The Normans appeared in the region in the 11th century as mercenaries of Melo, the sovereign of Bari and, even though they were initially defeated by the Byzantines, until 1071 they had conquered and plundered the region and had also managed to impose as governor of the region the Normand Roberto Guiscardo, Duke of Apulia and Calabria. In the centuries to come, the region was subjugated to alternating conquerors emanating from the Francs of Western Europe. During the 11th and until the13th century the region developed significantly, since it was a place of departure for the Crusades to the East and Istanbul.

The next conquerors of the area were the Swabians (1189), the Angevins (1266) the Aragonese (1442), the Spanish (1503-1707) and the Bourbons (1738-1860), periods during which the region was under the yoke of feudal administration.

During the French decade (1806-1815) the king of the dynasty Joachim Murat, abolished feudalism and thus began the invigoration of the region and the harbour of Taranto. Apulia was united with Italy in 1860 and shared the same fate with the Italian state ever since.

On the contrary, from the medieval period, almost 30 castles are preserved, spread throughout Apulia, bearing witness to the conquerors that passed from there.

The remains of an old Christian Basilica in Canosa... Picture © Αpulia – A guide to the culture of Apulia	...and the church of San Pietro in Otranto dating back to the 10th century A.D. Picture © Αpulia – A guide to the culture of Apulia

The Cattolica Church (meaning in Greek the Catholic of a monastery) in Stilo of Calabria, dating back to the 9th century A.D. ...	...the church of Santa Maria Panaghia in Rossano...	...and the Oratorio di S. Marco, the former Aghia Anastasia, are representative samples of ecclesiastical architecture of the Byzantine era in South Italy.

The Otranto castle from the period of the Aragonese conquerors in the 15th century © Puglia seen from Heaven – Pictures’ © Luca Di Napoli	The Barletta castle, the core of which was built by the Normans and was constructed in its final shape in the 16th century © Puglia seen from Heaven – Pictures’ © Luca Di Napoli

The rulers of South Italy and Apulia and their place of origin. Apulia united with the rest of Italy in 1860. The dates are indicative since in sections of the area several conquerors alternated with each other.

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