Explore the Historical and Archaeological Treasures of Puglia

Hello everyone, I’m Elisabetta from BeBari Apartments. I invite you to discover with me the historical sites, museums, and archaeological treasures of Puglia, a region that offers a fascinating journey through the ages. Get ready for a tour rich in history, art, and culture!

• If you want to delve deeper into religious architecture, read the article on Churches and Cathedrals in Puglia to see
• If you love castles, discover more about Castles to see in Puglia
• You can find here the must-see museums of Puglia

1. Lamalunga Cave and the Altamura Man

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Lamalunga Cave is a karst cave located near Altamura, in the province of Bari, Italy. It was discovered in 1930 and represents one of the most important prehistoric sites in the region. The cave has yielded numerous archaeological finds dating back to the Upper Paleolithic period, including stone artifacts, animal remains, and, most notably, the famous skeleton of the “Altamura Man”. The “Altamura Man” is a human skeleton dating back to about 150,000 years ago, one of the most complete and well-preserved ever found in Europe. It is a specimen of Homo neanderthalensis, and its discovery has provided valuable information on the life and habits of this extinct human species. The skeleton remained trapped inside the cave for millennia, contributing to its exceptional preservation.

2. Archaeological Sites of Egnazia

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Near Fasano, the archaeological park of Egnazia reveals the ruins of an ancient city dating from the Messapian to the Roman period. It is a place rich in history, with tombs, ancient walls, and a museum that tells the life of the ancient inhabitants of the region.

3. Archaeological Park of Canne della Battaglia

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Famous for the battle between the Romans and Carthaginians in 216 BC, this site near Barletta offers a deep dive into ancient history with its vast ruins and the museum that illustrates the historical context of the famous Battle of Cannae.

4. Necropolis of San Pietro in Bevagna

This ancient necropolis near Manduria is one of the lesser-known but incredibly significant archaeological sites in Puglia. It offers a unique look at the funeral practices of the peoples who inhabited the region before Roman domination.

5. Crypt of the Penitent Sinners, Taranto

Hidden under the historic center of Taranto, this frescoed crypt dating back to the Middle Ages offers a glimpse into the religious life and beliefs of the time. The frescoes depict scenes of the Last Judgment and biblical stories, rich in symbolism.

6. Archaeological Park of Santa Maria di Agnano, Ostuni

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Famous for the “Venus of Ostuni,” a site where the skeleton of a pregnant woman dating back 25,000 years was discovered, this archaeological park is a treasure for those interested in prehistory and anthropology.

7. Archaeological Area of Roca Vecchia

Roca Vecchia is one of the most important archaeological sites in Salento, with remains of settlements dating from the Neolithic to the medieval period. The site also includes the famous Grotta della Poesia, one of the most beautiful natural swimming pools in Italy.

8. Dolmens and Menhirs, Itria Valley

The Itria Valley is scattered with dolmens and menhirs, mysterious testimonies of prehistoric cultures. These megalithic monuments offer a tangible connection with ancient European peoples and their ritual practices.

9. Archaeological Park of the Messapian Walls of Manduria

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These imposing walls, dating back to the 5th century BC, surround the ancient city of Manduria and are among the best-preserved defensive structures of the era in Italy. Spanning over 1.3 kilometers, the Messapian walls of Manduria were primarily built to protect the city from external attacks, reflecting the social organization and engineering capability of the Messapi. Inside the park, visitors can explore not only the walls but also the remains of dwellings, necropolises, and other public buildings that testify to the daily life and ritual practices of this ancient population. Archaeological excavations have also uncovered numerous objects, including household utensils, weapons, and jewelry, that help to reconstruct the cultural, economic, and social aspects of the Messapi.

