In this article, we explore five hidden treasures in the province of Bari. By “hidden treasures,” we mean little‑known places that offer unique beauty and historical significance. Soriano Service NCC can accompany you to discover these sites, far from the usual tourist routes. Contact us — we’re at your disposal.
Chiesa Ognissanti di Cuti – Valenzano
The Ognissanti di Cuti Church is located along a charming country road. The structure is built in the style of Apulian Romanesque architecture. It is also a three‑domed church, constructed using the same technique used for the trulli in the nearby Itria Valley. The interior consists of three naves, although the original furnishings were likely stolen over the years.
Originally, the Ognissanti di Cuti Church was a Benedictine monastery built between 1061 and 1078. In addition to the structure we still admire today, the complex once included other monastic buildings, a vegetable garden, a vineyard, and defensive walls.
Around 1320, the Bari Curia decided to establish an agricultural fair within the monastery grounds. This gave rise to the famous fair held on All Saints’ Day in Valenzano. This church is truly a hidden treasure of the Bari area, and visitors are often impressed by the beauty radiating from this building in the heart of the countryside. It’s the perfect place to spend a peaceful few hours.
Foresta Mercadante – Cassano delle Murge
Mercadante Forest is part of the Alta Murgia National Park. It lies mostly within the territory of Cassano delle Murge, with a small portion extending into Altamura. It is considered the green lung of the Bari province, covering approximately 1,300 hectares. In 1926, the first Aleppo pines (mostly) were planted to help prevent flooding from the Murgia reaching the Bari hinterland.
Mercadante Forest is an ideal place to escape the chaos of the city and recharge. It features marked trails and picnic areas equipped with tables and benches. For this reason, it is very popular among trekking and mountain‑bike enthusiasts, thanks to its dedicated routes. Owls, little owls, kestrels, buzzards, foxes, and wild boars have also made the forest their home.
Abbazia San Vito Martire – San Vito frazione Polignano a Mare
Among the five hidden treasures of the Bari province, the Abbey of San Vito is a must. It is located in the hamlet of San Vito, in the municipality of Polignano a Mare. The site is truly enchanting. The religious structure stands right by the sea and was built in the distant 10th century. It is a privately owned Benedictine abbey with a quadrangular layout and an upper‑level portico featuring round arches. The bell tower, made of Lecce stone, adds to the charm of the place.
The building is very well preserved and has appeared several times as a filming location in the TV series Le indagini di Lolita Lobosco. Its proximity to Polignano a Mare makes it easy to plan a visit to the abbey followed by a stroll through the town’s iconic viewpoints. Another hidden treasure of the Bari province not to be missed.
Chiesa rurale dell’Annunziata – Bari
This church is located between the districts of Santo Spirito and Palese and is believed to have been built in 1190. It features a Romanesque style and is made of local tuff stone with a square floor plan. The façade includes an almost central entrance portal, while on the right side of the structure there is a loggia with pointed arches and a barrel vault.
Inside, the floor is made of traditional Apulian chianche, and the ceiling is vaulted. The interior walls are decorated with tempera frescoes. For lovers of rural churches, this is an unmissable stop. It preserves the charm of countryside chapels and carries the history and traditions of the Bari area. Another small hidden treasure waiting to be discovered.
Casale medievale di Balsignano – Modugno
The last of the five hidden treasures in the province of Bari is located in the territory of Modugno. The medieval hamlet of Balsignano was once an ancient rural settlement. Within its fortified walls, you can find two churches: Santa Maria di Balsignano and San Felice.
Santa Maria dates back to the 14th century and has a rectangular floor plan with an ogival barrel vault, although the frescoes inside are heavily damaged. The Church of San Felice, on the other hand, dates back to the 11th century and is a perfect example of Apulian Romanesque style, with a cross‑shaped layout.
The site is set in a very evocative landscape, surrounded by the countryside of the Bari area. In recent years, the medieval hamlet of Balsignano has been restored and opened to visitors, becoming an important attraction for lovers of medieval history.