10 Must-Do Things in Ruvo di Puglia

Famous throughout the world for the Jatta Museum, an extraordinary place that enchants the soul with its precious collection.

Almost two centuries ago, Ruvo di Puglia, a small agricultural town in the north of Bari, left its mark on history, emerging from anonymity thanks to a chance archaeological discovery. The news of the discovery of grave goods, rich in treasures such as goldsmith's work, bronzes and above all " Etruscan vases" of exceptional artistic value, unleashed an unprecedented treasure hunt at the time. This fervor transformed Ruvo di Puglia into an open-air construction site, where everyone tried to sift through the necropolis, launching into a real race for archaeological loot to grab at least one piece.

Photo by Giuseppe Caldarola

Alongside the great names of archaeologists of the time, shady individuals appeared who wanted to make lucrative deals. Initially, it was not known where to place the finds, so many of them were placed in the antiquarian trade of Naples.

Others found their home in the prestigious Real Museo Borbonico . Many works were unfortunately dispersed to the most renowned museums in Europe and America, such as the British Museum, the Louvre, the Hermitage, the Antikensammlung in Munich and the Metropolitan Museum.

The heart of this extraordinary adventure today is the Jatta Museum , an enchanting place that captures the imagination with its precious collection. Today, famous throughout the world for its extraordinary archaeological wealth , Ruvo di Puglia is ready to welcome visitors in the heart of the Alta Murgia Park.

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In my column "A misura di Manu" I propose ideas, experiences and itineraries, but also things to do if you come to these parts whether you are a foreign visitor or a tourist at home. In the article (next to each individual experience) are indicated all the references to book tickets or excursions or guided tours in the area.

Strategically positioned along the Via Traiana , an ancient Roman road that connected Brindisi to Bari, Ruvo di Puglia has always played a key role in the succession of historical events. We are 265m above sea level and just under ten kilometers from the coast and the seaside villages of Bisceglie and Molfetta . For those who want to reach it by public transport, Ruvo is well connected to the Ferrovie del Nord Barese . From here, numerous excursions or day trips depart, which can be booked by contacting the Pro loco association of Ruvo di Puglia or the local Tourist information point

BY PLANE

• The Ferrovie del Nord Barese directly from the airport station takes you to Bitonto, Ruvo di Puglia, Corato and Andria.

BY CAR

• If you choose to rent a car at the airport, set the city you are interested in on your navigator, which you will reach via the SS96 and the subsequent provincial road 231.

• If you arrive from the A14 Adriatic motorway , you can take various exits: the main ones are Andria-Barletta, Trani, Molfetta, but you can also exit at Canosa, and from the south Bitonto, Bari-Nord, Bari-Sud, Gioia del Colle.

After the exit you will find signs for the various cities of Murgia .

What to do in Ruvo di Puglia and the Jatta Museum, famous throughout the world for its precious collection?

Photo by Giuseppe Caldarola

Photo by Giuseppe Caldarola

Ruvo di Puglia is known throughout the world for the richness of its archaeological heritage. In the nineteenth century, it was said that any archaeological collection could not be considered complete if it did not include at least one vase from Ruvo .

And so the rich archaeological heritage discovered in its necropolises is now scattered throughout the world's major museums. But here in the city you have the unique opportunity to admire a private archaeological collection - now a national museum - which contains vase finds from the 8th-3rd century BC of exceptional quality, still displayed in the rooms of Palazzo Jatta that were dedicated to it and in its 19th-century layout. Over 2,000 ceramic finds: among amphorae, glasses and other finds, the numerous "craters" of Apulian and Attic workmanship and the absolute masterpiece represented by the Talos Vase are on display. It is the opportunity to come into contact with Talos, the Cretan giant who has become almost a symbol of the city of Ruvo itself.

For information and reservations Tel +39 080.2440003 email: drm-pug.museoruvo@cultura.gov.it

Or Tourist information point of Ruvo

REGIONAL MUSEUMS DIRECTION PUGLIA. BUY TICKETS HERE

Also known for its incredibly beautiful Romanesque Cathedral built between the 12th and 13th centuries, Ruvo Cathedral is one of the most representative examples of Romanesque religious architecture in Puglia. It competes for excellence with the great basilicas of Bari, Bitonto or Trani and is often seen published in art history books.

