GRAVINA AND ITS TREASURES
€ 26,00
-
- Everyday
- Duration: 4 h
- Accessibility: Not suitable
- Audio guide included for Gravina ita | ing
- Difficulty: Easy
For more information
The tour starts in Piazza Notar Domenico, with one of the most famous monuments of Gravina: the public fountain, today known as “Le Quattro Fontane”. An element of great historical value because it was one of the first fountains made in Gravina, it is linked to a legend according to which one night, the people of Altamura, who have always been rivals of Gravina, tried to steal the fountain that would have been used to embellish their city. It seems, however, that while they were trying to steal the fountain, the clock of the Finya Library struck the hours making the two characters depicted in the clock’s eyes move; thinking, therefore, to have been discovered, the people of Altamura ran away.
Continue your tour with a visit to the Church of San Michele delle Grotte, one of the oldest cave churches in Gravina, currently deconsecrated, which stands in the ancient Fondovito district along the banks of the Gravina stream.
Linked to the church of San Michele is the tragic historical event in which the citizens of Gravina, when it was invaded by the Saracens around the tenth century, took refuge in the temple, but here they were mercilessly slaughtered. The church then, remained deconsecrated for a long time and was used as a cemetery; in fact, even today inside you can see a large number of skulls and human bones belonging to the martyrs of Gravina.
From here, continue with a visit to the city’s current cathedral, the Co-cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Built right on the edge of the ravine that the city overlooks, a true masterpiece belonging to the Norman era, Gravina’s main place of worship and, rich in works of art that will leave you speechless. You have to know, moreover, that under the floor of the Cathedral there is the lower church, with three naves, which was used as an ossuary until 1633.
A little further on, you will reach the Church of the Purgatory, rich in works of art that will leave you speechless, built as a family mortuary chapel at the behest of Duke Ferdinand III, and dedicated to Santa Maria del Suffragio for the celebration of masses dedicated to the souls in purgatory.You’ll be interested to know that after the duke’s death, the duchess enlarged the church by adding the presbytery surmounted by a dome perfectly equal in structure to the dome of St. Peter’s in Rome.
From the church of the Purgatory, reach the Rione Piaggio, one of the oldest in the city, where the rock church of San Basilio is built: another small architectural and historical treasure of Gravina.
One of the most fascinating features of this place, which overlooks a panoramic terrace, is the splendid overall view of the Cathedral and the Ponte Acquedotto. The small temple was used as a church and as a place for spiritual meetings, then it was closed and deconsecrated. You should know that the church was dedicated to St. Basil the Great because of the residence in Gravina of Brazilian monks of the Greek rite.
Continue the tour with a visit to the Crypt of San Vito Vecchio which, with its frescoes, will allow you to experience a total immersion in history. The first figure that will capture your attention, on the back wall, is the great Christ Pantocrator seated on a throne, blessing with his right hand and holding a “Book” open on a passage from the Gospel of St. John with his left hand.
Continue with a visit to the authentic church of Santa Sofia, built in 1500 in the heart of the Rione dei Greci, inside which you can admire its works that will leave you speechless, such as the sixteenth-century painting called “The Holy Family”, and its greatest masterpiece: the funeral mausoleum that houses the remains of Duchess Angela Castriota Scanderbeg, wife of Ferdinand Orsini of Aragon, the sixth Duke of Gravina.Next to the church of Santa Sofia, you can’t help but notice the ancient and majestic monastery of the Poor Clares dedicated to Santa Maria Scala Coeli, whose abbesses included Fulvia Orsini, one of the sisters of Gravina’s Pope Benedict XIII.
Connected to the Ponte Acquedotto (aqueduct bridge), thanks to the last remaining tower of the sixteenth-century walls, there is the so-called “Bastione Medievale” (Medieval Bastion), which represented not only a means of defence, but also a meeting place for many Gravinese, given the possibility of getting water and maybe having a chat. You have to know, in fact, that the bastions were defensive elements built around the 15th century and had the purpose of protecting the “cortine”, that is the straight stretches of wall more exposed to enemy attacks. Crossing the Bastion you can enjoy the suggestive view of the archaeological area of Petramagna and of the countless caves that characterize the landscape of the opposite side of the Canyon.
