Porto Vecchio (Old Port) is the historic harbor of Monopoli and one of the most distinctive maritime landmarks on the Adriatic coast of southern Italy. Moreover, Porto Vecchio is widely considered the most picturesque area of Monopoli. It is located at the northern edge of the historic center, where the ancient city meets the sea, and has played a central role in the urban, economic, and defensive development of Monopoli for more than two millennia. The port occupies a naturally sheltered inlet that opens eastward toward the Adriatic Sea. This natural configuration explains why the earliest settlement of Monopoli developed precisely around this harbor area. Today, Porto Vecchio remains an active port, though its function has shifted almost entirely toward traditional fishing and small-scale maritime activities. It is the authentic home of the city’s typical fishing boats, known as gozzi (or vozz in the local dialect). These wooden boats are generally around five meters long and are still used daily by local fishermen. Painted in bright red, blue, green, and white, the gozzi are both functional working vessels and a strong visual symbol of Monopoli’s maritime identity. The red lighthouse marking the port entrance, the imposing Castle of Charles V overlooking Read more [...]