Alta Murgia Most of Altamura’s territory lies in the National Park of “Alta Murgia”. Altamura is known in Italy and abroad for the production of a typical bread, for its relevant paleontological discoveries, such as the Man of Altamura and the dinosaurs’ quarry, and for its Cathedral.

National Park The National Park of Alta Murgia is characterized by the presence of signs of human civilizations and nature. From a geological point of view, this particular territory consists of a big karst area.

Dinosaurs’ Quarry The Dinosaurs’ Quarry is situated in Altamura’s Valley, also called the “Enchanted Valley”. Three thousand footprints of carnivorous and herbivorous dinosaurs were discovered in 1999, the findings may be traced back to 70 million years ago! The prints’ conservation status is very good. The Quarry is the most famous site in Europe.

Man of Altamura In 1993, in a cave, the “Man of Altamura” was found. He dates back to about 40,000 years ago, that is the period of Neanderthal. The skeleton is coated by a calcareous cover that often assumes the appearance of coral.

Altamura’s bread Altamura’s bread is an officially DOP handmade product. It is a typical Apulian bread made from a mixture of durum wheat, naturally leavened, baked in a wood oven. It is famous for its fragrance and flavor. It is yellow, has a crisp crust and a soft crumb.

Cathedral The Cathedral was built in 1232 by the Emperor Frederick II, who ordered the construction of the church and dedicated it to the Assumption. The original model is an example of the Apulian Romanesque style and reminds that of Saint Nicholas’ church in Bari, but with the clear influence of Gothic language, which provides crystalline forms and tasteful décor of Oriental origin such as those that characterize the mullioned window in the facade.

The orientation that characterizes today the cathedral is the reverse of the original, but we cannot say if this drastic change was made ​​ at the time of Robert of Anjou (first half of XIV century) or during the extension works between 1521 and 1547.

At the time of the Angevin domination the north door was opened, while the construction of a second bell tower, the area of the altar and sacristy were added in the first half of the sixteenth century. Eighteenth-century works are the loggia between the two towers, the end of the bell towers and the inner lining of marble.