Massafra

It is a place of worship in Baroque-neoclassical style and is a place of worship of the Madonna, protector of the city of Massafra since 1776.

The Gravina della Madonna della Scala contains a natural environment rich in caves and plants. It is said that in this very environment there was a healer known as Mago Greguro who lived in one of the many excavated caves that he himself transformed into a pharmacy, dedicating his days to the treatment of plants to obtain medicines.

The Massafra Carnival is one of the most famous carnivals in Puglia, renowned for its enormous papier-mâché floats, traditional masks, and, above all, its strong popular participation. The most spectacular elements are the gigantic papier-mâché floats, handcrafted by local papier-mâché masters; some floats can reach up to 20 meters in height and depict political, satirical, and fantasy themes. This carnival is dominated by popular participation, with the streets filling with music and confetti, and its motto is "Everyone is a protagonist, no one is a spectator." The floats are further divided into a first category (the largest and most technically advanced floats), a second category, and finally, the masked groups, each of which, upon arriving in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, performs before a panel of judges. The Massafra Carnival is considered a "Historical Carnival" recognized by the Ministry of Culture, and in 2026, its 73rd edition was celebrated.