The Stages
Continuing along the "litoranea" (coastal) road toward north, with the sea on the right for approximately 4 km, reaching the locality of (7) "Punta Penne", where you can see one of the ancient guard towers, built during the XIV century to prevent enemy troops disembarking at this point. There are several of these towers along this coast line, almost all of them being frustum-pyramidal shaped structures resting on square bases.
A few kilometres ahead you will reach the crossing which connects to the airport. Following the indications, you will find the beautiful Romanesque-gothic (8) church of St. Maria del Casale, which is not too far away from the airport.
Once you have visited this beautiful church, you can head in the direction of the city of Bari by turning onto the state road n. 379, which you will follow until you reach the exit lane indicated by the (9) church of St. Mary the Mother of the Church, also known as Jaddico. Here you can take some time out and enjoy the quiet surroundings of this beautiful sanctuary. The next stage of this tour will take you 10km north to the (10) Protected Park of Torre Guaceto. To visit this Nature Reserve and Protected Marine Area it is necessary to contact the Serranova Visititors Centre (tel. 0831.989885). This ancient sighting tower was built in the 1531 by the marquis de Alarçon, as protection to the coast and its surroundings, where drinkable water was available. This area was inhabited during the XII century b.C. The populations which lived here during the Bronze Age developed activities such as ceramic manufacturing and also had navigational relationships with the Mycenaean people.
To reach the (11) Serranova village is very easy: from the Serranova exit on the SS 379 you follow the provincial road passing through the beautiful country side, adorned with century-old olive trees that have extraordinary shapes and dimensions.
From here, travelling in the direction of "S.Vito dei Normanni", you will find the monastic settlement of "Jannuzzo", where on a natural high ground, partially encircled from the "Reale Canal", there are several caves of various sizes; among these there is the famous (12) Crypt of St. Biagio, with frescos from the XI century on the vault and on the sidewalls, like episodes from the of Gospel. To visit these caves you can contact the "Coop.Thalassia" (tel. +39 0831 989885 - 0831 989986).