Guidebook for Castellana Grotte

Lia
Guidebook for Castellana Grotte

Food Scene

Very peculiar location inside an old olive oil mill, during the summer is possible to eat outside in a quiet pedestrian road of the ancient town. Food is really good, the chef Gianni cook local courses with a touch of "nouvelle cuisine"; his dishes are a pleasure also for the eyes. Don't miss "antipasti". http://www.osteriadelcarosenobeb.com/
13 locals recommend
Osteria del Caroseno
18 Via Santomagno
13 locals recommend
Very peculiar location inside an old olive oil mill, during the summer is possible to eat outside in a quiet pedestrian road of the ancient town. Food is really good, the chef Gianni cook local courses with a touch of "nouvelle cuisine"; his dishes are a pleasure also for the eyes. Don't miss "antipasti". http://www.osteriadelcarosenobeb.com/
Very nice pizza. The indoor place is in local white stone but, during the summer is possible to eat outside. http://www.pizzeriabernardo.it/
Pizzeria da Bernardo
10 Via Conversano
Very nice pizza. The indoor place is in local white stone but, during the summer is possible to eat outside. http://www.pizzeriabernardo.it/
Here you can eat any kind of food: pasta, pizza, fish, meat, ... and drink different beers from small breweries. During the summer you can eat in really quite courtyard under the patio or in the sunshine between olives trees. During the weekends is possible to dance with live music. The owner is really frendly. http://www.ilpiattofumante.it/
Ristorante Il Piatto Fumante
5f SP 237
Here you can eat any kind of food: pasta, pizza, fish, meat, ... and drink different beers from small breweries. During the summer you can eat in really quite courtyard under the patio or in the sunshine between olives trees. During the weekends is possible to dance with live music. The owner is really frendly. http://www.ilpiattofumante.it/
Fish restaurant. Very easy place (you'll eat in disposable dishes) but you can choose the fresh fish and they'll cook it as you like. During the summer tables are on the square.
6 locals recommend
Friggitoria San Domenico
8 Piazza S. Domenico
6 locals recommend
Fish restaurant. Very easy place (you'll eat in disposable dishes) but you can choose the fresh fish and they'll cook it as you like. During the summer tables are on the square.
In the heart of the old town of Monopoli. Really good food, nice location, courtesy, good quality/price ratio ... what else ? http://www.ristorantedalghiottone.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=125&Itemid=1387
Ristorante dal Ghiottone
5 Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi
In the heart of the old town of Monopoli. Really good food, nice location, courtesy, good quality/price ratio ... what else ? http://www.ristorantedalghiottone.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=125&Itemid=1387
In the main square of the old town of Putignano. During the summer you can eat delicious food sitting on the side of San Pietro curch's stairs surrouded by aromatic herbs.
7 locals recommend
Osteria Botteghe Antiche
8 Piazza Plebiscito
7 locals recommend
In the main square of the old town of Putignano. During the summer you can eat delicious food sitting on the side of San Pietro curch's stairs surrouded by aromatic herbs.
Because Ottavio is one of the best chef in Puglia, Miriam is a excellent sommelier and the location is cosy. http://www.borgoanticosteria.it/home.php
8 locals recommend
OSTERIA DEL BORGO ANTICO
89 Via Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour
8 locals recommend
Because Ottavio is one of the best chef in Puglia, Miriam is a excellent sommelier and the location is cosy. http://www.borgoanticosteria.it/home.php

