Altamura, Medieval commune in Puglia, Italy
Altamura is a commune in the Metropolitan City of Bari in Puglia, resting on the Murge plateau at 467 meters (1532 feet) elevation. Narrow lanes wind through the historic core and open into numerous courtyards known as claustri, which form a characteristic feature of the town layout.
Frederick II refounded the town in 1232 and ordered the building of the cathedral, which later received special privileges from Pope Innocent IV. The commune grew during the medieval period into an important center on the Apulian upland.
The name comes from the Latin alta mura, meaning high walls, which once protected the settlement on the plateau. Locals still gather in the old town squares during evening hours, where cafés spill onto the paving stones and conversations echo through the narrow lanes.
The historic center is easy to explore on foot, as most lanes run level and remain closed to vehicles. Visitors find several parking areas near the main church, from which the town core can be reached within a few minutes.
The Pulo di Altamura forms the largest karst depression in Puglia, dropping 90 meters (295 feet) below the rim of the plateau. Archaeologists discovered traces of Neolithic occupation inside the basin, showing that people used this natural shelter thousands of years ago.
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