The Via Ellenica in the Land of the Ravines

Matera

Welcome to Matera, one of the most fascinating cities in the world, a land of a thousand nuances, each of which will make you fall in love. In Matera the streets hide priceless treasures such as the cave-houses that take shape from the soft rock. The historic centre houses the Cathedral of the Madonna della Bruna, with its architecture enhanced by the Romanesque style. 

From Ginosa to Laterza

16 km

From the ancestral ravine of Ginosa you will slowly move into the lands of transhumance. It is a wild landscape, dominated by nature, in which man has been able to blend harmoniously. From here, in the footsteps of the ancient shepherds, you will continue up to the slopes of the Murgia San Pellegrino pine forest to then end the daily stop in Laterza. The ancient town of Laterza stands in the shadow of the second largest ravine in Europe whose environmental and landscape richness is protected by the LIPU oasis. Among the narrow streets of the historic centre, a stop is certainly recommended to visit the characteristic Mother Church of San Lorenzo, with its graceful horse-wheel rose window in the centre of the facade. From here you will descend along the ravine to reach the Sanctuary of Mater Domini which preserves an underground environment with precious 12th century frescoes. Shrouded in mystery is the suggestive rock church "Cantina Spagnola" whose use is still a source of debate among historians. Particularly relevant within the territory is the artisanal production of the characteristic Maiolica di Laterza, protected by the CAT - Traditional Artistic Ceramics brand. In fact, some examples are preserved within the city's Art Institute, while the majority is obviously exhibited and enhanced in the rooms of the Maiolica Museum.  

From Castellaneta to Mottola

18 km

The two cities are located close to imposing ravines from which they stand out over today's route. Today you will pass by incredible expanses of olive groves and cultivated fields in the large and evocative “Terre delle Gravine” Regional Natural Park.
The area of ​​Palagianello is characterised by a characteristic rock village that deserves to be visited by crossing the panoramic stairways and the incredible paths. Certainly not to be missed is the precious rock church of San Girolamo with its characteristic trapezoidal plan, with its incredible frescoes including a valuable depiction of a Madonna with Child. The true symbol of Palagianello, however, is the Caracciolo Stella Castle with its massive quadrangular plan, the characteristic four corner towers and the central courtyard: all elements that make it a sixteenth-century fortress. In the internal rooms of the ground floor the castle now houses the municipal tourist offices while on the upper floor it is possible to admire parts of the original flooring characterised by valuable majolica tiles from nearby Laterza.
 After passing the small village of Palagianello you will cross an area full of prehistoric settlements such as the ancient rock church of San Nicola, a magnificent example of popular sacred art, and the church of Sant'Angelo, the only example of a sacred structure on two floors. An ancient path that takes shape starting from the spectacular village of Casalotto with its fascinating excavated caves, marks the entrance to the town of Mottola. From the hill from which the ancient town stands you can enjoy a wonderful view that goes from the Gulf of Taranto to the Sila Plateau, spanning the entire Ionian coast between Puglia and Calabria with the beautiful Church of San Gregorio which preserves some frescoes among the most visited in Puglia, marking the end of this intense day.

From Massafra to Crispiano

18 km

The suggestive passage from an ancient farmhouse from the 1400s surrounded by the flavours and smells of a rich vineyard, marks the passage towards the Terre delle Gravine. In fact, right here, in one of the most important naturalistic areas in Europe, you will cross fascinating paths that connect picturesque rock settlements hidden among the dense vegetation.
You will arrive in Crispiano along the imposing karst wall that overlooks the Gulf of Taranto and which acts as a natural protection for the small inhabited centres perched in the hinterland. The karst valley of the Vallone represents the ideal destination for a walk immersed in the history of this incredible territory which still retains that natural soul that distinguishes it, among incredible caves set in the rock, farms, some of which are of notable historical and architectural interest, and community churches, you will feel like you are walking back in time. 

Goodbye Martina Franca!

After breakfast, end of services.
Give yourself some time to admire the timeless charm of the ancient town of Martina Franca with its labyrinth of narrow streets and ancient alleys which still host the exhibition spaces and laboratories of the ancient artisan workshops.
But it is its historic centre with buildings, monuments and churches decorated with a particular baroque style that cannot be found in any other city, which not surprisingly later became "Martinese baroque" which welcomes every traveller with a warm welcome to the Valle D'Itria.