Essentials

Here you can find different kind of bread and focaccia. They also prepare taralli, biscuits, and several other typical sweets. While shopping is possible to drink or eat something in the coffee corner. They are open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Panificio Mancini
1 Via Marchione
Here you can find different kind of bread and focaccia. They also prepare taralli, biscuits, and several other typical sweets. While shopping is possible to drink or eat something in the coffee corner. They are open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Probably the best cheese factory in Castellana Grotte. You can taste local cheese, fresh every day, and they are very well organize if you like to bring some at home on your way back. http://www.palmirottasrl.it/
CP Caseificio Palmirotta
1 Via Turi
Probably the best cheese factory in Castellana Grotte. You can taste local cheese, fresh every day, and they are very well organize if you like to bring some at home on your way back. http://www.palmirottasrl.it/
Pharmacy. http://www.farmaciapugliese.it/index.asp
Farmacia Pugliese snc dei Dr.i Verdoni Daniele e Massimo
110 Via Conversano
Pharmacy. http://www.farmaciapugliese.it/index.asp
Hospital and Emergency department
Hospital Saverio De Bellis
27 Via Turi
Hospital and Emergency department
Do you have some problem with your glasses ? They will solve it !
Ottica Rita
13 Piazza Garibaldi
Do you have some problem with your glasses ? They will solve it !
Police
Carabinieri Comando Stazione Castellana Grotte
1 Via Fratelli Bandiera
Police
A good choice of fresh fish every day. Is possible to buy also some ready dishes or eat a mixed fish fried there.
Pescheria Gastronomia Torres Castellana
51 Via Guglielmo Marconi
A good choice of fresh fish every day. Is possible to buy also some ready dishes or eat a mixed fish fried there.
Post office
Poste Italiane
1 Via Turi
Post office
Is the Supermarket where we go. Quite big, with a good choice of fresh cheese and cured meats and different kinds of really good meat also ready for barbecque. Open 8,30 am - 1,30 pm and 5 pm - 9 pm also on Thursday afternoon. Close on Sunday Not recommended for vegetables and fruits (better some little shops)
10 locals recommend
Supermercati Dok
Via Sold Rocco Tinelli
10 locals recommend
Is the Supermarket where we go. Quite big, with a good choice of fresh cheese and cured meats and different kinds of really good meat also ready for barbecque. Open 8,30 am - 1,30 pm and 5 pm - 9 pm also on Thursday afternoon. Close on Sunday Not recommended for vegetables and fruits (better some little shops)
Here you can buy different kinds of fresh and dry pasta and a choice of traditional dishis ready to take away and eat or cook in the oven
Sabatelli Donato
57 Via Mater Domini
Here you can buy different kinds of fresh and dry pasta and a choice of traditional dishis ready to take away and eat or cook in the oven
they don't close during lunch time and are open also on Sunday morning
8 locals recommend
Eurospin
Via Monopoli
8 locals recommend
they don't close during lunch time and are open also on Sunday morning

