Lama d'Antico, Nature reserve and national heritage site in Fasano, Italy.
Lama d'Antico is a nature reserve in Valle d'Itria marked by limestone formations, natural caves, and Mediterranean plants that cover the terrain. The site contains several rock churches carved into the stone and features different levels that create a complex pattern of natural landscape and human settlement.
The area contains traces of human settlement reaching back to the Bronze Age, with dwellings carved into rock as early evidence of habitation. Over centuries, use evolved as people carved religious spaces into the same stone formations.
The rock churches scattered throughout have traditional frescoes painted on their walls, showing how local people once used natural cavities for worship. These religious spaces carved into stone reflect a deep link between daily faith and the surrounding landscape.
The best time to visit is from May through October when the site is open daily. Wear comfortable shoes since exploring involves walking across uneven terrain with varying elevation changes throughout the reserve.
The specific microclimate created by the limestone formations supports rare plant species found nowhere else in the surrounding region. This environment also allows local residents to maintain traditional farming methods that have been passed down through generations.
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