Puglia: Altamura

Hotels Restaurants Sights Shopping

Altamura is situated in the hills (Murge) with its historic center at the top of the hill (and there are some walls still intact). The town is medieval (yet there is evidence that it has been inhabited since the Neolithic age)…..This is a market town with some interesting monuments. The duomo is very beautiful and dates to the 13^th century. The façade has a rose window and the portals have some fine sculptures (The Last Supper). There are twin towers (added during the 16^th century) and are a departure from the architecture normally seen from this area (especially at that time). Inside do make sure you see the altar, the choir and the fine paintings. The Museo Archeologico has some very interesting finds from the area (prehistoric). You’ll also see "specchia" in the area which are just piles of stones — they seem to (or some believe) represent graves (as far back as the 8^th century). You’ll see them in the countryside between the towns as you travel. It’s a type of prehistoric and rural architecture that has confounded locals and architectural historians for a long, long time. They’re very interesting. The Chiesa di San Nicola (Greek) is a 16^th century church with some carved scenes on the portal. There are some archaeological grottos/caves with frescoes — and cave churches too (San Angel dei Grotti) — very interesting (watch for the signs).