IMG_1334 - Puglia, the heel of Italy's boot, is historic farming country of grapes, almonds, cherries, and olives.
IMG_1335 - An olive tree nursery. Greeks came here from 800-700 BC and brought olive trees.
IMG_1337 - "Apuglia" means land without rain. These trees have strong roots that burrow to water deep in the limestone.
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IMG_1350 - Locorotondo. A defensive settlement from pre 1100 AD. It now has a population of ~14,000.
IMG_1356 - In the 11th century Benedictine fathers clear-cut the land, collected stones into walls and planted olives trees.
IMG_1359 - The Cisternino olive oil factory. For extra virgin oil, the olives and pits are crushed to a pulp by these stones.
IMG_1360 - The pulp is layered between these mats and pressed. The oil and water runs down and collects in the tray.