The project
PAST stands for Archaeological, Historical and Tourist Heritage. A point of access to places, routes and activities that tell the story of Puglia's cultural heritage. PAST is a project by Associazione Le Colonne.
Heritage and territory
Puglia preserves a rich historical, archaeological and artistic heritage made of castles, historic centres, museums, monumental sites and cultural landscapes that tell the story of local identity and traditions.
PastPuglia was created to make this heritage more accessible through a platform that gathers places of interest, guided routes, cultural activities and digital tools designed to support the visit.
The aim is to offer clear, organised and reliable access to cultural content, connecting visitors with the experiences available in different municipalities across Puglia.
The PastPuglia app
With PastPuglia you can check up-to-date opening hours for castles, museums and historic sites, book guided tours and activities in a few clicks, and download audio guides that work even without a connection. Your ticket stays on your phone — just show it at the entrance.
Notifications let you know about special openings, events at nearby sites and new visits added to the calendar. No sign-up, no password: just what's needed to complete the booking and enjoy the visit.
Upcoming experiences
Guided visits to sites and cultural contexts of particular relevance.
The Municipal Library of Carovigno, established in 1973, is named after the distinguished lawyer and writer from Carovigno, Salvatore Morelli, who served as a deputy in Parliament from 1867. He was an advocate for women's emancipation and children's education. The spacious premises, located on the ground floor of the Dentice di Frasso Castle, were converted from the ancient stables of the manor…
Castello Alfonsino, a jewel of military architecture, is one of the defensive bastions of the city of Brindisi. Also known as the Aragonese Castle, the Sea Castle or the "Red" Castle, it owes this last name to the colour the stone used in its construction takes on at sunset. Located on the island of Sant'Andrea, at the mouth of Brindisi's inner harbour, it stands on the ruins of a Benedictine…
The Dentice di Frasso Castle in Carovigno, probably of Norman foundation, is located near the historic center of the town, on a promontory that overlooks the entire coastal area. It is characterized by its peculiar triangular shape - assumed during the 16th century - and the presence of fortifications at its vertices: the square tower, the round tower, and finally the lanceolate tower, also known…
The Archaeological Collection Faldetta is housed inside the elegant Palazzina del Belvedere, a building with a beautiful terrace overlooking the inner harbor of the city, just a few steps away from the Roman Columns and what is believed to be the house where the poet Virgil died in 19 BC. It consists of over 300 artifacts that cover a chronological span from the end of the Late Bronze Age to the…
The Swabian Castle of Brindisi, also known as the Land Castle, strategically located on the powerful inlet of the city's inner harbour, was built in the 13th century at the behest of Emperor Frederick II of Swabia. The complex, originally trapezoidal in plan, was further fortified during the Aragonese period, when it was equipped with a defensive wall and circular towers capable of adequately…
In the heart of San Michele Salentino stands the “Salvatore Cavallo” Art Gallery, a prestigious cultural space that represents a key reference point for the artistic life of the area. Housed in a spacious building recently renovated, the Gallery extends over two floors connected by a wide and sinuous staircase that guides visitors along a harmonious and evocative exhibition path. The overall…
Routes connecting multiple stops and building a broader reading of the territory.
Thematic visits, events and initiatives dedicated to the cultural enjoyment of the territory.
Are you a Puglian artist? This exhibition is for you! The “Salvatore Cavallo” Pinacoteca** in San Michele Salentino opens its doors to visual artists **residing and/or working in Puglia. From December 2026 to June 2027, the Pinacoteca will host a series of personal and temporary exhibitions, dedicated to different artistic languages, techniques, approaches and generations. An opportunity to…
Interactive map
Places of interest, cultural routes and activities to explore the city and its surroundings.
The territory map helps visitors and residents find their way among the main points of interest. It allows users to discover places to visit, read free information about local history and heritage, and see where activities, guided routes and experiences offered by PastPuglia are available.
For schools
Themed visits, workshops and itineraries designed for school classes and educational groups, from primary school to university.
Every year we welcome thousands of students at the sites we look after. Each place has its own programme, put together with teachers and researchers: hands-on workshops for primary schools, historical and themed visits for middle and high schools, interdisciplinary itineraries for universities and training institutes. School bookings go through a dedicated channel, with the enrolment form, the full programme and the contact person for each site.
Insights
A section dedicated to explaining the project, its mission, the functioning of digital services and the approach to enhancing the archaeological, historical and tourist heritage of Puglia.
P.A.S.T. stands for Archaeological, Historical and Tourist Heritage and is a project created and promoted by Associazione Le Colonne Arte Antica e Contemporanea.
The association has been operating in Puglia since 2013 with an action oriented towards conservation, enhancement of inherited beauty and openness to new audiences.
Heritage education: through collaboration with schools, which are addressed every year with a rich educational program.
Audience development: involving groups traditionally excluded from cultural offerings through inclusive events and initiatives.
Innovation: through digital solutions such as QR code systems and the PastPuglia platform that provide immediate access to cultural content.
PastPuglia was created with the goal of developing an advanced technological system to promote knowledge of historical sites and cultural activities in the Puglia region.
The system was designed as a client-server platform connected to a management system that allows continuous publishing and updating of content.
The Past Puglia project was created with the goal of making citizens aware of the beauty of the Puglia region.
The goal is to build a new communication model between those working in tourism and citizens.
This model focuses on accuracy, fast access to information and the enhancement of historical heritage.
Past Puglia App is a mobile application available for free on Android devices through Google Play.
The app and the PastPuglia.it website are developed using a client-server model that allows real-time content updates.
One of the main innovations introduced by PastPuglia is the use of QR codes to distribute informational content.
QR codes allow users to easily access information and content through their smartphone.
Purchases and bookings for visits and activities can be made without the need for registration.
Transmitted data is encrypted to ensure the security and protection of information.
PastPuglia
Promoting and enhancing cultural heritage, raising awareness among younger generations, strengthening the museum-school-territory relationship and keeping cultural spaces alive. Support the activities of Associazione Le Colonne and the projects connected to PastPuglia through one of the channels below.
