cuisine amplified by the region’s bountiful produce: mussels
basil and parsley play off against the region’s special white truffle of Corigliano d’Otranto
widely known as the Florence of the South and the capital of Salento; to the Gargano prominatory
with its breathtaking beaches and national park in the north and the southernmost point of Santa Maria di Leuca
the Puglian region is vast and various and sure to induce an appetite as wide-ranging as the land
Minervini provides us with a culinary roadmap to four days spent in her beloved Puglia region
Mammissima: Family Cooking from a Modern Italian Mamma
Five people registered in the register of suspects for the death of the 26-year-old from Barletta
in the countryside between Canosa di Puglia e Minervino MurgeThe date of his disappearance
marks the beginning of an investigation that led to the registration of five suspects by the District Anti-Mafia Directorate of Bari
The investigations are focusing on a murder that has aggravating factors of a mafia nature
an aspect that makes the situation even more disturbing
Authorities have launched an in-depth investigation
and the recent listing of five people in the register of suspects represents a possible turning point
Among the suspects are three citizens of Barletta
a resident of Minervino Murge and an Albanian citizen
Investigators are working to gather evidence and testimonies that can clarify the circumstances of Diviesti's death
The certainty that the body found belongs to the young hairdresser will come only after the outcome of specific tests
In addition to the investigation of the suspects
a villa located near the site where the body was found has been seized
Investigators have taken away objects and documents that could prove crucial to the continuation of the investigation
This development highlights the commitment of law enforcement to shed light on a case that has raised great concern among citizens
The presence of mafia elements in the context of Diviesti's murder raises disturbing questions about security and organized crime in the region
Notizie.it is a newspaper registered with the Court of Milan n.68 on 01/03/2018
Impara come descrivere lo scopo dell'immagine (si apre in una nuova scheda)
Lascia vuoto se l'immagine è puramente decorativa