Exploring the cities of Gal Terre di Murgia with a Three Day Itinerary

Between Nature, history and culture that blend together in a unique journey in the heart of Puglia.

Welcome to the fascinating Terre di Murgia , a pleasant discovery in the beautiful Puglia region, where the rocky landscape blends with the rich history and vibrant culture of its municipalities. Among the towns that are part of the "Gal Terre di Murgia" Altamura, Sammichele di Bari, Toritto , Cassano delle Murge, Santeramo in Colle and Bitetto the visitor is overwhelmed by the wild beauty of this land and its authentic traditions.

Some of these locations that are also part of the "Alta Murgia National Park" have already been explored and described by me in depth, and luckily for you, I have included detailed guides for each of them (click on the name of the town).

In this article I suggest you an itinerary of a few days that I experienced thanks to a project of Gal Terre di Murgia that created an area brand "Terre di Murgia - Club di Prodotto" as a strategic tool to enhance the image of the territory in its growth complex. The invitation is to repeat by choosing some of the proposed activities that you liked the most.

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.

For those looking for a break from the usual seaside ( which is just a stone's throw away and can always be enjoyed by extending your stay by a few days ) the Terre di Murgia offer a unique experience, ideal for lovers of sport and nature .

This territory is crossed by some of the six routes of the Cammino Materano including stage no. 3 Cassano delle Murge - Santeramo in Colle of 22.5 km and the Bitetto Cassano delle Murge of 25 km which is stage no. 2 and stage no. 4 the via Peuceta Santeramo in Colle Altamura where you must venture, an ancient path that crosses these suggestive landscapes, offering you views of the rolling hills and the lush nature that dot the countryside.

But it is not only nature that captures attention. Each city of the GAL Terre di Murgia is steeped in history, from the ancient walls of High Wall to the spiritual Bitetto with the visit to the Sanctuary of Blessed Giacomo which literally won me over also thanks to the resourcefulness of its friars who have created in recent years a micro brewery dedicated to Blessed "Jacobus. Brotherhood and Sharing with a taste of Beer " .

Birrificio Jacobus

Where? In the spaces where Blessed Giacomo worked as a cook right in Bitetto. The initiative is promoted by the Boccale Solidale Association, the result of the collaboration between the Friars Minor of the Convent , the lay people of the Secular Franciscan Order and the members of the Figli in Paradiso Association.

Its main objective is to promote solidarity and socially useful activities, such as the integration of people with disabilities and the recovery of historical and artistic assets. You can't miss it and you can't miss tasting its beer.

And when it's time to relax and refuel, there's no shortage of culinary delights to savor. I've tried several and have compiled my very own favorite list for you.

Enjoy the authentic flavours of Apulian cuisine, from freshly baked focaccia to local cheeses, accompanied by a good glass of Primitivo wine such as that of Tenute Viglione which in Santeramo in Colle since 1937 have produced a collection of wines from Blend to Prestige and finally Riserva.

The choice of where to sleep is subjective, but if you are staying a few days or just one night, perhaps Altamura could be the easiest choice, its nightlife is always vibrant and walking there on the weekend is really pleasant. We stayed at the BB San Francesco, a corner of paradise in the heart of Altamura, with welcoming rooms equipped with every type of comfort to satisfy all the needs of the guests.

Day 1: Altamura, Toritto, Bitetto

• Start your journey in the enchanting Altamura , famous for its delicious DOP bread

but also known by the name of Leonessa di Puglia : in her story an incredible tale of resistance and tenacity. ---> Special on Altamura <-----

The photos are from Antico Forno Santa Caterina which has been baking bread and focaccia at all hours of the day since 1937. In recent times it has become Glamour on a global level and among the various delicacies I invite you to taste a " Must have " the focaccia with eggplant parmigiana . If you book a table you can do the focaccia tasting inside the bakery.

In Altamura it is nice to walk in the company of a tourist guide admiring its medieval streets and retracing its history before enjoying a traditional Murgia lunch such as at the Cheese bar Mubhar - artisanal cheeses and wines (click to read my review )

and get lost among the true flavours of the Apulian cuisine of this land, a genuine cuisine, poor but tasty. ( To book )

• For coffee and dessert I recommend you move to Toritto . (20 minutes by car).

