Cassano delle Murge is a municipality in the metropolitan city of Bari with 14,937 inhabitants.
The municipality is known above all for the presence, in its territory, of the Mercadante forest, a vast equipped pine forest dating back to 1928, when it was created with the aim of avoiding the hydrogeological instability of the Murgia.
Furthermore, Cassano delle Murge is known for its devotion to “Maria SS. degli Angeli”, the patron saint of the city, who is celebrated on 1-2-3-4 August in the thousand-year-old natural cave of the Sanctuary of the same name.
On the evening of August 2nd, the statue of the Madonna degli Angeli is transported on a magnificent triumphal chariot from the Sanctuary through the streets of the town.
The origins of Cassano appear to date back to the Roman age, as confirmed by numerous archaeological finds, such as the recent discovery of a precious mosaic floor from the 5th century.
Also in the late ancient age, in a point of the territory called “Lago di Battaglia” a clash took place relating to the Greco-Gothic War between the army of the Eastern Roman Empire and the troops of the Goth Totila, during which a woman from Cassano dressed as a warrior distinguished herself for her courage and fell heroically.
To honor her memory, her companions erected a monument with a pile of stones, still called today “Specchia di femina morta”.
Due to the karst conformation of the territory, there are numerous caves. The largest is located about 3 km from the urban agglomeration, the cave called "of Christ", discovered in the 17th century.
Historical investigations have confirmed the existence of a temple dedicated to Janus in the place where the church of SS. Crocifisso is located today.
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