| Halfway between Bari and Taranto, Noci stands on Murge foreland, between Putignano, Alberobello and Gioia del Colle 420 meters above sea level. This city owes its name to several walnut trees once covering this area. Its woody heritage certainly is one of the most typical naturalistic elements in its territory. Fragno (Quercus Troiana) has been representing the only environmental and economic sustenance for early settlers.
The documentation on the origins of this towns was kept in the parish archive and was destroyed during a the 1529 fire. Scholars trace its origins back to Middle Ages. According to a legend, Filippo d’Angiò had the first church built as a mark of gratitude after he was sheltered by a walnut tree during a storm. During Angevin domination, Noci became “Universitas Regia”. With the Acquaviva d’Aragona, it was raised to the rank of Dukedom and was connected with the history of the Kingdom of Naples. |