Sightseeing

Castellana Grotte is famous for its Caves. This spectacular network of caves with Stalagmites and Stalactites have been carved out by underground streams over many centuries. http://www.grottedicastellana.it/en/ http://www.grottedicastellana.it/fr/ http://www.grottedicastellana.it/de/ http://www.grottedicastellana.it/
276 locals recommend
Grotte di Castellana
Piazza Franco Anelli
276 locals recommend
Castellana Grotte is famous for its Caves. This spectacular network of caves with Stalagmites and Stalactites have been carved out by underground streams over many centuries. http://www.grottedicastellana.it/en/ http://www.grottedicastellana.it/fr/ http://www.grottedicastellana.it/de/ http://www.grottedicastellana.it/
The Chiesa Madre (Mother Church) was erected in 1383 and is dedicated to San Leone Magno, a Roman pope. The church was erected by widening a pre-existing Romanic church and enclosing a Norman defensive tower which later became the bell tower. The statue of Leone Magno dominates the main façade; however, it is the south-eastern façade which enthrals for its decorative beauty. In the interior there are late Gothic traces of the Angevin period, well visible in some archways and most of all in a fresco which came to light during the restoration works carried out in 1970. The modern, imposing organ embellishes the wall in front of the high altar. Also valuable is the capitulary archive of San Leone, which preserves documents dating back to the 15th century. Before leaving the church, it is worth paying a visit to the chapel of the Santissimo Sacramento where the 17th century polychromatic marbles altar is decorated in its frontal with a refined image of a Madonna con Bambino. http://www.visitcastellanagrotte.it/en/discover/the-mother-church-of-castellana-grotte-031.html
Church of Saint Leo Magnus
37 Largo San Leone Magno
The Chiesa Madre (Mother Church) was erected in 1383 and is dedicated to San Leone Magno, a Roman pope. The church was erected by widening a pre-existing Romanic church and enclosing a Norman defensive tower which later became the bell tower. The statue of Leone Magno dominates the main façade; however, it is the south-eastern façade which enthrals for its decorative beauty. In the interior there are late Gothic traces of the Angevin period, well visible in some archways and most of all in a fresco which came to light during the restoration works carried out in 1970. The modern, imposing organ embellishes the wall in front of the high altar. Also valuable is the capitulary archive of San Leone, which preserves documents dating back to the 15th century. Before leaving the church, it is worth paying a visit to the chapel of the Santissimo Sacramento where the 17th century polychromatic marbles altar is decorated in its frontal with a refined image of a Madonna con Bambino. http://www.visitcastellanagrotte.it/en/discover/the-mother-church-of-castellana-grotte-031.html
The church was reconstructed and expanded in 1582 on behest of Adriano Acquaviva d’Aragona, Count of Conversano, whose wife and children had been saved from the smallpox; the reconstruction was also a vow of the Countess. In the interior of the Convento, there is a very plain cloister made of round arches. The only decoration is the well, inserted inside a round arch. http://www.visitcastellanagrotte.it/en/discover/the-church-of-the-madonna-della-vetrana-030.html
Santuario Maria SS. della Vetrana patrona di Castellana Grotte
40 Via del Convento
The church was reconstructed and expanded in 1582 on behest of Adriano Acquaviva d’Aragona, Count of Conversano, whose wife and children had been saved from the smallpox; the reconstruction was also a vow of the Countess. In the interior of the Convento, there is a very plain cloister made of round arches. The only decoration is the well, inserted inside a round arch. http://www.visitcastellanagrotte.it/en/discover/the-church-of-the-madonna-della-vetrana-030.html
The Town Hall has its seat in the ancient monastery of the Conventual Franciscans, annexed to the church of San Francesco di Assisi. A part of the ancient cloister reminds us of the quietness of a convent life and can be admired on the left when entering the Town Hall. The barrel vaults on the ground floor are peculiar indeed. Going up the state staircase and reaching the room on the first floor, a refined balustrade links a couple of columns which sustain the elaborated arches. http://www.visitcastellanagrotte.it/en/discover/the-town-hall-029.html
City of Castellana Grotte
9 Via Guglielmo Marconi
The Town Hall has its seat in the ancient monastery of the Conventual Franciscans, annexed to the church of San Francesco di Assisi. A part of the ancient cloister reminds us of the quietness of a convent life and can be admired on the left when entering the Town Hall. The barrel vaults on the ground floor are peculiar indeed. Going up the state staircase and reaching the room on the first floor, a refined balustrade links a couple of columns which sustain the elaborated arches. http://www.visitcastellanagrotte.it/en/discover/the-town-hall-029.html

Entertainment & Activities

Nice for children. http://www.ilparcodeidinosauri.it/
13 locals recommend
Parco dei Dinosauri
157 Via Conversano
13 locals recommend
Nice for children. http://www.ilparcodeidinosauri.it/
Adventure park for adults an children. http://castellana.indianapark.it/
13 locals recommend
IndianaPark
Strada Comunale Chiancafredda
13 locals recommend
Adventure park for adults an children. http://castellana.indianapark.it/
The largest safari park in southern Europe. It is also possible spend some time in the amusement park. http://www.zoosafari.it/
361 locals recommend
Zoosafari
Via dello Zoosafari
361 locals recommend
The largest safari park in southern Europe. It is also possible spend some time in the amusement park. http://www.zoosafari.it/
For fun in the water just in front of the sea. http://www.acquaparkegnazia.it/
113 locals recommend
AcquaPark Egnazia
Contrada Losciale
113 locals recommend
For fun in the water just in front of the sea. http://www.acquaparkegnazia.it/