Master pastry chef Vito, from Pasticceria Savoia loves to define his kingdom, " as a place that does not want to be a point of arrival but of departure" . You are in the kingdom of the Toritto almond. Delicious on its own or as the protagonist in the creations of the most refined pastry (try all the almond paste sweets of Savoy) the Toritto almond is a true culinary jewel to be tasted and appreciated with every bite. With great nutritional power, it captures the essence of the Murgia Barese . Already a Slow Food presidium, it comes from the ancient local cultivars such as "Antonio Devito", "Genco" and "Filippo Cea", handed down by generations of Toritto families. The most renowned, as well as the most widespread, is the native cultivar "Filippo Cea", famous for the sweetness of its seed, usually there are always two inside.

• Immediately after, if you are not tired, you can reach the nearby Bitetto (15 minutes by car).

As anticipated in Bitetto I discovered the story of Blessed Giacomo and the solidarity brewery dedicated to him. (All the details here)

The visit is unmissable as is the visit to the museum of work that will immerse you in the ancient agricultural customs of the region and to the attached brewery where you can taste beer and talk with the friars about the process used to prepare the beer that today produces about 600 bottles a month. (Brewery Details)

The Convent founded in 1432, for about two centuries was inhabited by the Observant Friars Minor and ceded in 1625 to the Reformed Friars Minor. Today it presents itself as a notable architectural complex consisting of: the beautiful seventeenth-century church; the cloister with its frescoes; the convent which underwent significant renovations from 1400 to 1800; a large green park within which there is the Via Crucis, the grotto of the Madonna, the chapel of ecstasy and the waterfall with the statue of St. Francis.

• After a couple of hours in Bitetto, you can return to Altamura and relax in your hotel

and get ready for dinner. Going out on foot is one of the nicest things to do in the historic center of this city. We had dinner at a restaurant "Tre Archi" a corner of Murgia where refinement embraces authenticity

Every detail is taken care of with the typical mastery of those who know the value of small gestures. -- > ( click to read my review ) <- -

Day 2: A stage of the Cammino Matera with Cassano delle Murge or Santeramo in Colle and a visit to the Grotta del Cristo

Acquire the credentials of the Cammino Materano before coming to Puglia.

Set your alarm for early morning, put on comfortable shoes and venture into one of the stages of this wonderful Cammino Matera that crosses both the municipalities of Cassano delle Murge and Santeramo in Colle ----> Special Santeramo in Colle <-----

All routes are approximately 22 to 25 km per stage - you can choose the three stages that pass through this area.

The Peuceta route 3rd STAGE (all the details here) whose stage leader is Paolo Ravano , is the most renowned, at the end of which you can stop for refreshments in a corner of paradise: the Agriturismo Amicizia (if you are closer to Cassano)

I assure you one of the most beautiful rural experiences I have had at least so far in Puglia, here is my review.

Everything at km 0.

Also unmissable during this stretch of the Camino towards Cassano is a visit to the Grotta di Cristo, almost unknown, we visited it because Pierino from Agriturismo Amicizia is the keeper of the keys. (Call him to book a visit) Pierino is also the organizer of the mega beer festival that has been taking place for years in Cassano delle Murge

A valid alternative for refreshment during the walk is Masseria Galietti (if you are closer to Santeramo in Colle) surrounded by a large pine forest of about 20 hectares Inside the pine forest there is the tree of thoughts, where it is possible for walkers to enclose their thoughts and emotions inside small suspended bottles. The walker must do nothing but write what he wants on one of the little notes placed in a glass container found on a specially prepared table, and insert it into one of the many little bottles, in this way he will have left a sign of his passage.

Contacts Masseria Galietti info@giaccheverdisanteramo.it +39 338 837 6461

3 km from Santeramo

• In the evening or late afternoon, return to Altamura for a well-deserved rest and dinner in one of the restaurants in the historic center or sip a cicchetto di Padre Peppe . It is a typical Apulian liqueur based on walnuts, produced since 1832 according to the ancient secret recipe formulated in the convent by the Capuchin friar Giuseppe Ronchi.

Day 3. Sannicandro and Gravina (outside the Gal but close to Altamura)

You can conclude your journey by visiting the Sannicandro Castle, which has undergone a major restoration project that tells the thousand-year history of the region and which has now been transformed into a grand cultural container available to the community of San Teremona.

Finally, immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of Gravina. It is not part of the Gal Terre di Murgia, with its archaeological area on which stands the wonderful Ponte Acquedotto. It is too close to Altamura not to see it for all the details I leave you the --- ->Special Gravina <----

This itinerary will take you on a journey through centuries of history, culture and spirituality, offering you an authentic and unforgettable experience in the cities of Gal Terre di Murgia. Have a nice trip!