Polytechnic of Bari
Laboratory of Architectural Photogrammetry
Relief from aerial platform
BRENCOLA TOWER - PALESE - BARI - 1983

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Torre di Brencola or Brengola was located along the old Palese-Bitonto road, in the west of the airport and was reached by following the road parallel to the airport runway. The locality was known as Pezze di Candela. Unfortunately it was then found in the area intended for the expansion of the civil airport and, as foreseen by the project, it was razed to the ground during the 90s in order to allow the landing runway to be extended by almost a kilometer and the installation of the ILS system that allows blind flight in the presence of poor visibility due to fog or haze.
The survey was carried out in 1983 on behalf of the Superintendency for Monuments of Bari and, since the farmer prevented access, he resorted to the aerial platform.

Cenni storici

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The building consisted of two farm towers dating back to the 17th century, placed opposite each other on the two sides of the mule track, and belonged to the Brencola (or Brengola) family. The towers were built one in 1617 and the other in 1646, as evidenced by two tombstones with epigraphs. The older one was provided with an inscription and a coat of arms - presumably of the owner family - placed on the architrave of the entrance of the chapel adjacent to the residence. It was possible to read the following epigraph:

D.O.M.
VOLUPTAS E PIETASNE
FORET DIVIDUAE HIS CE HORTIS
SACELLU HOC DIVO IOI BAPAE IOES BAEA
RIPA DICAVIT 1617

which brings the dedication of the church to San Giovanni Battista. The tower was two-storied with a staircase leading to the first floor facing the hinterland, while access to the ground floor rooms - used for storage - opened towards the street where the chapel entrance was located. The second tower dates back to 1646, was fenced, arranged on three floors with central drains and with several rooms for agricultural activity. On the entrance arch of this building there was the other plaque, also surmounted by a coat of arms identical to the previous one:

AD MARE QUI PROPERAS, VIRINDAS TE PROVOCAT HORTUS
INGREDERE, NUNC OFFERT BRENCOLA PROGENIES
NON NITOR AEQUOREUS; PLANTAE MAGIS UMBRA PLACEBIT
HORTUM HUNC NEPTUNUS NON FRETA CALCAT EQUO
ANNO SALUTIS
1646

The epigraph offered the well-wishing greeting of the Brencola family to those who were headed for the beach and the invitation to enter, to enjoy the green and lush vegetable garden, preserved up to our times.