Cassano delle Murge, or Cassano Murge, is a small town in the province of Bari, located in the highest part of Puglia, on the Murge plateau. It is particularly well known for its proximity to the Mercadante Forest, a wonderful equipped pine forest established in 1928.
The origins of Cassano are very ancient, dating back as far as prehistoric times. In fact, several sites of significant archaeological importance have been discovered over the years in the caves surrounding the town, including a menhir dating back to 2500–2000 BC.
In ancient times, Cassano Murge was a thriving centre and the scene of numerous conflicts, including the Gothic War fought between the Goths and the Eastern Roman Empire.
What to see in Cassano Murge
We have put together a list of the must-see places in Cassano Murge so you can enjoy the beauty of this fascinating village nestled in the Murge of Puglia at your own pace. Why not dedicate a day to discovering its highlights?
- Sanctuary of Santa Maria degli Angeli;
- Church of Santa Maria Assunta;
- Palazzo Marchesale Miani Perotti;
- Casa Torre.
And now, let’s set off together to discover the best-known places in Cassano Murge!
Sanctuary of Santa Maria degli Angeli
The Sanctuary-Convent of Santa Maria degli Angeli is located just a few minutes’ walk outside the town walls and is now a small convent among the caves run by the Augustinian Fathers. Its origins are linked to a particularly fascinating story, as it is said that several apparitions of the Madonna took place in this very area. A few years later, a sacred image was discovered, painted as a fresco on one of the cave walls, and a remarkably atmospheric convent was built here, filled with wonderful works of art.
The Convent is open to everyone and admission is free, so it is definitely worth a visit!
Church of Santa Maria Assunta
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta is a relatively new church, having been built in 1858. However, the building stands on the remains of a Romanesque church dating back to the 14th century, of which it still preserves the original bell tower.
The church has three naves and appears simple on the outside, but inside it houses numerous works of art of inestimable value. In the central nave, you can admire a painting by the artist Michele Montrone depicting the Assumption of the Madonna, as well as valuable works by Umberto Colonna throughout the church.
Palazzo Marchesale Miani Perotti
Palazzo Marchesale is a Baroque building in the centre of Cassano Murge. Easily reached on foot from anywhere in the town, it represents the symbol of local culture. Inside the palace, you can visit an art gallery and the municipal library, while some of its rooms regularly host musical events and conferences of various kinds.
Casa Torre
House-towers are among the symbols of Cassano. These towers were built following the architectural style of medieval towers, but were used as homes. Unfortunately, they never became particularly widespread, and today only one can be visited. Dating back to the 12th century, it can be reached on foot via San Giovanni.
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What to do in Cassano Murge - the Slow Active Tours proposal
Once you have discovered the hidden wonders tucked away among the narrow streets of Cassano Murge, it is time to immerse yourself in the sounds and aromas of this ancient village. That is why we have put together a list of the things to do in Cassano Murge to make your stay here even more enjoyable!
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Mercadante Forest
Just 7 kilometres outside Cassano Murge, you can find the wonderful Mercadante Forest, a beautifully maintained green area where visitors can relax, enjoy a picnic or go for walks in nature.
Did you know that this forest hides a little secret? It is, in fact, an artificial forest! In the 19th century, following the extensive deforestation taking place in the Murge area, the land began to suffer from frequent flooding and progressive soil erosion. For this reason, numerous conifer trees were planted artificially to create a new green lung on the Murge plateau. -
Walking through the village of Cassano
One of the unmissable things to do in Cassano Murge is to explore the small town on foot, letting yourself be carried along its characteristic streets and alleyways before getting lost and stopping to savour the delicacies this place has to offer. You won’t regret it!
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Cammino Materano
If you are passionate about trekking and walking routes, you simply cannot miss the Cammino Materano. This wonderful walking route connects the cities of Matera and Bari, and guess what? It passes right through Cassano delle Murge! So you have no more excuses: pack your backpack and set off!
Festivals and Popular Events in Cassano Murge
If you are in Cassano Murge during the summer, you simply cannot miss the Estate Cassanese. This is a series of cultural and food festivals that culminate in the Focaccia Festival on 11 August. During this event, all the town’s bakeries and master bakers gather in the streets and serve a delicious variety of focaccia.
Between the first days of August and the beginning of September, the event La grande Festa di Pierino takes place, offering a unique opportunity to sample a wide variety of beers accompanied by meat and local specialities. The perfect festival for spending time together and having fun!
In November, on the other hand, you should not miss the Sagra Pane e Olio in Fabbrica, an event with strong cultural significance that provides an opportunity to celebrate and promote traditional products from the Murge.
Typical Dishes of Cassano Murge
This area is rich in culinary specialities. You can find everything from typical regional products, such as orecchiette, to produce from the land, including olives, grapes and almonds.
There are, however, some products that have made Cassano famous throughout the region! Among these are undoubtedly the Ceci lisci di Cassano. This is a unique legume, very dark in colour, with a rounded shape and smooth, thin skin, which grows only in this area, characterised by mainly rocky, water-poor soil. Today it is a Slow Food Presidia.
Although it is a chickpea, it has little in common with common chickpeas. In addition to its distinctive colour, the black chickpea is particularly recognisable for its shape, similar to a grain of corn with a hooked tip. What makes it so different from other varieties, however, is certainly its unique flavour, slightly herbaceous and very savoury. It also has important beneficial properties due to its high fibre and iron content. For this reason, in ancient times, it was strongly recommended as part of the diet of pregnant women.
Despite its many qualities, however, the black chickpea market has never been particularly successful. This is probably due to the very long soaking and cooking times it requires: after soaking for 48 hours, it needs to cook for at least 2 hours!
Eating and Drinking in Cassano Murge
Among the many restaurants in the centre of Cassano Murge, we recommend a few that are worth visiting:
Locanda degli Angeli, at Via Cesare Battisti 22. In an intimate setting, the warm welcome from the owners will make you feel right at home! At Locanda degli Angeli, you can sample traditional dishes with a creative twist, made delicious through the skilful use of quality ingredients.
Osteria Delle Palme da Mimmo Stefy, at Via Crocifisso, 8. If you are in the centre of Cassano Murge and fancy some good fish, this is the place for you. Here you can enjoy raw and cooked fish specialities, as well as excellent appetisers and delicious desserts. You won’t regret it!
Arte Gelata at Via Unità d'Italia, 14. At Arte Gelata, you can enjoy delicious authentic artisan gelato right in the heart of Cassano. At this small café, you can choose from classic flavours to more creative combinations, with the gelato makers always on hand to help you find the perfect flavour for you.
So what are you waiting for? Pack your backpack and set off!
