Alta Murgia National Park

It is situated on the peak of an isolated hill in the territory of Andria. It is considered the most fascinating castle built by Frederick II and the most mysterious at the same time. A masterpiece of medieval architecture, built in the 13th century, it is characterized by an unusual octagon shape with octagonal towers at each corner. This sets it apart from all other castles, making it unique in the world. For its outstanding universal value, UNESCO included Castel del Monte in its World Heritage list in 1996. A little curiosity that tourists should know is that the image of the castle appears on the Italian 1 cent coin.

Also known as Valle Incantata, (the Enchanted Valley) the Dinosaur Valley lies between the two cities of Altamura and Santeramo in Colle, in which some fossilized footprints of dinosaurs have been found. There are more or less a hundred, different-sized and belonging to at least five different species of herbivore and carnivore dinosaurs. These footprints are extremely important to study dinosaurs lives (solitary or in group). There is no doubt that there are footprints of dinosaurs in every corner of the world, but the archeological site between Altamura and Santeramo in Colle is definitely significant for the quality of conservation biodiversity. Please note that it is not always possible to visit the Valley, indeed, the municipality of Altamura periodically organizes guided tours.

The Bauxite Quarry near Spinazzola is a place that you cannot miss. It was a functioning quarry in which between the 1950s and 70s this mineral was extracted and transformed into aluminum. Subsequently abandoned, the quarry today represent a place of important environmental interest. Like a painting, where the red earth mixes with the green of the vegetation, with the blue of the sky and the small pond in the heart of the quarry. It is a magical place to visit, off the beaten track. In 2019, due to its beauty it even attracted a National Geographic troupe who, surprised by this landscape, claimed it was a charming place.

They are the ruins of a medieval castle near the town of Poggiorsini. Located on the top of a hill, it was built in the Norman-Swabian era by Frederick II but due to the earthquake in 1731, the fortress collapsed. Today, the ruins of the Rocca continues to dominate the hill after centuries, camouflaging itself among the rocks of its territory, and for this reason it is called "Invisible Castle". The Rocca del Garagnone is an ideal place for hiking, trekking and cycling, for those who love nature and history at the same time. While hiking in the mystical silences of Alta Murgia you can still hear the echo of kings and knights.

It offers guided tours across the territory of the Murgia, allowing people to experience and to discover places, such as the Bauxite Quarry and the Rocca del Garagnone. However, the bike is not the only means by which you can cross and enjoy these breathtaking views.

There is the possibility to book a horseback riding tour, and if you are a horse riding lover, you absolutely must do it to make this experience in the Alta Murgia National Park even more unforgettable.

If you are on holiday with your family and you have young children, you must visit the Boscosauro, near Altamura. Your family will surely have fun thanks to the workshops, picnic and above all to the presence of life-sized dinosaurs, capable of moving and roaring just like the real ones thanks to animatronics technology.