Altamura, Matera’s lively Puglia neighbour is just 20 kilometres away across the border.
Matera's more down-to-earth neighbour
Just 20 kilometres from Matera, across the border in Puglia, Altamura is an excellent addition to any journey through southern Italy. While Matera is internationally celebrated for its extraordinary Sassi cave dwellings, Altamura offers something rather different: a genuine, lived-in town where history, food and everyday life are still closely intertwined, a town less crowded and, in many ways, more immediately Italian. You could say that Altamura is best thought of not as a substitute for Matera, but as its more down-to-earth neighbour.
Ancient walls and a 13th century cathedral
Known as the “City of Bread”, Altamura sits on the high limestone plateau of the Alta Murgia. Its historic centre is a maze of narrow streets, elegant palazzi, small churches and the characteristic "claustri" courtyards in the local houses. These courtyards were once small communal neighbourhoods and remain one of the most distinctive features of the town. At the heart of the old town stands the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, an imposing Romanesque-Gothic masterpiece commissioned by the Emperor Frederick II in the 13th century. Its richly decorated portal and impressive rose window are particularly beautiful. Around the cathedral, the historic centre is a succession of little streets and squares with traces of Altamura's much older past; in fact sections of the ancient Megalithic Walls can still be seen.
Altamura's famous bread
Altamura's greatest attraction may well be something you can eat. "Pane di Altamura DOP" is one of Italy's most celebrated breads, made from locally grown durum wheat and traditionally baked in wood-fired ovens and was the first European baked product to receive PDO status. It has a thick, dark, exceptionally crisp crust and a fragrant yellow crumb, and its origins are deeply connected to the agricultural traditions of the Alta Murgia. Don't leave without visiting a traditional bakery and buying a loaf, preferably still warm. Bread is also the basis of some of the simplest local dishes, including "bruschette and pane cotto." The town's food culture also includes focaccia, handmade pasta, local cheeses and cured meats. Other local dishes feature seasonal vegetables, mushrooms and wild herbs, as well as lamb and other traditional meat dishes. This is a town where the history is remarkable, but where everyday life remains the real attraction.
From skeletons to caves and walking trails
Altamura also has an extraordinary prehistoric story. In 1993, the almost complete skeleton now known as the Man of Altamura was discovered in the Lamalunga cave just outside the town. The discovery is one of the most remarkable prehistoric finds in Italy. Today, the Altamura Man Museum Network brings together Palazzo Baldassarre, the Lamalunga Visitor Centre and the National Archaeological Museum, allowing visitors to understand both the fossil and the prehistoric landscape in which it was found. For nature and archaeology, the nearby Pulo di Altamura is another worthwhile excursion: a vast karst depression surrounded by limestone countryside, caves and walking trails. Altamura is particularly convenient. Bari, the nearest major city, is about 45 kilometres away, while Matera is only around 20 kilometres, and Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport is the most practical international gateway.
Close to important UNESCO sites
Altamura itself is not a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, its location makes it an excellent companion to several UNESCO-listed destinations. Most importantly, Matera's Sassi and Rupestrian Churches are only a short drive away. The spectacular Castel del Monte, another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Puglia, can also be incorporated into a wider itinerary.