It is worth visiting to admire up close the many figures that populate the richly decorated portal, grotesque figures, the lions and griffins that populate the façade and the internal capitals or the decorations of the large rose window at the top. If you are lucky enough to visit the monument on the day of the summer solstice, at sunset you can witness the spectacle of the projection of the sun's rays that, right through the large rose window on the façade, are projected to illuminate the center of the glass and alabaster Cross located in the middle of the apse . It is a spectacle for the eyes but also satisfied is the hearing if you have the patience to attend the concomitant band concert that is organized on the occasion of the Music Festival. But the perception of its beauty remains satisfied at any time of the year!

Enter the Cathedral and ask to visit the basement. (Cost 2 euros) The city has ancient origins, dating back to prehistoric times, but it is the wealth of its archaeological finds, the hypogeum of the Cathedral and the cave of San Cleto (a Roman-era cistern with an adjoining thermal complex ) that tell us excellent stories of its thousand-year history. These are two connected structures, both dating back to the 1st century AD; their visit is an encounter with the remote past of the city and its traditions that hand down the spread of the Christian cult. It was St. Peter , returning to Rome from one of his trips to the Holy Land, who met San Cleto, the first bishop of Ruvo who later became the third Pope. Between history and legend, it is a beautiful visit underground to discover the surviving traces of ancient settlements. .

Reservations are preferred, with an offer.

Book at the numbers 080. 3628428; 3791281774 also via WhatsApp or send to prolocoruvodipuglia@libero.it website Pro Loco Ruvo

Photo by Giuseppe Caldarola

Just climb the Clock Tower or the bell towers of the Cathedral of the Church of Carmine to broaden the visual experience and understand the close relationship between the stone city and its countryside : the coast, from the Gargano promontory to the city of Bari; the hinterland, from the neighboring municipalities of Corato and Terlizzi to the Murgia plateau dominated by Castel del Monte. A bit of effort in climbing the various steps, but it's absolutely worth it!

The tour of the bell towers can be accompanied by a walk in the old centre of Ruvo , accompanied by expert guides such as Giuseppe Caldarola , Mario di Puppo, Kate Gramegna, Vittoria Caifasso which will allow you to discover the alleys, the churches, the Renaissance buildings according to thematic itineraries .

Book at the numbers 0803628428; 3791281774 also via WhatsApp or send to prolocoruvodipuglia@libero.it website Pro Loco Ruvo

The Cardoncello Mushroom Festival is a regular event, now traditional, that enlivens the historic center of the city on the second Sunday of November.

The event is organized by the Pro Loco UNPLI Aps Tourist Association and boasts significant partnerships with sector bodies and associations .

The Cardoncello Mushroom festival revolves around the mushroom of the same name, typical of the Murgia plateau, is itinerant and also involves other municipalities of the Alta Murgia Park (Minervino Murge, Gravina in Puglia, Spinazzola, Poggiorsini, etc ...).

Book at the numbers 0803628428; 3791281774 also via WhatsApp or send to prolocoruvodipuglia@libero.it Pro Loco Ruvo website

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Ruvo is one of the most iconic places of Holy Week in Puglia.

If you have never seen them, you cannot miss the traditional practices of popular piety that still find expression here in the processional parades on Passion Friday and Holy Thursday, Friday and Saturday .

They are the processions of Maria SS. Desolata, of the “Eight Saints” , of the Holy Mysteries and of the “Pietà”. They begin at 2.30 in the morning, from the Church of San Rocco. From here the night procession of the “ Eight Saints” starts, eight figures, in Lecce papier-mâché (one of the largest ever!) which represent the Transport of Christ to the Sepulchre : it is carried on the shoulders through the streets of the city by the bearers of the Confraternity of San Rocco ,

Until the end of the Holy Week Rites, on Easter morning the Procession of the Risen Christ moves from the Church of San Domenico , organized by the Confraternity of the Sorrowful Purification and followed by joyful children waving flags. During the route, as a propitiatory sign, the Quarandone is exploded , a puppet with the appearance of an old lady dressed in black. Not to be missed on Easter Sunday

A great culinary innovation of the last decade in a magical place the restaurant Mezza Pagnotta has also become famous in the south-east of Bari, arousing my curiosity.

