Gravina di Puglia is a small town in the province of Bari, best known for being home to the main site of the Alta Murgia National Park.
The ancient settlement of Gravina di Puglia has a remarkable history: thanks to the presence of an underground river, different populations have lived here since the Paleolithic era.
Over the centuries, the area has experienced numerous dominations: first the Greeks, then the Romans, followed by the Visigoths and Vandals. However, the most influential families in the town were certainly the Angevins and the Orsini, who ruled the town for as many as 500 years, until the unification of Italy.
What to see in Gravina di Puglia
We have prepared a list of the things not to miss in Gravina di Puglia so you can enjoy the beauty of this fascinating village nestled in the Apulian Murgia at your own pace. Why not spend a day discovering the beauty of Gravina?
- Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta
- Rock Church of San Michele delle Grotte
- Madonna della Stella Viaduct Bridge - Aqueduct
And now, let’s discover together some of the most incredible places in Gravina di Puglia!
Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta
The Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta is the main church of the town and can easily be reached while exploring Gravina on foot. What makes it distinctive is its fascinating mix of different architectural styles, closely linked to the history of the church, which was built in 1092 in the Romanesque style and, following a major fire, rebuilt in 1508 with a more Renaissance style, followed by numerous Baroque restoration works between the 17th and 18th centuries.
On the outside, the church is divided into three naves and features a magnificent Romanesque rose window that survived from the original building. Inside, the church consists of three naves leading to the side chapels and is decorated with a beautiful gilded, carved wooden ceiling.
Rock Church of San Michele delle Grotte
If, while walking through the streets of Gravina, you reach the ancient Fondovico district, you will be enchanted by the rock church of San Michele delle Grotte. It is a church carved into a single block of tuff between the 8th and 10th centuries. This is a particularly fascinating place, as you can still see remains of skulls and bones which, according to legend, belonged to the martyrs of the massacre of the people of Gravina carried out by the Saracens in 999.
It is precisely here that, on 8 May, the Feast of San Michele delle Grotte is celebrated, commemorating the saint’s apparition in one of these caves.
Madonna della Stella Viaduct Bridge - Aqueduct
Less than one kilometre from the centre of Gravina, you can reach the Madonna della Stella viaduct – aqueduct bridge on foot. This bridge once allowed people to cross the “Gravina” stream and consists of an arched structure measuring 90 m long, 5.5 m wide and 37 metres high. It is believed to have originally been built around 1600 and was later destroyed by the earthquake of 1722. It was eventually rebuilt and converted into an aqueduct around 1750.
What to do in Gravina di Puglia - the Slow Active Tours proposal
Once you have discovered the hidden wonders among the narrow streets of Gravina di Puglia, it is time to immerse yourself in the sounds and aromas of this ancient village. For this reason, we have prepared a list of the things to do in Gravina di Puglia that you absolutely should not miss!
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Underground Gravina
One of the most fascinating activities you can enjoy in Gravina di Puglia is a visit to Underground Gravina. It is a network of underground tunnels and cavities that allows you to walk through ancient Gravina, discovering old granaries, cellars, wells and aqueducts.
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Cola Cola Workshop
In Piazza Benedetto XIII, just a few minutes’ walk from the centre of Gravina, you will find the ancient workshop and Cola Cola museum, one of the symbols of the town. Cola Cola are terracotta whistles made in countless different shapes. The workshop is actually a house museum that preserves the traditions of Gravina passed down from generation to generation, including the many varieties of this whistle, a symbol of the town.
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Bosco Difesa Grande
If you are a nature lover, you should not miss Bosco Difesa Grande, a wonderful protected natural area located 6 km from Gravina di Puglia. It is an ideal place for the conservation of local flora, including oak trees, shrubs and hawthorn, as well as wildlife, mainly reptiles and birds.
The woodland is perfect for a walk surrounded by greenery, activities such as running or trekking, or simply relaxing and enjoying a picnic surrounded by the area’s natural beauty. -
Cammino Materano
For all those who love walking routes and trekking, an experience not to be missed is the Cammino Materano: one of the most beautiful walking routes in southern Italy, connecting the cities of Matera and Bari through a journey dedicated to discovering nature. The Cammino passes right through Gravina di Puglia, so you have no excuses – backpack on and let’s go!
Are you reading this article and already looking forward to visiting Gravina di Puglia?
Discover our travel proposals and set off on your next adventure!
Trekking from Matera to Lecce
group trip in the Heel of Italy
Cammino Materano on foot
from Bari to Matera
Complete Cammino Materano from Bari to Matera
9 days from Bari to Matera
Festivals and Popular Events in Gravina di Puglia
One of the most important religious celebrations in Gravina di Puglia is the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, held in the last days of September. On this occasion, celebrating the end of summer, the town comes alive with fireworks, concerts and conferences, preceded by the solemn procession through the streets.
If, on the other hand, you find yourself in Gravina di Puglia at the end of November, you should not miss the Cardoncello Mushroom and New Wine Festival. On this occasion, the town fills with stalls offering the best of the local food and wine tradition, accompanied by concerts and folk events.
Typical dishes of Gravina di Puglia
The typical dishes of Gravina di Puglia are part of the Apulian culinary tradition, which is why olive oil and olives grown in this area are of vital importance. Dairy products made with milk from local pastures are also widely consumed, as are vegetables grown here, such as tomatoes and peppers.
What makes Gravina di Puglia particularly famous, however, is Verdeca di Gravina: a sparkling wine characterised by greenish hues, hence the name "verdeca". What makes Verdeca di Gravina so distinctive, besides its unique colour, is its fresh and creamy taste, which leaves a pleasant aroma on the palate. Verdeca di Gravina also has many little secrets. One of them is connected to its history. The wine was once made sparkling almost unintentionally, as it was placed in barrels made from local wood and stored at the same temperatures as the other local wines. This meant that it was kept in cellars carved into the tuff, which gave the wine a slightly sweet flavour. What is truly unique, however, is that the wine was allowed to undergo a second fermentation thanks to a combination of three grape varieties: Greco, Malvasia and Bianco di Alessano, all varieties from the Gravina area that helped make this wine a product that could only be produced in certain areas of Italy. Today, the wine is marketed around the world and can also come from other areas of Puglia, such as the Valle d’Itria or the Bari area, but it is strictly made from the combination of these three grape varieties.
If you find yourself in this area, you absolutely must try a glass of this exquisite wine, savour all its nuances and let yourself be carried away by its aroma!
Eating and Drinking in Gravina di Puglia
Among the many restaurants in the centre of Gravina di Puglia, here are a few that we recommend visiting:
Ristorante Evo in Viale Orsini 15.
