culture Minervino Murge near the Ofanto valley is defined the “Balcony of Apulia” for its dominant position at 445 meters above the sea level. It’s territory is part of the Alta Murgia National Park. It’s impossible not to notice the beautiful landscape all around. Looking at the village from far away, it could remind of a natural and imposing stronghold. From above instead, you’ll see the natural landscape of the Murgia land, facing from one side the Gargano peninsula and the sea, and from the other the Vulture area and the Ofanto valley. It’s an amazing landscape combined with the fascinating archeological areas where once the ancient population of the Iapyges lived, where Roman villas were built and where the medieval district, i.e. the “Scesciola” district is observable. Finally, from an artistic and speleological point of view the “Saint Michael Grotto” is worth being mentioned. It’s a 70 meters long karstic cavity with stalagmites and stalactites, but also some frescoes, reminding of the previous pagan rites and the worship of Saint Michael later. To enter the grotto there’s a steep staircase carved out of the calcareous stone.
Infine merita attenzione, per l’interesse storico, artistico e speleologico, la “Grotta di San Michele”, cavità carsica, lunga 70m, con depositi calcarei a formazione stalattitica e stalagmitica, affresci, già luogo pagano e poi dedicata al culto del Santo. L’accesso alla grotta è una scalinata abbozzata nei blocchi calcarei, alquanto ripida e di grande suggestione.

FOOD AND WINE Minervino Murge boasts an excellent gastronomic tradition you can experience directly in the several local restaurants and the “masserie” i.e. the farm restaurants of the town. Main dishes are based on agricultural products such as mushrooms, asparagus, vegetables from the countryside. Experienced cooks prepare handmade pasta, focaccia, jam and vincotto (lit. “cooked wine”, sweet dense grape must) sweets. Sheep- and pig-farming produce a good meat quality, especially the famous “Salsiccia di Minervino” i.e. a barbecued sausage or with tomatoes.



EVENTS-ENTERTAINMENT The most important events are linked to gastronomy. All over the year there are village fairs. The most important are “the Lamb and Pecorino Fair” in April or in October “the Cardoncello Mushroom and Sausage fair”. You won’t forget those flavours anymore!