Altamura and its famous bread

Altamura, a town nestled in the Alta Murgia National Park, famous for its DOP bread.

Altamura is a characteristic town in the hinterland of the province of Bari which, thanks to its geographical position (it is located in the heart of the Alta Murgia National Park , almost on the border with Basilicata) has an important cereal cultivation which allows the processing of quality flours in industrial quantities, the same flours which have allowed the production of the precious and sought-after Altamura bread , a typical local product recognised as DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) .

Altamura 's main symbol is undoubtedly the Romanesque Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta , located in the heart of the historic center . Over the centuries, it has undergone a series of architectural renovations that have shaped it into what it is today. However, the Cathedral is not the city's only church; there are several other churches you might encounter during your strolls, some of which are equally evocative, such as the Church of San Nicola and the Church of Santa Maria della Consolazione .

It's also important to spend a few words on the historic center itself, a true gem of Altamura since the characteristics of its buildings allow it to be identified as a small village that shines with its own light, a sort of city within a city that is also a destination for tourists.

Going slightly further out of town, precisely about 6 km from Altamura , it is possible to visit one of the many characteristic areas of the Murgia; it is the Pulo di Altamura , a sinkhole (the largest of the four present in the Alta Murgia) with the appearance of a large chasm within which it is even possible to observe some caves of natural origin presumably inhabited by Homo Sapiens ; and how can we not also mention the Altamura man , one of the most unique and rare discoveries ever made in Italy, right inside one of the caves that surround the territory of Altamura .

This is the fossil skeleton of a man from the Paleolithic period, belonging to the Neanderthal homo and discovered in 1993 in the Lamalunga Cave , which testifies to the incredible history of this fantastic territory.

And what about Altamura bread ? The quintessential local product (recognized as a DOP in 2005) Altamura bread is so good that it's been considered one of the most popular products in Italy, as well as among the 10 most popular breads in the country . It's characterized by durum wheat semolina and a super-crunchy crust that pairs perfectly with meals featuring other typical Apulian products. It's a bread you'll never forget; in fact, want a tip? Try it with a drizzle of Apulian extra virgin olive oil and some cherry tomatoes... "and see what you can eat," they say in Bari. In short, there's no need to tell you that this part of Puglia is also destined to provide you with a wealth of satisfaction.