If you want to uncover the real Stories from Puglia, skip the shiny tourist spots and dive into Bari Vecchia — the beating heart of Bari’s old town.
It’s a place where laundry swings overhead on lines strung between buildings and nonnas sit outside their homes, rolling fresh pasta like they’ve done for decades.
It’s raw, real and full of life.
That’s exactly where you’ll find Lina — or Angela, as she’s known officially — a true Puglian legend.
She’s part of the famous Pasta Ladies of Bari, women who have been shaping dough into delicate orecchiette right on their doorsteps for generations. Meeting Lina is like stepping back in time and tasting the soul of Puglia.
The Charm of Bari Vecchia: More Than Just a Tourist Spot
When most people think of Puglia, they imagine sun-soaked beaches, olive groves, and trulli houses. Those are beautiful, no doubt. But the real magic often hides in the bustling alleyways of Bari Vecchia.
It’s a world where locals live at a slower pace, and life revolves around simple, enduring traditions.
Walking through Bari Vecchia, you’ll see women — many of them nonnas — sitting outside, rolling pasta with their bare hands.
The streets are narrow and cobbled, laundry hangs between buildings like colorful banners, and the scent of freshly made food drifts through the air. This is where you connect with the culture and community of Puglia.
Skip the fancy restaurants and touristic traps. If you want to experience Puglia for what it really is, this is the place to be. And at the heart of this world is Lina.
Meet Lina: A Living Legend of Orecchiette
Angela, or Lina as everyone calls her, was born in 1956. By the age of 7, she was already working with dough, learning a craft that had been passed down through generations.
It was 1963 — and Lina was part of what would become a treasured tradition in Bari.
She was one of the first “Pasta Ladies” to sit outside her home and sell homemade pasta directly to her neighbours and visitors.
Imagine that: long before social media or food trends, Lina was proudly shaping dough by hand, sharing a piece of Puglian culture with everyone who stopped by.
The Art of Making Orecchiette
If you’ve ever seen orecchiette, you know it’s not just any pasta. These little “ear-shaped” pasta pieces have a rough, wrinkled surface that’s perfect for holding sauce.
And Lina’s technique for making them is truly special.
Back in the day, Lina used just her fingers and thumbs to roll the dough on the board — a flick here, a gentle push there. It’s a skill that takes years to perfect. These days, she uses a knife with tiny serrated teeth.
This tool drags the dough and creates that classic rough edge, ensuring every orecchietta hugs the sauce just right.
But no matter the tools, the pride and care Lina puts into every piece are what really make them stand out.
Stories From Puglia: More Than Just Pasta
Lina’s story isn’t just about making food. It’s about preserving a culture and sharing it with the world. In her home, she even has a bronze statue of Saint Nicholas — a symbol of the city of Bari and its deep-rooted traditions.
Strada delle Orecchiette, or Orecchiette Street, where Lina works, is famous worldwide now. It’s become a living museum of sorts, a place where tradition meets everyday life.
And Lina is one of its proudest keepers.
Spending time with her and the other Pasta Ladies gives you a real sense of Puglia’s soul. It’s about patience, pride and the joy of making something with your own hands.
Every orecchietta carries a story — a story of family, history, and community.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Bari Vecchia
Bari Vecchia is often overlooked by tourists rushing to the coast or the more polished parts of Puglia. But this old town is a treasure chest of culture.
It’s where you see life lived simply but fully. Kids play in the streets, neighbours chat from their balconies, and the scent of garlic, tomatoes, and fresh dough fills the air.
Laundry hanging overhead, pasta being made right outside homes, and elderly women who have spent a lifetime perfecting their craft — this is Puglia’s beating heart.
Visiting Bari Vecchia and meeting Lina is like stepping into a storybook. It reminds you that travel is about people and culture, not just sights.
How Lina’s Story Connects Us All
For me, meeting Lina wasn’t just about tasting amazing pasta. It was deeply personal.
Watching her work, I was transported back to my own childhood, visiting my parents’ villages in India, where cooking outside with family was a way of life.
The connection was immediate — the way Lina shapes dough with care reminded me of those simple, heartfelt moments.
This is the power of Stories From Puglia — they connect us, across continents, through shared traditions and human warmth.
Plan Your Visit to Meet Lina
If you’re heading to Puglia, make sure Bari Vecchia is on your list. Wander through the narrow streets, watch the nonnas make pasta, and don’t be shy to stop and chat.
And if you want to meet Lina, you’ll find her on Strada delle Orecchiette.
Seeing her work her magic with dough is a highlight you won’t forget. You can see her in action here.
This isn’t just a food experience. It’s a deep dive into a culture, a chance to slow down and appreciate the stories that make Puglia unique.
These stories From Puglia are more than just tales — they’re lived experiences, steeped in tradition and connection, that linger long after you’ve left.
Meeting Lina and walking Bari Vecchia showed me that the best travel memories come from people, not just places.
So, next time you’re in Puglia, don’t just visit the tourist spots. Discover the real Puglia through its stories, its pasta, and its incredible people like Lina.
For more authentic experiences, check out Stories From Antigua and meet Ras Ritchie, a true soul of the Caribbean.
Ready to discover more in Puglia? Dive into my guide to hidden gems in Puglia and explore beyond the usual sights.
