Away from the sea and inland Putignano is a town rich in history. Since 1394, the town has been transformed for Carnival starting December 26 through Shrove Tuesday. As one of the oldest Carnival events in all of Europe its origins date to the Knights of St. John who transferred the relics of St. Stephen from the seaside town of Monopoli to Putignano to protect them from an attack. The rest of the year when the well preserved old town is not celebrating and parading large floats through the town it is filled with balconies and piazzas bursting with flowers, plants and of course laundry.