About fifty kilometers from Bari stands Altamura, a city nestled in the Murge. Visiting Altamura is highly recommended for those who want to discover an authentic Puglia, far from the coast yet just as fascinating as the seaside towns. Soriano Service NCC offers the possibility of accompanying you and taking you to the Murgian city. An excellent choice to discover the wonders it holds.
Altamura can represent a stop on an itinerary that also includes Gravina in Puglia and Matera. The flexibility of the service and the various customer‑oriented solutions make the experience comfortable and cared for down to the smallest detail. Customer satisfaction is the fuel that feeds the passion for our work.
Visiting Altamura: Things You Absolutely Must Know!
The Claustri
To begin, we mention the claustri of the historic center of Altamura. A network of narrow streets interspersed with alleys and courtyards that characterize the old town. Not long ago, the famous DJ Bob Sinclair improvised a DJ set right inside a claustro, where the ancient Santa Caterina oven is located. The place is animated by elderly women from Altamura who became viral online thanks to the publication of funny videos about bread making.
Altamura Bread
The iconic product of Altamura, known throughout Italy for its goodness and uniqueness.
Confirming this, in 2003 Altamura bread obtained the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) certification.
Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
In the oldest part of town, after passing through “Porta Bari,” the wonderful Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta appears before you. It was built between 1232 and 1254 by Frederick II. Visiting Altamura and missing this monument to Christianity would truly be a shame.
The Cathedral is recognizable by its two Romanesque bell towers, visible even from outside the city. Inside, you can admire three naves with columns featuring Byzantine‑style capitals. There are six chapels in the lower naves. One of them is dedicated to Saint Joseph and is decorated in Baroque style. Outside the Cathedral there are two stilophore lions.
The Lioness of Puglia
Altamura is called “The Lioness of Puglia.” This nickname is due to the resistance shown by the people of Altamura against the Bourbon army. In fact, in 1799 the inhabitants of Altamura rose up against the Bourbons with the aim of coming under republican influence.
The Altamura Man
Altamura is famous for the discovery in 1993, in the Lamalunga cave, of the skeleton of a Neanderthal. In “Palazzo Baldassarre” it is possible to learn everything about this important scientific discovery.
To give enthusiasts a complete picture of the Altamura Man, a visit to the “Lamalunga Visitor Center” and, of course, to the “National Archaeological Museum” is recommended. Here a reproduction of “Ciccillo,” the name given to the man who lived in these areas more than 128,000 years ago, is displayed.
Archaeological and Natural Sites
In the vast territory of Altamura there are archaeological and natural sites. Among others, we recall:
-
the “Megalithic Walls,”
-
the “Dinosaur Quarry,”
-
the karst caves,
-
and the so‑called “Pulo di Altamura” (the largest karst sinkhole of the Alta Murgia).
Gastronomia altamurana
Altamura offers numerous local products. We have already mentioned the PDO bread. Unmissable are the taralli, focaccia, cardoncelli mushrooms, the “PGI Lentil,” and wild asparagus. A traditional local dish is the renowned “Pecora alla Rizzola.” A source of pride for Altamura is the liqueur “Padre Peppe.”
In conclusion, these are just some of the reasons to visit Altamura. A town truly worthy of a tourist visit, considering the large number of interesting places in every field: cultural, scientific, naturalistic, and gastronomic.
Visit Altamura? Do it with Soriano Service NCC. The Lioness of Puglia awaits you with its historic center, churches, archaeological and natural sites.