10. Necropolis of Monte Saraceno – Mattinata

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This archaeological site is particularly significant for its collection of Daunian tombs dating from the 7th to 6th century BC, making it one of the main sites for studying ancient Italic civilizations. The tumulus tombs, characteristic of the site, are constructed with large stone slabs (steles) and covered with earth to form small mounds. These funerary monuments are often surrounded by circles of stones and contain multiple burials, indicating the prolonged use of these sacred places. In addition to their physical structure, what makes the Necropolis of Monte Saraceno of great interest is the discovery of numerous funerary goods within the mounds, which include pottery, weapons, ornaments, and other everyday objects. These artifacts offer valuable insights into the customs, traditions, and religious beliefs of the Daunian populations that inhabited the Gargano in antiquity. The site offers a panoramic view of the sea and the bay below, elements that probably had both practical and symbolic significance for the ancient communities. The choice of this elevated location for burials may reflect beliefs related to the soul’s journey after death or communication between the world of the living and that of the gods or ancestors.

11. Archaeological Park of San Giovanni in Canosa di Puglia

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It is located in the northwestern area of the city and houses the ruins of an ancient necropolis dating back to the 4th century BC, belonging to the Peucetian civilization, an ancient Italic population. The archaeological park includes a vast area where numerous tombs have been found, some of which are decorated with rich funerary goods, evidence of the importance and prosperity of the Peucetian community. Among the most significant tombs are the so-called “princely tombs,” characterized by a chamber structure with pictorial decorations and sculptures, which provided an indication of the social prestige and wealth of the deceased. The Archaeological Park of San Giovanni offers visitors the opportunity to explore the ancient remains of this pre-Roman civilization and immerse themselves in the millennia-old history of Puglia.

12. Archaeological Park of Ugento

This park encompasses an extensive area that includes several archaeological sites dating from different periods, ranging from the Bronze Age to the Roman period. One of the main sites in the Archaeological Park of Ugento is the Messapian necropolis of Cozza Petrosa, characterized by trullo-shaped tombs, typical of the Messapian civilization that inhabited the area between the 7th and 3rd centuries BC. This necropolis is of particular interest for its funerary architecture and for the numerous finds unearthed during excavations, including ceramics, metal objects, and jewelry. In addition to the necropolis, the park also hosts the remains of an ancient Roman city, known as Uxentum, which was an important urban center during the Roman era. Here you can admire the ruins of public and private buildings, including baths, a basilica, and homes, which testify to the importance and prosperity of the city in that period.

12. Casalrotto Rock Village in Mottola

The Casalrotto rock village in Mottola is an ancient residential area carved into the limestone rock, located in the province of Taranto. This settlement, dating back to the medieval period, represents a significant example of rock architecture present in the region. The Casalrotto rock village consists of a series of dwellings, churches, and support structures, all carved directly into the rock. These buildings are arranged organically along the slopes of the surrounding hills, creating a picturesque urban landscape that harmoniously blends with the natural environment. The rock dwellings of Casalrotto are characterized by rooms carved into the rock, with vaulted ceilings and walls decorated with frescoes and medieval decorations. The churches in the settlement also display frescoes and religious decorations, testifying to the presence and importance of faith within the medieval community.

13. Archaeological Area of the Dolmen La Chianca in Bisceglie

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The dolmen, dating back to the Neolithic, is a megalithic structure composed of large stone blocks arranged vertically and topped horizontally, forming a sort of burial chamber. The Dolmen La Chianca is considered one of the most important examples of megalithic funerary architecture in southern Italy. Its construction is attributed to the Neolithic populations that inhabited the area between the 4th and 3rd millennium BC. Its original function was probably that of collective burial, used to inter the deceased along with their funerary goods. The archaeological area surrounding the Dolmen La Chianca also includes other sites of interest, such as pit tombs and traces of prehistoric settlements. These finds provide valuable information on the life and ritual practices of ancient communities that inhabited this region during the Neolithic.

Ready to discover these gems?

Whether you are art lovers, history enthusiasts, or simply curious to discover the cultural riches, Puglia has much to offer. Each site and museum tells a unique story, intertwining the past with the present in ways that only Italy can do. I hope this virtual tour has inspired you to plan a real visit very soon. We look forward to welcoming you at BeBari Apartments, your home in Bari to explore Puglia. See you soon.