The Murge Mountains represent the most characteristic complex of reliefs in central Apulia. Their highest geographical point is Mount Caccia, located 684 meters above sea level. The toponym Murex, from which the name Murge derives, seems to be a divine gift because of its fitting meaning indicating a sharp stone. Considering the presence of all that limestone rock that has given rise to dolines, ravines, blades, swallow holes and caves, there could not have been a more appropriate name for this place characterized, among other things, by the total absence of surface watercourses.
In short, a territory with a strong identity and archaic flavor, a land of history and culture. If you are wondering what to see in the Murge, discover with us its beauties among small villages and wild nature.

Altamura
Famous for its delicious PDO bread and PGI lentil, Altamura is a little gem to discover. Among the things not to miss about this quaint village is certainly the Cathedral or Mother Church of Altamura a wonderful example of Apulian Romanesque. Its construction should be traced back to the years between 1232 3 1243. Dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption, it represents one of the most beautiful medieval cathedrals in Apulia and the whole of southern Italy.
A short distance away is the Diocesan Museum, which also preserves authentic medieval women's galleries from the Frederician period.
And again the famous Altamura ovens: at one time practically every church in the old town had its own oven where the housewives of the neighborhood went every day to bake their bread. In recent years, after painstaking restoration, these ovens are finally coming back to light. Among the many we point out: the Forno di Santa Chiara. Built in 1423, it belonged to the monastery of the same name. You have never stopped working and today it can be visited and inside you can taste the products of the Altamura tradition.
The Duomo Oven was recovered and opened to the public in mid-2019. It dates back to the 13th century and is the oldest oven in altamura. Inside it is now home to the Bread Museum.
Gravina
A truly unique glimpse. If you arrive in Gravina, it's nice to start discovering it from its canyon: the Gravina, precisely. The ravines were formed by the work of water, which over the millennia has carved out the land to create large inlets.
The beautiful castle of Gravina di Puglia dates back to 1223 and stands on a hill above the town, but it can only be visited from the outside.
One of the most unique attractions in Gravina di Puglia is the rock church of San Michele delle Grotte. Built by excavating the rock with naves, arches and a tuff altar carved into the rock. Here are preserved the skulls of hundreds of people who, according to legend, died during the Saracen attack in the year 1000.
The old town and the more modern part of the city are connected by a very special bridge . It is an arched structure suspended over the rushing Gravina stream. The ideal place to admire the breathtaking landscape of the Alta Murgia National Park.

Castel del Monte
One of the undisputed symbols of Apulia, overlooking the Murge plateau. Castel del Monte is one of the masterpieces commissioned by Frederick II around 1240, a UNESCO site added to the World Heritage List in 1996. A brilliant example of medieval architecture that combines different stylistic elements: from Romanesque, Gothic and classical to the refined Islamic style of its mosaics.
Among the features of Castel del Monte that fuel the aura of mystery it reminds us of is the courtyard, also octagonal in shape, and surrounded by a series of walls containing blind arcades. The contrasts that the tall light walls create with the color of the sky are ideal for observing the vault of heaven at night, so as to indulge one of Frederick II's greatest passions.
What to see of the Alta Murgia Park
The Alta Murgia National Park is, in fact, the first rural park in Italy, as in addition to the protection of the natural ecosystem, it is concerned with the preservation and enhancement of the entire territorial unit.
Among the wonders of the park are the striking colors of the bauxite mines and a multitude (about 30,000) of dinosaur footprints belonging to at least five different species. Thevegetation of the park is typical Mediterranean scrub with undergrowth rich in plants such as myrtle, hawthorn caper, rosemary and oregano. The fauna is typical of steppe environments: the Murgia is home to several species of diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey as well as various mammals such as fox, weasel.
It is a wonderful idea to discover the park by trekking, choosing from one of the many nature trails available. Among the most beautiful destinations are the Mercadante Forest, the Lagoppeto communal pine forest in Grumo Appula and the Mesola forest in Cassano.
Among the must-see spots is undoubtedly the Lamalunga cave, where the Altamura man lived. Not to be forgotten, in the end, the Jazzi the rock constructions testify to the life of shepherds during transhumance periods.
In short, a multitude of unusual places not to be missed. To best devote yourself to the discovery of the area you will find it useful to find your accommodation among the vacation homes in the Murge. If, on the other hand, you want to combine the uniqueness of the area with its proximity to the sea, look for your place to stay among the vacation homes in the land of Bari.