Good food and a great passion for the territory that animates the brothers Francesco (in the dining room) and Vincenzo (in the kitchen) Montaruli who have created an ethno-botanical cuisine. Here you can have a real gastronomic experience , where you will have to forget the conventional courses. No pasta, fish and meat. They offer roasted fiorone, fried rocket and almond, prickly cardoon in a caciocavallo crust with sponsali and much more. But these are just some of the dishes on the menu composed of wild vegetables

Web photo

of the Murgia Ruvese that are based on the choice of selected and seasonal ingredients as well as herbs collected in the heart of the Alta Murgia. Poor foods of the past reinterpreted in a creative gourmet key.

It is about 3km from the centre of Ruvo, the highlight of which is the historic residence of Villa Fenicia where the restaurant is located.

Reservations required +393479996475 Villa Fenicia, SP 86 Ruvo-Bisceglie Km 2 mezzapagnotta13@gmail.com

You can't leave Ruvo without tasting Lo Scettro del Re.

An ice cream that tastes of history. From the central square, you just have to walk to the small Mokambo ice cream shop , a shop-workshop that still tells the story of a family whose tradition comes from far away, to the date of 1840 and to Naples, the capital of the then Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. It is an ancient story that begins with Luigi Marseglia, pastry chef of the famous Gambrinus café in Naples , who in those magical places learned the white art of artisanal ice cream and the recipes of desserts that at that time were in vogue in the most important courts of Europe.

And that story has come to us through his descendants: Franco, Giuliana and Vincenzo Paparella , who accompany customers in tasting some ice cream flavors, they have 6 on the counter, that taste of craftsmanship. Freshly milked milk from the pastures of Alta Murgia, fresh eggs from free-range hens and very fine sugar, a bouquet of spices and aromas for a product with traditional processes and top quality ingredients!

Read the special THE KING'S SCEPTER

In the countryside of Ruvo, there are large farms. Among the olive groves, vineyards and almond groves there is also the Masseria Coppa . An Educational Farm that carries out activities to disseminate the agro-pastoral life of the Alta Murgia . Here families with children can try their hand at various Educational Activities. You can participate in one of the workshops "From the wheat field to the grain...to the flour...to baked goods" , " From manual milking to mechanical milking...to cheese...to mozzarella ", " From the field...to the table. Let's adopt a vegetable garden plant" and visit the structures of the farm. Ideal to stop for lunch

Half-day activity (9:15/12:30 - Cost €10.00). AGRITURISMO COPPA SP238 Trani-Gravina km.2670037-Ruvo di Puglia (BA) Phone: +39 3471549100, +39 0802147335 Email: Info@agriturismocoppa.it

Explore the vast Ruvese countryside by following the “tratturi” and the “carrare”. From Ruvo you can easily reach the hamlet of Calentano and, from there, follow the various country roads and paths to the woods and large farms that make up the network of hospitality spread throughout the countryside. You can take quiet walks in the name of history and nature. Ruvo has a bicycle station: Velocity . You can reach the city by bicycle, leave it at the bicycle station, located near the train station, and walk to the center and then pick it up again and follow the nature itineraries towards Castel del Monte or towards Gravina and Altamura.

I suggest you contact Murgia a Pedali association active in the area from which you can rent bikes and go on various excursions

Where to go to eat in Ruvo?

The Ciacco Inn Excellent value for money. 0 km products. The inn is very welcoming and familiar. In winter they also light the fireplace. For information and reservations 347 683 8134

Hermit Grill, Excellent meats from the Murgia tradition but also exquisite first courses.

For info and reservations: 0805674542 or whatsapp 3462466257

The Chicca Restaurant A point of reference for good seafood cuisine. The land menu is also excellent, especially the burnt wheat orecchiette with baked cherry tomatoes and mushrooms. For information and reservations 080 924 1002

Cemener Brace And Kitchen - Large portions with the flavor of Murgia. Mushrooms, mixed roast, first and second courses. It combines the simplicity of the location with excellent dishes. You are already full with the appetizers that are tasty and fresh.

Where the greatest Typical Mediterranean cuisine based on fish and local products. The raw seafood here is really good as if we were on the Apulian coast. Also ideal for birthday parties or banquets For information and reservations 080 362 8092

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