Two pearls to discover: Altamura and Gravina

Don’t be told about it, live it!

The tour will begin atAltamurawith a visit to the majesticCathedral, in which is situated theDiocesan Museum Matroneirich in precious paintings, melodic texts, parchments, marble sculptures and among the most famous works, you will find the processional cross of Franciscan origin. This will be followed by a transfer to Gravina with a visit to the church ofSanta Maria degli Angelia typical example of rupestrian architecture of the 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. This is also the only rock church to have preserved in the nave the altar used during liturgical functions for the distribution of the Eucharist, called “ara”.

From here, you will walk along theAqueduct Bridge,situated on the ravine of the torrent, joining the new town to the old one, several times protagonist of important film sets, as in 2020 for the 007 movie “No Time to Die “., “Tolo Tolo” by Checco Zalone, “Pinocchio” by Garrone, “The Last Paradise” by Scamarcio, “Captain Maria”, “Maria Magdalena” and others.

Connected to the Ponte Acquedotto, thanks to the last remaining tower of the sixteenth-century walls, there is the so called“Medieval Bastionwhich represented not only a means of defense, but also a meeting place for many Gravinesi given the possibility of getting water and maybe exchange a few words. You have to know, in fact, that the ramparts were defensive elements built around the 15th century and had the purpose of protecting the “cortine”, i.e. the stretches of straight walls most 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.

Continue the tour with a visit to theCrypt of San Vito Vecchiowhich, 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, who with his right hand blesses and with his left hand holds a “Book” open on a passage from the Gospel of St. John.

The last stop as far as Gravina is concerned, is a visit to the present cathedral of the town,the Co-cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Built just behind the ravine on which the city overlooks, a true masterpiece belonging to the Norman era, Gravina’s main place of worship and, full of 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.