Almost hidden by the imposing Bastion, behind it, stands the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, a typical example of rock architecture of Greek Orthodox rite, carved into the steep part of the Gravina, probably built between 700 and 800 but discovered only in the 50s of last century following the renovation of Via Fontana la Stella. You have to know that this church was originally known as Santa Maria delle Tombe, because of the tombs present both inside and outside the church. Moreover, this is the only rocky church to have preserved, in the nave, the altar used during liturgical functions for the distribution of the Eucharist, called “ara”.
Proceeding, you reach the Ponte Acquedotto, situated on the ravine of the torrent, joining the new city to the old one, several times protagonist of important film sets, such as for the movie 007 “No Time to Die”, “Tolo Tolo” by Checco Zalone, “Pinocchio” by Garrone, “The Last Paradise” by Scamarcio, “Captain Maria”, “Maria Magdalena” and others.
From here, proceed until you reach the Necropolis of the Eternal Father, the first archaeological area excavated by researchers, which takes its name from the church Eternal Father next to which it stands. As well as being a necropolis, the Padre Eterno area was also an inhabited area, and it is likely that there was a craft district there, given the discovery of cisterns, channels, aqueducts, loom weights and kilns.
Once the cultural and historical part is over, take a break and taste our local products by choosing one of our partner restaurants: Fondo Crudo or Sottofondo.
-Fondo Crudo is a Japanese and South American style restaurant, with tasting menu € 30,00 per person (minimum 2 people)
-Sottofondo Gustoteca: restaurant with typical Apulian specialities, with tasting menu € 20,00 per person (minimum 2 people)
Important:
- Duration: 4 h
- Difficulty level: Easy excursion
- Accessibility: Not suitable for people with motor difficulties
- Animals allowed
- Visitors are advised to wear headphones to listen to the audio guide with their smartphones.
- We recommend wearing comfortable shoes
- Be there 10 minutes before the start time of the booked tour
- The itineraries and the duration of the excursions may be modified, cancelled or postponed in case of bad weather conditions.
- The meeting point is set at the IAT office in Gravina. ( Maps )
Included:
- Professional smartphone audio guide for Gravina
Not included:
- Entrance ticket to tourist sites
- Tourist guide
Prevention measures against Covid-19:
Compulsory face mask
The number of visitors allowed is limited in order to avoid gatherings.
Terms of cancellation:
- Requests for cancellation must be made via email to incoming@topputo.it.
You can cancel your booking at no cost up to 48 hours before the activity.
If you cancel your booking with less time, arrive late or do not show up, no refund will be made.
Related products
-
Walking tour of cinematic Gravina
€ 15,00HISTORY AND CULTUREGRA 102-
- Everyday
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Accessibility: Not suitable
- Audio guide included for Gravina ita | ing
- Difficulty: Easy
-
-
Walking Gravina and Bosco Difesa Grande
€ 68,00EXPERIENCE IN NATUREEXP 508-
- Everyday
- Duration: 3 h
- Accessibility: Not suitable
- Audio guide included for Gravina ita | ing
- Difficulty: Easy
-
-
Gravina tour and wellness pampering
€ 51,00RELAX BREAKEXP 504-
- Everyday
- Duration: 3,5 h
- Accessibility: Not suitable
- Audio guide included for Gravina ita | ing
- Difficulty: Easy
-
-
Bike tour of Gravina and forest with visit to the winery and brunch
€ 133,00ESCAPE AMONG THE VINEYARDSEXP 502-
- Everyday
- Duration: 3 h
- Accessibility: Not suitable
- Audio guide included for Gravina ita | ing
- Difficulty level: Easy
-
-
Gravina: the garden of delights
€ 19,00HISTORY AND CULTUREGRA 103-
- Everyday
- Duration: 2.5 h
- Accessibility: Not suitable
- Audio guide included for Gravina ita | ing
- Difficulty: Easy
-
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.