Rutigliano

Since 2010, this town of 18,418 residents has held the official title of City of Art, yet its defining craft dates back to the Neolithic era. Rutigliano is synonymous with terracotta pottery and intricately painted clay whistles. Every January 17, the feast of St. Anthony Abbot triggers a massive fair dedicated entirely to these ceramic instruments.

Beyond the artisan kilns producing traditional slow-cooking pots, the area is an agricultural powerhouse known for its table grapes. Located southeast of Bari, it balances a rich architectural heritage with serious farming output. Picking up a handmade whistle during a visit is practically mandatory to support this ancient Apulian trade.