Arts & Culture

One of the most interesting archeological site of Puglia. The ancient town of "Gnathia" was built just in front of the sea and her 30 century of history are well explained in the Museum of 13 rooms. http://www.egnaziaonline.it/index_file/Page413.htm http://www.egnaziaonline.it/index.htm
8 locals recommend
Necropoli di Egnazia
Strada Comunale Egnazia
8 locals recommend
One of the most interesting archeological site of Puglia. The ancient town of "Gnathia" was built just in front of the sea and her 30 century of history are well explained in the Museum of 13 rooms. http://www.egnaziaonline.it/index_file/Page413.htm http://www.egnaziaonline.it/index.htm
Putignano is well known for its Carnival. It is the oldest (dating to 1394) and longest Italian carnival. It starts the day after Christmas and finishes the day before the ash Wednesday. There are four Carnival parades, three on the last month's Sundays and one in the evening of the last day of carnival, Shrove Tuesday. Since 2005 the Carnival Foundation added a summer parades that usually takes place in July. http://www.carnevalediputignano.it/ Grotta del Trullo is among the most evocative karst cavities of the Apulian territory. Its modest size, together with the amazing amount of stalagmites and stalactites, make it a real jewel of millenary beauty. The only cave, today, kept under a trullo, is the first tourist cave in Puglia. http://www.grottadeltrullo.com/ http://www.grottadeltrullo.com/?lang=it
36 locals recommend
Putignano
36 locals recommend
Putignano is well known for its Carnival. It is the oldest (dating to 1394) and longest Italian carnival. It starts the day after Christmas and finishes the day before the ash Wednesday. There are four Carnival parades, three on the last month's Sundays and one in the evening of the last day of carnival, Shrove Tuesday. Since 2005 the Carnival Foundation added a summer parades that usually takes place in July. http://www.carnevalediputignano.it/ Grotta del Trullo is among the most evocative karst cavities of the Apulian territory. Its modest size, together with the amazing amount of stalagmites and stalactites, make it a real jewel of millenary beauty. The only cave, today, kept under a trullo, is the first tourist cave in Puglia. http://www.grottadeltrullo.com/ http://www.grottadeltrullo.com/?lang=it
Conversano's main attraction is the medieval Castle, which dates from the period of Norman-Hohenstaufen rule in the Kingdom of Sicily. The castle is located on a hill overlooking the city, and probably dates from the Gothic Wars (6th century). The Romanesque cathedral was built in the 11th century but received new decor in the 14th and, in Baroque style, in the 17th centuries. The exterior is in Romanesque style with a large 15th-century rose window and three portals, the middle one having sculpted decoration. The floor plan is T-shaped with two eastbound apses; the aisles are characterized by matronaei and, in the left one, a 15th-century fresco from the Pisan school. The church houses the icon of the Madonna della Fonte, protector of the city. The Benedictine Monastery, founded, according to tradition, in the 6th century, was once one of the most powerful in Apulia. It was the only convent in western Europe that allowed nuns to wear male religious symbols, such as the mitre. The church has maintained part of the 11th-century structure, while the decorated side entrance is from 1658. The interior has a nave and two aisles, with Baroque decor, and two canvasses by Paolo Finoglio. The crypt, dedicated to San Mauro, is from the 11th century. The bell tower rises higher than that of the cathedral, to symbolize the superior status of the nuns over the local bishop. Other landmarks include the megalithic walls (6th century BC), the Baroque church of SS. Cosma e Damiano, the church of St. Francis (1289), and, 1 km outside the city, the church of St. Catherine (c. 12th century). In the neighborhood are the church of Santa Maria dell'Isola (1462, enlarged in 1530), the Castle of Marchione (an 18th-century country residence of the Acquaviva), and the ruins of Castiglione (13th-16th centuries).
87 locals recommend
Conversano
87 locals recommend
Conversano's main attraction is the medieval Castle, which dates from the period of Norman-Hohenstaufen rule in the Kingdom of Sicily. The castle is located on a hill overlooking the city, and probably dates from the Gothic Wars (6th century). The Romanesque cathedral was built in the 11th century but received new decor in the 14th and, in Baroque style, in the 17th centuries. The exterior is in Romanesque style with a large 15th-century rose window and three portals, the middle one having sculpted decoration. The floor plan is T-shaped with two eastbound apses; the aisles are characterized by matronaei and, in the left one, a 15th-century fresco from the Pisan school. The church houses the icon of the Madonna della Fonte, protector of the city. The Benedictine Monastery, founded, according to tradition, in the 6th century, was once one of the most powerful in Apulia. It was the only convent in western Europe that allowed nuns to wear male religious symbols, such as the mitre. The church has maintained part of the 11th-century structure, while the decorated side entrance is from 1658. The interior has a nave and two aisles, with Baroque decor, and two canvasses by Paolo Finoglio. The crypt, dedicated to San Mauro, is from the 11th century. The bell tower rises higher than that of the cathedral, to symbolize the superior status of the nuns over the local bishop. Other landmarks include the megalithic walls (6th century BC), the Baroque church of SS. Cosma e Damiano, the church of St. Francis (1289), and, 1 km outside the city, the church of St. Catherine (c. 12th century). In the neighborhood are the church of Santa Maria dell'Isola (1462, enlarged in 1530), the Castle of Marchione (an 18th-century country residence of the Acquaviva), and the ruins of Castiglione (13th-16th centuries).

