Ofanto, River system in Apulia, Italy
The Ofanto is a river that flows from the Irpinia Plateau in Campania for roughly 170 kilometers, passing through Basilicata before reaching the Apulian plains and the Gulf of Manfredonia. The waterway crosses a mix of hilly terrain and flat agricultural areas that make up much of the landscape it travels through.
The river was known as Aufidus in Roman times and served as a major transportation route connecting inland communities to coastal ports. The Battle of Cannae took place along its banks in 216 BCE and remains one of Europe's most famous military encounters.
The river shapes how local people have always managed their land, with farming methods developed over time to handle its unpredictable water levels. Communities along the course have learned to work with the seasonal changes rather than against them.
You can access the riverbank at several spots, especially near Cannae and Canosa di Puglia, where walking paths run alongside the water. Spring through fall offers the best conditions for exploring, as the weather is mild and water levels are more stable.
The river shifts from a gentle mountain stream to a powerful force during autumn rains, creating dramatic changes in the landscape. These extreme swings have shaped the entire regional ecosystem and continue to influence how both nature and human settlements adapt.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
