Italy's Unknown South - Apulia and Basilicata
Dreamlike landscapes + spectacular testimonies of great cultural history, according to "National Geographic", Puglia in the "boot" of Italy is one of the most beautiful regions in the world. The southernmost tip of the country between the Adriatic Sea + the Ionian Sea exudes a mixture of originality, culture and lifestyle. To this day, the people are deeply rooted in the traditions of their land. Puglia has become a region of longing. Close to the border with Puglia is Matera. The old town with its caves is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Chef Carlo Pozzuoli runs a restaurant in one of the caves. He is the man for typical specialities of his home town + has to cook an official dish representing Matera as European Capital of Culture 2019. Angelo Pentassuglia lives in the Valle d'Itria. The 34-year-old is a fifth-generation trullaro. He is one of the few skilled craftsmen who can still make the special roofs of a trullo, the typical round houses in the region. Around 1,000 of these pointed-cap houses can be found in Alberobello. The UNESCO-protected trulli resemble giant termite mounds. The building form most likely originates from Syria. Ceramics have been produced in Grottaglie since the 16th century. Pumos are made here: pottery buds that are supposed to bring good luck, according to the widespread belief in Apulia. The Fasano family has been in the ceramics business for three generations. Enza Fasano is the master of pumos. Each one is handmade, of course + unique. Puglia is full of centuries-old traditions. In Putignano, for example, carnival has been celebrated since 1394. It starts as early as 26 December every year + is the longest lasting in Italy. Deni Bianco is a papier-mâché master + has already designed stage sets for the Pope and for the 60th birthday of the singer Madonna. But his heart belongs to the carnival floats. He tinkers with them for months to get a place on the winner's rostrum at the big competition. Stella Temperanza lives in the very south, on the Salento peninsula. She is the "little star in the sky" of the Pizzica dance. The dance is said to have its origins in mythology, connected with Dionysus, the god of wine and ecstasy. It was also believed to have a therapeutic effect. If someone was stung by a tarantula while working in the fields, he was supposed to dance until the poison disappeared from his body. Nowadays, however, Stella Temperanza simply wants to thrill the audience.