Parks & Nature

Located on the northern Adriatic coast of Salento, not far from Carovigno and San Vito dei Normanni, the Protected Marine Area of Torre Guaceto stretches for 8 km (5 mi) between Punta Penna Grossa and the cliffs of Apani. The reserve's landscape is characterized by coastal dunes, with some tracts of gray dunes reaching a height of 15 meters (50 feet). South of Torre Guaceto's coastal watchtower, the shore is linear, consisting mainly of clay cliffs. But near the tower towards the northern side, the coast unravels into a series of crags with jagged edges, creating a fretwork of small inlets. However, continuing towards Punta Penna Grossa, the shore becomes a sandy beach with shallow waters. Patches of rocky seafloor are ideal for sea-watching and snorkeling, while areas of soft, sandy seabed are covered with Posidonia oceanica (Neptune Grass) and Coral biocoenosis (biotic communities known as Apulian pre-corals). Torre Guaceto's beach is also accessible to disabled people thanks to a ramp running down to the water.
220 locals recommend
Torre Guaceto
220 locals recommend
Located on the northern Adriatic coast of Salento, not far from Carovigno and San Vito dei Normanni, the Protected Marine Area of Torre Guaceto stretches for 8 km (5 mi) between Punta Penna Grossa and the cliffs of Apani. The reserve's landscape is characterized by coastal dunes, with some tracts of gray dunes reaching a height of 15 meters (50 feet). South of Torre Guaceto's coastal watchtower, the shore is linear, consisting mainly of clay cliffs. But near the tower towards the northern side, the coast unravels into a series of crags with jagged edges, creating a fretwork of small inlets. However, continuing towards Punta Penna Grossa, the shore becomes a sandy beach with shallow waters. Patches of rocky seafloor are ideal for sea-watching and snorkeling, while areas of soft, sandy seabed are covered with Posidonia oceanica (Neptune Grass) and Coral biocoenosis (biotic communities known as Apulian pre-corals). Torre Guaceto's beach is also accessible to disabled people thanks to a ramp running down to the water.