Massafra: an itinerary

What to see in Massafra in 2 days. Here an itinerary to discover its natural, artistic, historical and traditional beauties.

This is a two-day itinerary of Massafra, a little town near Taranto, in Apulia. You can visit Massafra basically whenever you want, thanks to its beautiful weather, but I suggest to prefer spring and late summer, especially for this itinerary. So, if you’re ready, let’s get started!

Leggi in italiano

1. THE RAVINE “SAN MARCO”

It was also called the “Paradise of Massafra”. It’s a ravine that divides the town in two parts: on one side there’s the historical centre and the castle; on the other side there’s the new part of the town. Sometimes ago I wrote this blog post about the ravine and the rural village that it hosted. Click here to read it.

2. THE HISTORICAL CENTRE

I suggest you to start your visit of the historical centre from the central square, Piazza Garibaldi. I like it because I can feel the atmosphere of a place that once was the meeting point for the people of Massafra. 

There’s a coffee shop here that keeps a surprise for those who take a seat inside. Looking up at the ceiling, you will see some frescos, which are what remains of the ancient St. Mary of Constantinople’s, one of the most important churches of the past of Massafra, that dated beck the 16th century. It was demolished in 1929, but you can still enjoy these wonders while you sip your tea or your drink with a friend. Besides, you can see a painting that was in this church in St. Lawrence’s, the cathedral of Massafra, a few steps away from Piazza Garibaldi. 

On the opposite side of the square you can see the Baroque clock tower and St. Benedict’s. This church isn’t always open, but if it is, enter because it’s a little Baroque treasure.

3. THE CASTLE

Taking Via Lopizzo, walk toward the medieval castle. Nowadays it hosts the library and the museum of oil and wine. If you are in Massafra in summer, you could take part to some of several events 

organized in the parade ground and I assure you that it’s a really fascinating show.

4.  UNDERGROUND MASSAFRA

Beneath the historical centre of Massafra there are some caves. We can say that they are the ancestors of our fridges. They were dug in the rock in an upside down pyramid and were used to store snow. Then people were able to store food and to keep it fresh for longer. The entrance of these “neviere” is in some private houses, so you’ll need a guide to visit them. Besides, you’ll need a torch and trekking shoes. I really suggest to visit them if you love adventure and feel a bit like Indiana Jones.

5. ST. ANTHONY’S

Massafra is known for its rural culture. So, you can’t miss a visit to one of the most beautiful and best preserved rural chapel, St. Anthony’s. Here too you’ll need a guide to visit it, because it’s usually closed to protect it. It’s incredible to see how perfect this place is and how well it’s arrived to us. It’s amazing how easy is to imagine people pray when the chapel was still used and you could even feel that sense of sanctity.

6. “IL QUARTIERE DEGLI OSTINATI”

This is a part of the old town but it’s on the other side of the ravine. This is because in this part of the little town lived those people who weren’t welcomed within the city walls. Nowadays it’s a really distinctive place, crowded especially during summer nights. Come here to enjoy an excellent glass of wine offered by the winery Falso Pepe and admire the night landscape of the ravine. I can assure you that it has something magical.

7. THE HIGH CHURCH

There’s a church that for me is one of the most beautiful of the town: the High Church. It dates back the 16th century and, although it’s quite simple outside, inside it’s a real wonder. The altar and the wooden structure in the area of the apse have a breathtaking beauty, together with the chapel of the most Holy Sacrament, covered with frescos, where there are the statues used for the rituals of Holy Week.

To come back to Piazza Garibaldi, walk along Via La Terra. It’s a long way up, but it’s really distinctive with the caste right over you. Look around while walking and you’ll see some beautiful examples of meetings between rural culture and street art.

8. THE RAVINE “MADONNA DELLA SCALA” AND ITS SHRINE

Our itinerary ends with a symbol of Massafra : the Ravine “Madonna della Scala” and its shrine. I already wrote two blog posts (one of them is the very first post of this blog!) about this place. You can read them here and here.

I hope that you liked this itinerary in Massafra and that it might have inspired you.

Now tell me, did you already know Massafra? Would you like to visit it?  Let me know in the comment! See you in next blog post!